Sunrise West Links - Other web sites we Endorse
We are very particular about what sites are listed here. This is not merely a "trade links" page. These sites are those of friends and products we endorse and use.
National Pole Bending Association (NPBA)
The National Pole Bending Association was established in 2005, and the first annual NPBA national championship show was held in 2006, where over 150 horses competed for over $30,000.
National shows have been held every year since. This organization and its approved shows gives folks a reason to go on with those good high school horses, and provides places for pole benders to compete for real dollars.
Also, there are several independent pole bending futurities in the west, with substantial added money. Ken Smith of Sunrise West Quarter Horses was one of the founding members of the NPBA. The NPBA web site has all the information. To visit the NPBA site, click on the following link:
polebending.org (link opens in a new window).
Wayne Sandberg
A horseman most of his life, Wayne devoted many years to detailed research and experimentation in the speed events, specializing in pole bending. He is the author of the book, Nineteen Second Pole Bending. Learn more about the book and where to order it here >>. Wayne helped us greatly on our pole bending journey, and on our clinics page, you can read more about Wayne and his contributions.
Rope Halters, Lead Ropes, Finger Whips
This is the site for Jacklynn Matthews's Tahoe Tack, pronounced "tay' hoe" (it's an Idaho thing). Jackie makes the highest quality halters and leads available anywhere.
We want halters for training with stiff thin rope for some bite, we want lead ropes that won't burn our hands, thick enough to hold on to, long enough to help us work a horse, and we want hardware that is strong and easy to operate.
You can pay more, but you can't buy higher quality anywhere. That is why we endorse and use these halters and leads.
She also makes a great finger whip that hangs on the back of your middle finger, hands free for the reins - quick action, always available, and you will never drop it!
To order equipment, contact her at this email address:
Omoksee (National Saddle Clubs of America NSCA)
Omoksee is a gaming club where horses compete in lanes, most often 2 or 3 lanes, so for example pole bending horses run on parallel patterns side by side with other horses, but each lane is timed start to finish independently. Omoksee poles are run on a normal 21 foot pattern but with a 60 foot start. Times are about 2 seconds longer than for a standard pattern. Poles are 5 feet in height. Riders cannot grasp or steady a pole with the hands.
Idaho State Omoksee ISCA (link opens in a new window).National Omoksee NSCA (link opens in a new window).