Denise Shewmaker: UCHA Saddle Series Champion, 2005
Denise Shewmaker is the kind of person I am always happy to see. She is positive, upbeat, encouraging and very handy. She can fix anything from the AC in your living quarters trailer to a piece of broken tack.
This real live cowgirl and grandmother has been a part of the ICHA (on and off) since the 1980’s. In 2005 Denise and her 4 year old gelding, “I’m Little and Smart” , were the UCHA saddle and buckle winners and the ICHA buckle winners in the $3,000 Novice Non-Pro class. They were third in the UCHA Futurity and Aged Event Derby.
Denise balances cutting, ranch work, dog training and family life. She and her husband Dan live near Kimberly, ID. Denise, however, spends a significant part of her year in central California where she and her cousin have been feeding, doctoring and calving our 300 head of mother cows for over 20 years. It is a job for an independent sort; her motto is “If you want something done –best tend to it yourself.”
Denise is also an accomplished dog trainer. She has been involved with “Stock dog” competition and demonstration, providing the annual working dog demo at the Filer Fair. Denise feels her dogs have given her insight into the art of working cattle, an obvious advantage in the cutting pen.
She breeds, raises and shows her own cutting horses. Her colts spend time on the ranch doing “real” work. Then trainer, Brian Anderson of Idaho Falls, has the responsibility of making them “show horses”.
Denise is already off to a good start this show year with a couple of good horses to haul and a 3 year old in the wings. She plans to show as much as her busy schedule will allow. All the best, Denise, for 2006!