The Horse and Rider Matchmaker
Not only does Pat Hooper have a knack for matching materials in his saddle making business for beautiful, quality leatherworks, but he knows how to pair people and horses together to elevate strengths and patch weaknesses for the greatest level of success. During cowboy Christmas this year, two of his recently matched pairs were cashing checks out west and down south.
Chainlink Cruising at Cheyenne Frontier Days
Jeremy Burkhalter is a high school basketball coach from Texas who rodeos in the summer. A steer wrestler who was having a hard time with his current horse, Pat knew that a quirky horse called Chainlink would be just the right fit for him. In fact, Pat was so confident in the fit that he told Jeremy if Jeremy wouldn’t consider Chainlink he might as well not bother to ever call him about a horse again. While Chainlink is not the perfect horse in the corner, he is a star in the field. With a rider that can ride him in the box, everything else is smooth and easy (hence the name “Chainlink.”) Trained by Tucker Alberts in Michigan, Chainlink has found a good fit with Jeremy and has just about paid off his purchase price with his Cowboy Christmas earnings. The duo placed at a couple of rodeos in Colorado, won a few in Texas, and then made the short go and placed a round in Cheyenne.
Maaco Making His Way Across Alabama
Sam Lewis is a member of the University of West Alabama rodeo team who was referred to Pat when his horse died. He came and stayed for a few days at Pat’s place in Athens, Texas, and connected with a horse named Maaco. Then Sam and Maaco went home and put their partnership to the test–and qualified for the circuit finals.
For these teams, it is only the beginning! In the meantime, Pat is looking for the next perfect pairing with the horses and riders he knows.
All photo credit to the respective photographers.
