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Field wins best horseman award in Kentucky

Bradner-born man competed at Road to the Horse in Lexington
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Abbotsford's Jonathan Field (left) was awarded the Jack Brainard Best Horseman Award

An Abbotsford-born man returned from an international colt starting competition with the best horseman award.

Jonathan Field, who was raised in Bradner, competed at the Road to the Horse in Lexington, Ky. March 13-16. This event sees three or four elite horse trainers take untouched colts (any horse under three years of age that has never been saddled, etc.) and within four hours, guide them through an obstacle course using only "natural horsemanship" skills.

This is a system of developing a relationship with a horse, rather than breaking it. He doesn’t dominate the animal, but forms a partnership in which the horse wants to be with him.

Field's skills earned him the inaugural Jack Brainard Best Horseman Award for his overall performance during the competition. Brainard is a legend in the equestrian world, according to Field.

"It was a real honour to receive this honour from him," he said.

Brainard is considered a living legend in the equestrian community, he added.

Field splits his time between Abbotsford and the 600-acre James Creek Ranch in the Nicola Valley, which he owns with his father Larry.