Shooting HorseShooting Horse
Ricochet
Owner: Chad Little, champion CMSA rider, bought him in 2002. The horse had never been used for shooting at that point.
Particulars: Registered Quarter Horse. Black bay. Sired in 1995.
Wins: CMSA Eastern, Western and National Championships. Set 10 world records, four of which still stand.
Partnership: “I was pretty sure right off [that the two would form a successful team],” says Little. “I first rode him in competition in the pro at the 2003 Worlds, and I knew he was special.”
What Makes Him Special: “There are a lot of horses that are really fast, but most of them can’t give ‘er all they’ve got, drag a leg and change directions and go the other way like he can,” Little says. “They’ve gotta drop speed before they can turn. Not Ricochet.”
Workouts: “He don’t get rode nearly as much as he should—we’ve got 30 head to ride at our place. So he just kinda sits there and I ride him a couple of times a week, is all. And during the winter, well, I haven’t been on him in two months [as of late January]. I’ll pull him out in another month or so and go right to winning on him. There’ve been times where he’ll go three weeks and never be touched, then go out and win a big title. That’s something special about him.”
Diet: Ricochet consumes a lot of hay—all that he can eat. But there’s no special feed formula. And he gets no supplements.
Future: Little plans to ride Ricochet as long as he’s competitive. “Around 15 or 16 years old, you expect them to lose a bit, according to Little. “But heart goes a long ways. I don’t expect to see him lose any time soon.” Still, Chad is keeping his eye open for a horse that can pick up the mantle when Ricochet goes to pasture.  Related posts:
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