LEON HARREL: The Making of a Legend
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Amidst the wild game and lush river bottom land on the South
Canadian River in Oklahoma on his family’s historic Bar X
Ranch, Leon Harrel learned to respect the land and animals
alike. His father and grandfather were farmers and
cattlemen; they put Leon in a saddle as soon as he could
walk. They instilled in Leon the intrinsic principles of
life and the value of the hard work it takes to maintain it,
along with the worth of true friendships.
After moving to California at age 16, Leon
became involved in rodeo for a while and developed a natural
ability in many sports. He then began training race horses,
but missed the western element of the horse world that he
loved so much. Leon then discovered the
mesmerizing grace and beauty of the cutting horse, and he
turned his focus to this discipline. In 1968 he devoted
himself exclusively to the cutting horse industry. The
strength and cunning intelligence of these athletic horses
challenged Leon and fueled his dreams. In 1971 Leon
purchased his first training facility in Oakdale,
California. In 1983 he made the move to Kerrville, Texas
where he and his family set up a ranch in the hill country.
Leon then began developing many aspects of
education by utilizing western lifestyle philosophy, cutting
horse training, and horsemanship skills. His programs
included Leon Harrel Cutting Clinics, Old West Adventures,
personal coaching with his “One Mind and Beyond” program,
and professional team coaching. He has perfected and
promoted his education, mentoring, consulting, team-building
and apprenticeship programs across the United States as well
as Australia, Canada, Italy and Germany. Leon authored a
book titled “Cutting,” published by Western Horseman. This
popular book, printed in English and several foreign
languages, was the first step-by-step guide to this popular
family sport. Leon has produced successful instructional
videos since 1982. He has been the headliner at leading
equine expos and has appeared in television specials on
RFD-TV. Leon continues to share his vast knowledge today
through cutting clinics, show teams and professional
coaching.
Leon has realized his dreams many times over with five World
Championships and has accumulated a remarkable list of
achievements, some of which include:
OFFICES HELD
• NCHA - President 1981
• NCHA – Lifetime Honorary Vice President Induction 1982
• NCHA – Executive Member1974-1981
• NCHA – Lifetime Director Inducted in 1981
• PCCHA – President 1974-1975
• PCCHA – Executive Member 1970-79
• PCCHA – Lifetime Director Inducted in 1975
CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES
• AUGUSTA Futurity Open 1997 Championship – Flip’s Angel
• NCHA WORLD CHAMPION – OPEN – Doc’s Playmate
• NCHA WORLD FUTURITY CHAMPION – Doc’s Yuba Lea
• NCHA WORLD CHAMPION MARE – Doc’s Playmate
• NCHA WORLD CHAMPION MARE – Fizzabar
• NCHA CLASSIC CHAMPION – Oak’s Doll
• NCHA CHALLENGE CHAMPION – Nu & Sassy
• NCHA WORLD FUTURITY CHAMPION
• NCHA 1997 OPEN CHAMPION – Colonel Flip Incentive Program
• NCHA 1997 OPEN CHAMPION of Augusta Futurity
• AQHA World Champion Junior Cutting Stallion – NuBar
• PACIFIC COAST FUTURITY – Gal O’Nu Bar
• WEST TEXAS AMARILLO FUTURITY – Doc Red Lynx
• LOUISIANA FUTURITY – Pav’s Playmate
• GREAT WEST FUTURITY – Doc’s Nina and Oakie Poo Bar
NCHA HALL OF FAME
• Leon Harrel – Inducted 1989
• Doc’s Playmate – Inducted 1979
• Fizzabar – Inducted 1971
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