2024 Best of Western Horseman: People
Futurity Trainers | Western Media | Western Icons | Photographers
There is an old saying, “Never meet your heroes,” but in this case it doesn’t apply. These folks are people you’ve probably met, whether it was in the arena, at a tradeshow or through a mutual friend. They take the photos on your walls, cover the rodeos you watch and help you get the best out of your horses. To know them is to love them. These are the 2024 Western Horseman Best of People winners.
Photography by Faith Skinner.
Best of Futurity Trainers Winner: Todd Crawford
With a career spanning decades, Todd Crawford stands as a pillar of expertise and innovation in the National Reined Cow Horse Association community. From his early days riding to becoming a sought-after trainer and coach, Crawford has dedicated his life to perfecting the art of training and showing cow horses.
“Training horses is choosing to work 20-hour days so we never have to work an eight-hour day,” Crawford says.
His long career has resulted in some of the most elite futurity, aged event and bridle horses. As a $2 million rider and counting, his list of achievements goes on, but Crawford’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the show pen. As a respected clinician and mentor, he shares his wealth of knowledge with aspiring riders and trainers, helping them hone their skills and achieve their own success in the sport. His clinics are known for their practical insights and hands-on approach, making him a trusted figure in the NRCHA community. Whether he’s guiding a young horse through its first maneuvers or coaching a seasoned competitor to victory, Crawford remains at the forefront of excellence in NRCHA.
Best of Futurity Trainers Runner-Up: Andy Holcomb
Honing his craft since he was just 13 years old, it’s no wonder Andy Holcomb has become a household name in the world of futurity roping. Before focusing on catching horns or heels, Holcomb focused on how to get a horse shows well. This was a result of his experience with the American Quarter Horse Association. He chose showing horses over rodeo, and that decision was likely the main thing that set the trajectory and paved the way for his successful career in the roping pen.
“It’s absolutely unbelievable getting this nomination,” says Holcomb, who operates out of Aromas, California. “There are so many great trainers out there that I can’t believe I’m good enough to compete with them. This is truly an honor.”
Even though Holcomb is a talented roper, he specializes in training horses that take care of their rider on both ends. He builds their confidence so their next owners can feel confident while competing, too.
Holcomb is quick to give credit to his crew who keep things flowing both at home and on the road. His wife, Fallon, gets a special tribute for her role as the business manager. Holcomb said he is proof that it takes a top-notch crew to excel in any profession, but especially as a trainer of young horses.
Best of Futurity Trainers Honorable Mention: Joseph Harrison
Like most cowboys of his generation, Joseph Harrison can’t imagine doing anything else for a living than roping cattle and riding horses at home in Marietta, Oklahoma. It wasn’t until Harrison turned 16 that he finally realized he could make that dream a reality once he started riding with Bobby Lewis.
While Harrison’s grandpa, uncle and dad all roped and rode horses, he credits Lewis with the horsemanship skills he still used today as he trains young prospects for the futurity and show pens.
“I’m so appreciative of this distinction from the readers of Western Horseman; it’s confirmation that I’m doing what I’m supposed to be, and I’m doing it the right way,” Harrison says.
After six trips to the National Finals Rodeo, Harrison shifted his focus to developing young horses with the long-range goal of seeing them compete at the Thomas and Mack Center Arena someday. Perhaps the most important skill Harrison gleaned from Lewis — an AQHA Professional Horseman — is the know-how and experience that keeps him from “overcooking the bacon” in most cases.
Photography by Rodeobum.com.
Best of Western Media Winner: Amy Wilson
Amy Wilson is a Kansas native who now calls Texas home. She grew up on her family’s farm and ranch operation and especially enjoyed building her own cattle herd. She worked at the sale barn and spent countless hours in the tractor, but her favorite place has always been on the back of a good horse. In 2007, she was crowned Miss Rodeo Kansas, and the following year, Miss Rodeo America. She went on to earn her degree in Media Arts and rodeoed professionally while pursuing her career in media.
