Courtney Branson Archer was born and raised in Orange County, California and considers herself a true California girl. Growing up, she lived in an equestrian community called Nellie Gail Ranch located in Laguna Hills and started riding horses when she was seven years-old.
“My mom and dad swore it was just a phase I would go through but 25 years later horses and showing are my life,” says Archer, who now lives in Pilot Point, Texas with her husband, Dave, who is a horse trainer.
GoHorseShow sat down with Courtney to find out more about her life in Pilot Point, and her mount, UF A Certain Star, who is showing in the all-around events with Highpoint Performance Horses this year.
Q: Hi Courtney! Thanks for sitting down with us. So, tell us about the horse you are showing this year?
A: I am showing UF A Certain Star better known as Peter or Mr. P. He is a 2009 gelding by Certain Potential. Dave (her husband) and I watched him lope across the pasture at the University of Florida as a yearling, and it was love at first sight for me and that’s how our story begins. Dave broke him out as a two year-old and started his western pleasure career. I won the NSBA World Show on him in the Two Year-Old Non Pro Limited Western Pleasure in 2011. This is his first year doing the all-around events with Highpoint Performance Horses.
Q: How would you describe Mr. P’s personality?
A: I would describe him as Curious George–he’s into everything and always has to know who’s coming and going in the barn. When I’m standing in the line up after a class, he constantly bothers the horse on either side of us until they will pay attention to him. Mr. P has a heart of gold and has never once told us no–no matter what we ask him to do. Jason Martin is showing him in the Green and Jr Trail; Brad Ost is showing him in the Green and Jr Western Riding; and I’m showing him in the Amateur Horsemanship this year.
Q: What are your horse show goals for 2013?
A: With Mr. P only being four years old, and this being his first year doing the all-around events, we didn’t have any expectations going into Sun Circuit this year. Our main goal was to make each time he stepped into the arena a positive experience for him. He gives 150% every time he steps in the show pen, and we left Sun Circuit with the Green Trail Circuit Champion and qualified in the Jr Western Riding for the AQHA World Show. We want to get him qualified in all his events and we are shooting for a successful Congress and World Show this year.
Q: What is it you enjoy about horses and showing?
A: What I enjoy most about showing is the life long friends and family I’ve made from all over the country. When you spend endless days showing and nights of riding at all hours with people, they become a part of you and your life and I couldn’t imagine my life without my horse show family. Horses have taught me some of the most valuable life lessons. To name a few: Number One–dedication is the key to success. When you pour your heart and soul into anything the results are always amazing. Number Two–“No Regrets”– words I live by. Every time I step in the show pen, I make it a point to lay everything out on the line and give it my all.
Q: Who have been your mentors in the industry?
A: No question about it, hands down, Charlie Cole and Jason Martin are my mentors. Charlie is who I can always count on for my last minute advice before I enter the show pen and he is the one that I always look for on the rail. Jason is the detailed one and everything I have ever learned in the western riding is because of him. Charlie and Jason know me better than anyone when it comes to my riding and they always know what to say and when to push me.
Q: What are some of your most memorable horse show memories?
A: I have so many horse show memories, but, my all-time favorite horse show memory was at the 1997 Quarter Horse Congress. I was a youth and Charlie and Jason had four of us showing in the Novice Youth 18 and Under Horsemanship. It was a big class with six splits, two semi-finals and a final. We all made the finals and came jogging in one after the other for our rail work and with Charlie at one end of the arena and Jason at the other end coaching us. We completed the rail work and all lined up together in the center. As they called the placing, never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I would be a Congress Champion. As they announced my name and I got my Congress trophy, the first to meet me at the back gate with a big hug and smile was Charlie, Jason and my whole Highpoint family–it was a night I will never forget!
Q: What do you like about working with your trainers?
A: I have been with Charlie and Jason since I was 14 year-old and I couldn’t imagine training any where else. I am the rider I am today because of them. They always know how to bring out the best in me and my horse and I can always count on them to be there for me in and out of the show pen no matter what.
Q: What are some of your favorite wins so far in the show arena?
A: My proudest win was at the 2010 AQHA World Show in the Amateur Western Riding. People doubted Dynamic AllNite Long (Jay) and I as a team in the western riding, but from day one, Charlie, Jason and Beth believed in us and never gave up. We made the finals, and, as we entered the arena for the awards, they started calling out the placings and as each name was called I couldn’t believe the little black horse and I were still standing in the arena. When they announced Jay and I as third in the world and the bronze globe winner, I gave Jay a big hug and whispered, “Jay, we did it!”
Q: Tell me about your husband, Dave Archer–how did you meet?
A: If it wasn’t for horses, I would have never met my husband, Dave Archer. Dave and I met through mutual friends, Sharnai Thompson and Chance Keith at a BBQ at Sharnai’s house in 2009. We started talking, and, from that day on, we have been together ever since. We got married May, 5, 2012 in beautiful Cabo San Lucas, Mexico surrounded by our family and friends. It truly was our dream wedding. In January 2013, we purchased what we like to call our little piece of heaven–a 12 acre ranch in Pilot Point, Texas and that is where Dave Archer Show Horses resides. Between Dave training horses, horse shows, and running the ranch, our schedule keeps us pretty busy. The best part is we get to do it all together, and I couldn’t imagine life any other way. “We do what we love and we love what we do!”
Q: Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with our readers.
A: You’re Welcome! Anytime!
CLICK HERE to check out her ad in the May issue of GoMag.
Photos © Mallory Beinborn/Impulse Photography, Larry Williams
