ACTHA Monthly | March 2015| 29
ACTHA MEDAL PROGRAM
The "Unruly Outlaw" Earns Platinum
Dr. Susan Wingo and CatBar Bobby aka 'Cat'
participated in 4-H and Weekend Cutting. More recently, she has been riding and competing with ACTHA, racking up trail miles for the past 19 months.
"My formal training to refine my farmhand riding style, horsemanship and communication with my horse partner I now possess is largely due to listening and watching the many acquaintances and new friends I've made with ACTHA," Susan states.
Susan's regular ride on the trails is Cat Bar Bobby aka 'Cat'; ACTHA's newest Platinum Medal Award earner. Cat is a homegrown, family raised, now 15 year old mare Susan purchased as a yearling from her brother after several mishaps deemed her an outlaw and too unruly to be a trainable prospect.
Cat has proven not to be unruly, but mischievous, curious, very smart and a quick learner. She pulls pranks on the dogs, cats and even Susan's husband has been seen chasing a "very pleased with herself mare" tossing her head with his favorite gimme-
Dr. Susan Wingo lives on a small farm with her family on the Texas/ Louisiana state line near Shreveport where she is a Louisiana ER doctor. Susan's horse background began while growing up on a cattle ranch in the Sabine River bottoms of Northeast Texas. There she
cap in her mouth. "'That was when I abandoned teaching her the hat-pick-up trick," Susan remarks with a grin.
Cat and Susan have been a great team for years now which Susan believes is the 'secret' to their success. In riding with ACTHA, Cat has shown that the more complicated and spooky an obstacle is, the better she shines. Susan tells us, "I am so proud of my mischievous mare Cat, and myself for learning new riding skills, and our achievement of the Platinum Medal this year. You can bet we will be at the AOC's and CTC's continuing to reach our next goal!"
Cat pulls pranks on the dogs, cats and even Susan's husband