January 15, 2007

Travis Heare To Receive Jane Tatum Award

There is a treasure-trove of awards given each year at the National Reined Cow Horse Association World Champion Awards Banquet. They represent different degrees and levels of accomplishment for horse and rider. But one award will be given, as in past years, not for a particular achievement on a horse, but for a lifestyle of class and good sportsmanship.

The Jane Tatum Award was begun over a decade ago to honor its namesake, a Non Pro who had also worked tirelessly as a member of the NRCHA Board of Directors. She had the compassion to help others but was a fierce competitor, as well, and her gritty personality helped her overcome her physical limitations. Since her death, she stands as the NRCHA’s example of all the good that comes from honest competition

To receive the Jane Tatum award a person must be nominated by his or her peers. Nominations are reviewed and voted on by the NRCHA Non Pro Committee.

NRCHA Non Pro Committee Chairman Dave Archer announced recently, "This year Travis Heare, of Kersey, Colorado, will receive the Jane Tatum Award. For this award, the Non Pro Committee looks for a person who has experienced a physical challenge, who is compassionate, gritty, and who is a fierce competitor. We believe that Travis is all of these things, with the exception of one. Instead of fierce competitor, he is a good natured competitor. It is rare to find him angry or disappointed. He always finds the good in what ever happened in the show ring!”

A physician, himself, Heare underwent surgery for a lumbar fusion in mid-April. Ten days later, he was still recovering but that didn’t stop him from attending shows and supporting his fellow exhibitors, either by being in the stands or holding horses at the gate.

Although he was slated to be out of commission for at least 6 months, he was back to riding in early June, and showing by August. His dedication paid off. Travis marked his highest scores ever at a major event on a 3-year-old on his 2006 futurity colt, Kit Duals Trouble.

Travis enjoys doing most of his own training – although he did get some help from Cathy Coleman this year during his convalescence.

Jennifer Unzicker, a NRCHA Non Pro Committee member from Colorado, was quick to praise Heare. “He has always exhibited a great amount of support for our local affiliate the Colorado RCA. This support did not weaken in the time that he was temporarily out of commission. During our events he was available to lend a hand whenever a hand was needed. I was also amazed at how he was able to fast track his recovery so he could show his horse and be a part of things”.

The National Reined Cow Horse Association, the governing body of cow horse competition, is responsible for promoting the sport, insuring high standards of competition and educating members and the public about the history and tradition of the cow horse. Through the support of a Corporate Partner family that includes Bayer Corporation, Bob's Custom Saddles, Cinch, Inc., Classic Equine, MD Barns, Platinum Performance, Inc., Nutrena, Skyline Gold and Silversmiths, Bloomer Trailer Mfg., Quarter Horse News & Performance Horse magazine, the Peppermill Hotel Casino, Farnam products Vetrolin Liniment and Farnam dewormers IverCare, ComboCare, LiquiCare P and Continuex, Fort Dodge West Nile Innovator, Rios of Mercedes, Merial products ULCERGARD and GASTROGARD, Great American Insurance Company and the Silver Legacy Hotel, the association works to keep the vaquero tradition alive in today’s equine industry. For information on the National Reined Cow Horse Association, call 580-759-4949 or visit the NRCHA Official Web Site at www.nrcha.com.