With more than 10 years as a leading television personality, Wilson has served as host of RFD-TVs Western Sports Roundup, a sideline reporter for The American Rodeo, as well as a behind-the-chutes reporter at live Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events, including the National Finals Rodeo. In 2022, she was awarded the Legacy of the West — Media Award.
In 2024, Wilson started a new chapter in her career when she joined the Equine Network’s Western Sports Group as Western Sports Media Director. Wilson’s expertise in the Western industry carried her to the new venture where she will join Equine Network Executive Director of Western Sports Group Marketing Dru Stewart as a host of the Priefert Sports Desk, a staple at major events like the Ariat World Series of Team Roping Finale, USTRC Cinch National Finals of Team Roping, The Patriot Events and the Cinch Timed Event Championship.
“I feel so blessed to get to live this life, and I’m sincerely grateful for the kindness and support from so many wonderful people,” Wilson says. “As always, I’m excited about what’s to come but also enjoying the moment.”
Best of Western Media Runner-Up: Kendra Santos
Without uttering a sound, her words travel far and wide, carrying with them not only news about the rodeo world but also emotion and kindness that only comes from living right in the middle of it.
Kendra Santos was inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 2023, and rightfully so, as she’s something of a legend in her own right as a devoted and accomplished writer. Ranching and rodeo run five generations deep for this Creston, California, cowgirl. She’s the type of writer who isn’t afraid to tackle a delicate subject while remaining educational and inviting to her audience.
“My career as a rodeo journalist actually found me when Hall of Fame announce Bob Tallman tipped off the [Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association] about me, and they hired me straight out of college at Cal Poly,” says Santos, who has spent much of her career working for both the PRCA and Professional Bull Riders. “It means a lot to have earned the trust of the cowboys and cowgirls I write about, and I’m honored every time my passion for rodeo is recognized. But what I’m most proud of are my two cowboy sons, Lane and Taylor.”
Best of Western Media Honorable Mention: Ann Bleiker
No matter where you come from — even Texline, Texas, with only eight students in the graduating class some years — if you’re dedicated and willing to work, you can make anything happen. That’s what Ann Bleiker, now a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, has learned in her decorated career that can only be described as a one-stop-shop for all things Western media.
A career in sports was inevitable for this Texas A&M University graduate, but Bleiker couldn’t have predicted it would be with rodeo.
“I’ll try just about anything if it means I can learn something new; it’s been fun to see the commonality between different sports and how they’re all related,” Bleiker says.
Now, as a freelancer, Bleiker doesn’t necessarily have a job title. She has the skills and experience to handle anything related to event management and promotion. She’s an accomplished writer, but it’s her skills as a multi-media communicator that put Bleiker over the top.
Photography by Ross Hecox.
Best of Western Icons Winner: Red Steagall
There may not be anyone more steeped in cowboy culture than Red Steagall, cowboy singer, songwriter, poet, and well-known television and radio personality. Name a Western award or cowboy honor, and you can bet Steagall’s name is there among the other greats; in this case, it’s Best of Western Horseman. For Steagall, living the Western lifestyle is just part and parcel of who he is and has always been.
“There’s nothin’ in life that’s worth doin’ if it can’t be done from a horse,” Steagall says.
Best of Western Icons Runner-Up: Trevor Brazile
He’s probably roped more steers and calves successfully than just about anyone who’s ever competed in professional rodeo. Trevor Brazile personifies ProRodeo for more than just the titles he’s won. Always a trailblazer, Brazile’s forging a new path as a horse trainer, breeder and showman.
He’s iconic for the simple fact that he did what absolutely nobody had ever done before him: win 26 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world championships. Some call the Decatur, Texas, cowboy the world’s greatest cowboy, while an elite few refer to him as a son, dad, husband and friend. Only Brazile can decide which one fo those means the most to him, but being recognized as an icon by the Western Horseman audience is almost as unexpected as his very first world title in 2002.
“Even though I’m not out there rodeoing, I’m still trying to put out content to help not only the next generation of competitors but anyone who has an affinity for this way of life,” Brazile says. “This type of reader-voted recognition means a lot just in and of itself, but it also tell me that’s been well received, and I don’t take this type of honor lightly. I want to thank everyone who voted and Western Horseman for this opportunity.”
Best of Western Icons Honorable Mention: Bob Tallman
His voice is unmistakable, his demeanor classic and his character iconic. Bob Tallman has dedicated his life to the Western industry as a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association announcer. He’s been on the microphone at every major event in North America and has taken the reins on several continents.
Originally, Tallman thought he’d become a rodeo professional, much like Ty Murray or Trevor Brazile. However Tallman found his niche in the crow’s nest.
“I’m really big on trying to make the right side of people known; it’s not just about what they did … It’s about their character, their family, their try, their dedication,” Tallman says. “What I try to do is tell stories of the realities of yesterday and today while praising tomorrow. It’s very flattering to be honored by the readers of Western Horseman.“
Educating competitors and audiences alike about the heritage and spirit of the West has been Tallman’s trademark. What truly sets this legend apart and opens the door for this honor is the heart the Poolville, Texas, native puts behind everything he does.
Photograph courtesy of Phyllis Burchett.
Best of Photographers Winner: Phyllis Burchett
Phyllis Burchett was part-owner and manager of Burchett Equine Center for more than 30 years. As a professional horse trainer, Burchett’s horses and clients won numerous world and national titles along with year-end high point awards. She was the breeding manager, standing up to 14 stallions each year, managing the collection and breeding operation, and overseeing the mares foaling.
Burchett started photography as an enthusiastic hobbyist in 2003, shooting mostly wildlife and landscapes. However, she turned back to her roots as a horsewoman and now primarily focuses on the ranching lifestyle.
She’s passionate about photography and has a huge respect for ranch horses. Burchett is one-third of the trio comprising the group Cowgirls with Cameras. Three friends formed this group to help promote the Western lifestyle through photography, with a podcast and yearly photography events throughout the U.S.
“I feel like horses are the soul of the West, and I’m honored to have the privilege to capture them with my camera,” Burchett says.
She also currently hosts an Equine Photo Tour to Iceland each year. Burchett loves to share her knowledge of photography with students through her weekly newsletter, mentorship, workshops and clinics.
Best of Photographers Runner-Up: EC Equine Marketing — Elizabeth Clymer
Sometimes, all it takes is a little submersion. That’s how Elizabeth Clymer first emerged as a social media guru and has quickly become a notable photographer in the performance horse community.
What began in 2019 working for Todd Crawford has now become a full-blown marketing agency, EC Equine Marketing of Granbury, Texas. Creating content out of thin air and photographing horses takes more than just fancy equipment; it also requires a keen sense of what the industry wants and a knack for pushing the envelope occasionally.
“I’m not afraid to go outside the box of what might be traditional in our industry in order to bring other people from the outside in,” Clymer says. “This is the biggest honor of my career so far, and to even be considered alongside these other accomplished photographers is special. I appreciate everyone who voted for me and Western Horseman for recognizing so many talents in the Western industry.”
Best of Photographers Honorable Mention: Nicole Poyo Brennan
Growing up with horses, Nicole Poyo Brennan pursued a degree in photography and digital media but never expected those two interests to intersect as a career. Luckily, Brennan found her way to the cutting pen after riding hunter jumpers for most of her life. Starting colts and understanding horsemanship from the saddle became an integral part of Brennan’s life. This background proves beneficial each time Brennan gets behind the lens as she’s searching for the same point of release that her horseback subjects are after.
“I’m always trying to honor the horse and their rider and portray that relationship accurately in the photos I take, no matter if it’s an action shot or a profile for a sale ad,” Brennan says. “I remember being a teenager and picking up a Western Horseman for the first time. I never could’ve imagined this was the path my life would take. This honor is surreal, and it gives me hope that my images are communicating what I want them to and that they resonate with the readers.”
The post 2024 Best of Western Horseman: People appeared first on Western Horseman.