ROAD TO THE HORSE 2025
March 27-30th 2025​
Lexington, Kentucky
This Year​
In 2017, Vicki Wilson was the first New Zealander to win the coveted World Championship colt starting competition at Road to the Horse in the USA. Vicki then went on to defend her title at Road to the Horse 2018, making her the back-to-back World Champion of Colt Starting. In March 2025, Vicki returns to the Road to the Horse arena for the fourth time to compete as a Championship Competitor at the Kentucky Horse Park.
“I am excited to return to Road to the Horse to work with an essentially blank canvas, create my own masterpiece and showcase what can be done with a beautiful unhandled Pitchfork Ranch colt,” Wilson says. “I look forward to putting everything I have learned over the last few years into practice, improving my horsemanship and building a fun relationship with a unique horse.”
“We’re excited to welcome Vicki Wilson back to Road to the Horse in 2025,” Morris Equine Group President Tina Battock says. “The horse is at the forefront of all we do at Road to the Horse. Not only is Wilson a fierce competitor, but she is a shining advocate for the horse. We are grateful to have her join us in 2025.”
Background​
Road to the Horse was founded in 2003 by Steven and Tootie Bland, both highly accomplished horse trainers, rodeo, and stunt riders. They had a message they wanted to share with the world: build trust with your horse and be amazed how much more both of you will accomplish. Four equine trainers compete over three days to train an untouched 3-year-old American Quarter Horse under saddle. Not only do spectators enjoy watching the progress of the colt starting rounds, but each competitor spends time displaying their methods through clinics and demonstrations in front of the arena audience. With the title of World Champion Colt Starter comes a cash prize, a gold and silver belt buckle and an artisan saddle.
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View the Road to the Horse website here:
Past Success​
It was Road to the Horse 2017 when fans first met New Zealander and international show jumper Vicki Wilson. After dislocating her shoulder during the competition, Vicki didn’t just finish the challenge, but also claimed her first World Championship of Colt Starting title. She went on to bring her competition horse, Kentucky, home to New Zealand. In 2018, Vicki returned to defend her crown, joining an elite list of competitors who have captured back-to-back Road to the Horse titles. This time however, each competitor was required to pick two colts instead of just one, whom she named Kiwi and NZ.
Both of Vicki’s wins were historic and added to a list of firsts for the coveted event, including:
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First rider from the English discipline to compete in and win Road to the Horse.
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First New Zealander to compete in and win Road to the Horse.
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First rider to jump bareback in the Freestyle.
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First rider to wear a helmet.
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First rider to use an English saddle.
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First rider to do body work on their colt.
