“To me, cutting is the epitome of horsemanship. The horse has a job and knows the job, the rider and the horse have to work together and trust each other. The rider gives some cues and a little direction but then has to let the horse loose to do their job. The horse has to trust the rider not to get them into danger or the wrong position. It’s a balance. And, there is no other ride that is so exhilarating than the feel of the cutting horse working a cow.” – Mick Rankin, discussing cutting
I had the pleasure of riding in a cattle clinic with Mick Rankin, and seeing firsthand his expertise on horseback. A quiet gentleman, Rankin and his equally laidback partner, Anchor, are all business when it comes to cattle, making them an impressive combination in the cutting arena and in the local community. While they look like they’ve been working cows all their lives, both horse and rider had separate adventures before meeting.
For Rankin, it was a life of service in the United States Navy. One of his first exposures to horses came while on a non-traditional trail ride in Alaska with his wife Jenny for their 25th wedding anniversary. The ride was atypical for its kind; unstructured, and full of adventure. Their mounts helped them to explore the area around Seward, a place that had been destroyed by the tsunami and earthquake of the early 1900s. After their return home, the memory of the fun lingered. A few years later, Mick’s wife Jenny started taking riding lessons, and Mick discovered he had a knack for the hobby as well. As they both progressed, he purchased his first horse, and it knew a thing or two about cattle. This horse had been started on cutting, and Mick located a nearby trainer to get more insights into his horses’ skills and the sport.
Luckily, the trainer happened to be former president of the National Cutting Horse Association Chuck Smith. Smith worked with Rankin and this horse, and after a while they made a deal to trade for a horse that would be a better fit for Rankins style. This mare, Darby, took Rankin through lessons three times a week and eventually the pair were able to compete together at the AQHA Congress. While this seems like a capstone event, it was only the beginning for Rankin and his cutting pursuits.
Another Navy transfer came down the line, and the Rankins relocated to Millington, TN, which is a town close to Memphis. While looking for a local trainer, Mick found another significant mentor when he discovered trainer Zeke Entz. Through weekly work with Entz, Mick and the mare Darby became regular competitors at the ArenaOne in Batesville, MS. As Mick continued to refine his own skills, he realized he was a little ahead of Darby with his understanding of the sport, and yet not quite far enough ahead to train her. He needed another horse for his own pursuits and goals. Entz knew of a horse that seemed like the right fit and Rankin soon discovered an interesting coincidence: the horse had a brand that was the symbol of an anchor as a result of his raising on the Billy Martin Ranch in Texas. Although he had a registered name of Alpha Omega 072, and had previously been referred to as PITA (pain-in-the-ass-colt), Anchor became his name, and the Rankins welcomed this finished cutting horse into their lives. Mick and Anchor synced well, and even took home a check at their first competition together in Batesville. They went on to show at the AQHA Congress and took 19th place, an exciting accomplishment for the two new friends.
The Navy called again, and this time the horses and the Rankins moved to Norfolk, VA. Later, Mick retired, and he and Jenny built their home place in eastern NC, bringing the spirit of the Navy to the countryside with the aptly named “Following Seas Ranch.”
His love for cutting remains, and when not riding horses Rankin is often spending time with family or engaging his other passion: politics. His approach to political office seems to be much like the way he represents the cutting horse industry: by making it accessible to the people, and transparent. Like cutting, in politics, it is best to get to the point and not make unnecessary comments and movements.
Mick, Jenny, and lots of wonderful four legged critters keep Following Seas afloat, and continue to be ambassadors for an exciting sport. Check out a few more fun facts about Mick below.
And Mick: thank you for your service to our country!
A few fun facts from Mick
On the name of the ranch:
In the Navy there is an old saying when we say goodbye to someone – Fair Winds and Following Seas. It comes from sailing ship days when you needed good winds to reach your destination and following seas gives a good ride. My wife’s uncle is a retired Naval Aviator and called his place in Snow Hill “Fair Winds”. I felt as a Surface Warfare officer the name “Following Seas” was appropriate.
Heroes in the Horse World:
Well, Chuck Smith is the first, followed by Zeke Entz. They both really helped me and encouraged me. I have to mention a few people I have met along the way like Tracy Barton, Deb Bicknell, Mary T, Dr. Bob Meyer, The King’s at 5K Arena, and many others. They all are heroes because they offer their help and advice without expecting anything in return. I feel like horse people are good like that. I have added Pedro and Gracie (Cavvietta Quarter Horse and Cattle Co.) to my hero list because of such a great place they run and are so wonderful to work with.
