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Noel Cook came from a rodeo background. Both his parents rode and trained. Noel started riding at a a very young age. Roping became second nature to him very quickly as he would practice roping anything and everything that moved. With the help of his parents, Noel got his start in the horse business. Noel's father would bring ponies home for Noel to help by riding and training under his father's coaching. When the ponies were finished, they would then be sold. On the weekend the family would attend and compete at local rodeos, ropings and barrel competitions.
Noel's mother often competed against other riders such as Martha Josey, Gail Tise and many more competitors. Noel's father often competed with competitors such as Leo Camarillo and other well known top notch competitors. Both parent qualified for the International Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma several years ago as well as other finals in their local area.
Noel started competing in peewee rodeos, continuing on through High School where in his first year he qualified to compete at the Cow Palace then went on to compete in state finals in Paso Robles and Red Bluff. In college Noel made Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Rider along with qualifying for the college finals as well as many district finals.
While in school Noel learned how to be a horseman by one of the best kept secrets Oklahoma had to offer. Noel got the opportunity to worked with Bob Shiller, an awesome horseman teaching Noel the how to's from ground work to finishing under saddle. Bob taught Noel the meaning of a true horseman - to work with and not against the horse finishing the polish on the foundation Noel's father had instilled in him. Noel has also had the opportunity to work with Western Pleasure and English trainer David Peppard, trainers Tom Riley, Kenny Ennis. Noel has also participated in clinics with one of the great horsemen Les Volt learning to put a polish on his reining spins and slides.
Since then, Noel has gone on to successfully train not only western, english, calf roping and team penning horses as well as a few cutting, reining and reined cow horses. "It is a true joy to see one of the horses I have trained go on to a bright career and do well." says Noel.
Training the horse is an important part of the equation, but so is training the rider. Noel believes it is just as important as working with the horse. Noel's method is to ride with his students on a horse at the same level, giving his students an opportunity to not only get verbal instruction but visual aids through example as well.
To date, Noel continues competing and winning in local team roping, calf roping and rodeos.
Click here for Noel's Accomplishments. |
