Legends are Made of These

By Rita Thompson Tinsley

Sweet success might seem illusive until you discover the most important keys. True passion, determination, and a whole lot of sweat. That’s what these legendary horsemen/and woman have in common, each from very humble to modest means.

Ben Balow grew up in Skull Valley, a rural ranch community west of Prescott where his family were fifth generation ranchers. At 12, Ben got his first job working at the Cross U Ranch, where Rancher Bill Murphy taught Ben the ropes. At 16, Ben was starting horses for neighbors as he and a friend began a small business selling the trained colts.

Early on, Ben decided he wanted to work for a big horse-training operation, so he headed for the Phoenix show barns with a bedroll in his truck and an unrelenting dream in his heart. Eager and determined, Ben drove for days before a trainer enlisted his services. He worked cleaning stalls, eventually riding horses, sleeping in a concrete stall bunk and getting paid very little. He went to horse shows where he initially witnessed a reining horse ridden to a sliding stop.

Trainer Brett Stone showed reining horses so that’s where Ben needed to be. He worked hard for Stone, learning a tremendous amount and putting in long hours.

Hearing of legendary reining guru Bill Horn, who lived in Ohio where the reining industry began, Balow called Bill to see if he could come observe his training and offer to pay for the privilege. After earning enough money, Ben flew to Ohio to meet Horn who sadly didn’t remember the call. However, he kindly refused Ben’s money and Balow eventually got his dream job working and learning more about reining techniques from Bill and riding great horses.

Three years later, Ben returned to Skull Valley to open his training barn where, “I got extremely busy extremely fast,” says Balow.

Client Susan Nibley trained with Ben for 25 years, winning a world championship on the horse that Ben had chosen and trained. Aside from living his dream as a successful trainer, Ben received his NRHA Judges Card and has enjoyed traveling to many places and five different continents.

Rhonda Sedgwick Stearns was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame in 1977. She grew up on a Wyoming ranch southwest of Newcastle on Mush Creek. At the age of two, she won her first horsemanship award and went on to become a champion barrel racer, rodeo queen, rodeo organist, and published western writer. At 17, Rhonda won the Miss Horsemanship title in the Miss Rodeo America competition.

One most cherished memory she shares is that of acquiring her beloved horse, Leo. Rhonda attended the 1960 QH sale at Denver’s Western Stock Show with her parents when three-year-old General Leo was led into the ring.

Rhonda reports, “There was something about this horse that almost stopped my heart. I felt like he looked right at me once for a few seconds, and I stared back trying to telegraph the words “Be calm, it’s okay.” Finally, Rhonda heard the gavel bang to the tune of “Sold to the gentleman in the black hat,” she recalls, as the auctioneer pointed to Rhonda’s dad.

According to Stearn’s “That moment was the amazing beginning of a precious love story. He truly loved me as I truly loved him.” She continues, “I’d never before, nor have I since, bonded so deeply to a horse.”

Rhonda went on to ride many a horse. After she and her beloved husband Will had free time, they helped others by day ranching for free when they could afford gas. They loved life on a good horse and enjoyed the work. Rhonda continues to live and breathe the western heritage that she conveys so eloquently in her writings.

Gary Gang’s first memory on a horse was when a door-to-door salesman with a pony took his picture in the saddle. He loved western movies and the horses that brought action and true adventure to life.

As a young man in West Virginia, Gary and a friend noticed riding stables nearby and began riding every morning before work. Soon, Gang moved to Hollywood, California for work. Gary’s boss Arnie decided to take up polo, and since Gary had horse experience, he was awarded the duty of grooming and warming up Arnie’s polo pony.

Gary was able to find perfect boarding for the horse at Mark Smith’s Stables in Burbank. The place not only fit the bill but opened a lifelong friendship between Gary and Mark Smith.

Gang eventually moved into the stables and worked for Mark starting horses and riding client horses. This offered an amazing training field for Gang to learn more about riding. Mark taught him Roman Riding (standing on two galloping horses’ backs), trick riding, and driving.

Along the way, Gary acquired great mounts like Leto, an Arabian cross bay and his Roman Riding pair, palominos Topper and Sargeant. Topper was Gary’s favorite, while Sargeant was one of the horses appearing in the movie Tombstone.

Leaving California with wife Karen, the couple landed at ranch acreage in Chino Valley where Gary teaches everything equine at Yavapai College. He continues to train horses and horse people with astute professionalism, sprinkled with the warmest, most fun, and entertaining details a horseman could deliver. Especially a horseman from Hollywood.