By: Hope Sickler

Cami Bauer is quickly becoming one of the hottest trainers in the industry. Her natural ability to get along with almost any horse, as well as with her quiet hands and her incredible seat, have helped the South Dakota native find her way to the winners circle many times, including this past weekend at the 10th annual Kohr Quarter Horses Futurity in Gillette, Wyoming. We were able to catch up with Bauer to get her thoughts on her futurity championship win and what goes on behind the scenes!


 
FloRodeo: How did you get involved in running barrels and training futurity horses?
Bauer: I started out running barrels through the ranks of 4H, high school, and college rodeo. I have always enjoyed the training side of barrel racing and took in a few outside horses through college to make a little extra money. I dabbled in the futurities for the first time in 2010 with a mare named Shake Em Dyna. The Kohr Quarter Horses Futurity in 2010 was one of the first futurities I ran in with Shake Em Dyna. She ended up placing in the first round and the average. After that, I was hooked! I got an opportunity to ride for Bill and Deb Myers not long after that and gained a lot of experience and learned a lot about the barrel futurity industry. I have been blessed with great clients along the way that have given me the opportunity to step on a lot of outstanding horses. Every single horse I have had the opportunity to train or jockey has taught me something.
 
Tell us about the horse that you won the Kohr Quarter Horses Futurity on.
Cash Money Colours "Techi" is a 2012 AQHA palomino mare by Technicolours (Frenchmans Guy x Hot Colours) and out of a mare called Kellys Approval (Second Down Kelly x Streakin Six).
 
What qualities do you think "Techi" has that helps make her a winner?
"Techi" is extremely fast and athletic, but she also has a great mind to go along with that, which is tough to come by a lot of times. Her owner (John Koltiska) purchased her in February 2016, and she came straight to me from Jordon and Justin Briggs, who had given her a great foundation. Justin had started roping on her, which I really feel helped her a lot in the barrel pen. It took a little patience to get her to smooth things out in the barrels, but she is just one of those horses that has a gritty confidence about her and a lot of heart and try!
 
How many years have you been attending the Kohr Quarter Horses Futurity? Was this the first time that you have won the futurity?
My first year to enter the Kohr Futurity was in 2010, and I have placed in the futurity a few times. But this was my first time winning it.
 
What makes the Kohr Quarter Horses Futurity such a momentous event?
The Kohr family and crew always does an excellent job producing this event, and they make it a fun atmosphere for everyone. It was so nice to be able to run at so much added money and great prizes from the producers and sponsors this year!
 
Finally, what is your favorite part about your job?
I love helping these young horses gain confidence. It is such a great feeling when they get to the point where all the ups and downs through the training process start to come together, and you get the feeling you've helped a horse love and crave its job. My ultimate goal is always to do what is best for the horse as I love seeing horses that I have trained have continued success with their owner or future owner as well!

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