A Native Texan Craig Cameron, one of the original clinicians, is on
the road more than 44 weeks a year covering 80,000 miles
demonstrating the style of horsemanship he has perfected in the last
23 years. Called the “public defender of the horse,” Craig dedicates
himself to those who educate their horses by first educating
themselves. At an age where most have long since retired the thought
of starting colts, Craig Cameron known as “The Cowboy’s Clinician,”
starts hundreds of horses each year; plus his four-day clinics held
at his ranches in Bluff Dale, TX and Lincoln, NM blend education
with entertainment. Clinic topics range from basic to advanced
horsemanship, colt starting, ranch and cattle work, problem-solving,
reining and trail obstacles. This year he plans to incorporate
horse-camping and back-country riding techniques into his lesson
plans.
Craig has created a program that builds confidence and trust between
man and horse. Rather than fight the animal, he offers patience and
understanding that leaves the horse wanting to do what is asked of
him. In the early 80’s Craig was fortunate to meet a man named Ray
Hunt who opened his eyes to the art of working through understanding
when training horses. Building upon his experiences, Craig uses a
philosophy of teaching that eliminates rough handling of horses
earning him a well-deserved international following.
Craig, a life-long rancher, working cowboy and horse trainer, has
just about done it all from cow-calf, stocker operations, custom
hay-baling, or capturing wild cattle for fe11ow ranchers. After
years of bull riding on the professional rodeo circuit and
successfully operating his cattle business Craig, decided that it
was truly the horse that attracted him. He soon discovered his
aptitude for communicating with the horse and meticulously refined
and nurtured this talent. He wanted to give back something to the
horse. When he was ready, he began conducting western horsemanship
clinics and demonstrations to help riders increase their knowledge
and understanding of their horse and to keep the cowboy tradition
alive.
Craig is headquartered out of his unique Double Horn Ranch in
Bluff Dale, TX and in Lincoln, NM.
Craig Cameron’s original entertaining and motivational style is
regularly sought after by TV, radio, magazine, fairs, ranches,
concerts, universities and many celebrities. Craig has worked with
and for such notables as Lynn Anderson, Ralph Lauren, Ty Murray,
Michael Martin Murphy, Cody Lambert, Bum Phillips, Charmayne James,
Bob Moorehouse, Buck Taylor and others. Singing artist Red Steagall
says, “Cameron’s year includes hundreds of public appearances
nationwide, in Europe and in the Canadian Provinces. He always
entertains the crowd and he’s as good with a horse as anybody I have
ever seen.”
His humility and fairness go a long way with horses and people
and by using the western way of life so successfully in his endeavor
to teach and communicate his skills, Craig is keeping our western
heritage alive. Craig has been a regular for many years at “Michael
Martin Murphy West- tests,” Amanllo Ranch Rodeo, National Cowboy
Symposium, Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium. Wichita falls Ranch
Rodeo. Edmonton Farmfair and Canadian National Finals Rodeo. Red
Steagall’s Cowboy Gatherings, Tulsa Farm Show, Oklahoma City Farm
Show, Midwest Agriland Farm Show, Minnesota Horse Expo, Michigan
Horse Expo, West Dakota Roundup, Abilene Western Heritage and many
other shows. Craig’s incredible brand of horsemanship has brought
him national sponsorships from such companies as Purina Mills,
Priefert Mfg., Sundowner Trailers, Polaris Ranger and Cowboy Tack.
Craig has a long line of horse handling products, including his
successful and very popular four-video collection Gentle Horse
Breaking, Dark into Light, Predator-Prey and his newest, Back to
Basics, are still being sold world-wide. He introduces in 2004 his
new book and a new line of products.
Craig’s hard work has not gone unnoticed In 2002, he was awarded
the prestigious Working Cowboy of the Year award by the American
Cowboy Culture Awards Committee, he was one of only three men
selected to participate in the First Whisper Challenge Competition
in August of 2002. Craig is also featured weekly in Hoof Beats on
cable TV and is a regular on R-FD-TV. Cameron’s cowboy humor, often
compared to Will Rogers, and his common sense approach (Craig calls
it horse-sense) are opening the eyes of horses and horse enthusiasts
world-wide. Put to the test by countless numbers of tough horses,
Craig Cameron is still going strong. He was recently asked by a
reporter, “I guess you are going to “ride until hell freezes over.”
Craig’s reply, “When hell freezes over, I am going to start riding
on ice,” The reporter’s response, “...and that’s Craig Cameron.”
“Craig has a genuine love and compassion for horses. He respects
them enough to try to see through their eyes.” -- Ty Murray