Millarville’s John Swales lassos Cowboy crown
A Calgary-area man is the first Canadian to win the World’s Greatest Horseman title after competing in Fort Worth, Texas, last Saturday.
John Swales, of Millarville, came home with $35,000 after edging out his closest competitor, Luke Jones, by 4.5 points. It was quite the birthday gift as Swales turned 41 the day before final.
“It was amazing to actually be able to do it,” Swales said. “Any of the finalists could have won on any given day.”
The competition, held by the National Reined Cow Horse Association, consists of four events: herd work, rein work, steer stopping and cow work, otherwise known as fencing.
Swales entered the semifinals in first place out of 36 competitors until his horse took a fall in the last event, placing him in 10th — the lowest possible spot to continue to finals.
Swales started with a clean slate in the championship, but it wasn’t an easy ride.
During the fourth and final event, Swales blew his left stirrup and had to finish the event with only one working support.
Stephanie Duquette, an NRCHA spokeswoman, said that despite the hitch, Swales impressed the judges.
“There was a couple of horse and rider combos that were in striking distance of the championship but John’s fence work with Spark left no doubt he had earned the championship with the horse,” she said.
Swales rode Heza Diamond Spark, the offspring of champion parents.
“He’s very tough and very durable,” Swales said of his mount.
Swales previously made the final four times before winning the title this year.