Black Knuckle Ranch: Daily Summaries Delivered

Ep. 29 | Craig & Cole Cameron: The Foundation Every Great Horse Needs

Few names in the horse world carry the respect that Craig Cameron does. A Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee, world-renowned clinician, and five-time EXCA World Champion, Craig has spent decades helping horsemen build confident, willing partners instead of simply creating obedient horses. Joining him is his son Cole Cameron, trainer, competitor, and former Texas A&M football player turned professional horseman. In this episode, we sit down with both Craig and Cole to talk about the philosophy that has shaped thousands of horses—and horsemen. We discuss: Why trust comes before performance Building a foundation that works in any discipline Cross-training horses with obstacles, trails, cattle, and arena work Knowing when a horse should become a cow horse, rope horse, or trail horse The importance of slowing down instead of rushing progress Cole's journey from Texas A&M football to professional horsemanship Craig's career in bull riding, clinics, and the Calgary Stampede How great trainers develop confidence instead of forcing results Whether you're starting your first colt or have spent decades in the saddle, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and timeless horsemanship. Black Knuckle Ranch BK Ranchwear Craig Cameron Cole Cameron

Ep. 28 | The Truth About Training Performance Horses | Casey Hidalgo

Ep. 27 | Elite Bullfighter | The Story Behind "Sad Clown" with Clayton Moore

What does it take to stand between a 2,000-pound bucking bull and a fallen rider? In this episode of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, they boys sit down with professional bullfighter Clayton "Sad Clown" Moore to talk about the reality of life inside the arena. Clayton shares how he went from riding bulls in New Mexico to becoming one of the top freestyle and protection bullfighters in the country. The conversation covers everything from the old-school traditions of bullfighting to the physical and mental demands of protecting cowboys at the highest levels of rodeo. Clayton opens up about injuries, faith, family, returning to competition after time away, and why protecting riders—not chasing fame—is what drives him. Whether you're a rodeo fan or just enjoy hearing from people who make a living doing extraordinary things, this episode offers an inside look at one of rodeo's toughest professions. In this episode: Clayton's journey from riding bulls to professional bullfighting Why he chose protection over riding Freestyle bullfighting vs. rodeo protection Keeping the old-school cowboy traditions alive The role of athleticism in modern bullfighting How faith has guided his career Recovering from injuries and getting back into shape What it's like working PRCA rodeos The toughest situations a bullfighter faces Funny stories about the "Sad Clown" nickname Why the best bullfighters stay humble and let their work speak for itself Building a career in one of the most dangerous jobs in western sports Behind the scenes of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast and growing the show

Ep. 26 | The Kamikaze Kid: Rob Smets on Fear, Bullfighting & Becoming a Legend

Five-time World Champion bullfighter Rob Smets joins the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast to share the incredible journey that made him one of the most respected names in rodeo. Rob takes us from his childhood growing up around the world, to discovering rodeo, earning his PRCA card as a teenager, and shocking the sport by winning the Cow Palace and the U.S. Cowboy Bullfighting Championship during his rookie season. Along the way, he shares the mindset, preparation, and split-second decision making that separates great bullfighters from everyone else. We also dive into: How boxing, football, and rugby shaped his bullfighting style Why bullfighting is far more technical than most people realize The psychology behind protecting bull riders The physical and mental cost of a career in the arena Funny stories from the road—including how one of his bulls got the name "Blackberry" Teaching the next generation through the Rob Smets Bullfighting School What it really takes to become a professional in one of rodeo's most dangerous jobs Whether you're a lifelong rodeo fan or just want to hear from someone who's spent a lifetime competing at the highest level, this episode is packed with stories, wisdom, and laughs.

Ep. 25 | A Million Dollars, Broken Bones, and Starting Over | Zack Oakes

Zack Oakes joins the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast to talk about a life spent chasing rodeo dreams, the realities of professional bull riding, and what happens when the ride finally ends. From hitchhiking to rodeos as a teenager to competing at the highest levels of the sport, Zack shares stories from the road, lessons learned the hard way, and why success in the arena doesn't always translate to success after the spotlight fades. In this episode: Growing up in Oregon and getting started in rodeo Knowing when it was time to step away from bull riding Life on the road as a professional rodeo cowboy Making the NFR and the nerves behind the biggest stage in rodeo Winning over $1 million and the financial mistakes that followed Why many athletes struggle after their careers end Sponsorships, agents, and the business side of rodeo The difference between old-school cowboys and modern rodeo athletes Wild stories from military appearances and life on tour The mental game of competing when everything is on the line What Zack wishes he'd known at 20 years old If you've ever wondered what life is really like behind the chutes—or what comes after the dream—this is an episode you won't want to miss. Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast Real Horses. Real Ranch. Real Talk.

Ep. 24 | Moore Horsemanship - Can a Horse Business Actually Make Money?

In this episode of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, Craig Moore returns for an honest conversation about horses, business, branding, and the realities of trying to build something that lasts. We dive into the challenges of creating BKR Ranchwear, what separates premium apparel from simple merch, and why competing with established brands isn't as easy as it looks. The conversation then shifts to the horse industry, where Craig shares his perspective on training horses, selling horses, and the harsh financial realities that many horse owners never see. We also discuss the impact of social media success, the pressure to constantly chase viral moments, and why authenticity matters more than highlight reels. If you've ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of a growing ranch operation, this episode pulls back the curtain. In This Episode: The difference between merchandise and premium apparel Why BKR Ranchwear offers a "You Rip It, We Replace It" guarantee Competing with brands like Poncho, Ariat, and Wrangler The hidden economics of horse training and horse sales Craig's experience training and selling Mustangs Why some horses sell quickly while others never gain traction The dangers of chasing viral content Building a business without losing authenticity Lessons learned from scaling a horse program too quickly What the future may hold for Black Knuckle Performance Horses Whether you're a horse owner, trainer, entrepreneur, or just someone trying to build something meaningful, this episode delivers plenty of hard-earned lessons and real-world insight.

Ep. 23 | John Clinch on Colt Starting, Cutting Horses, and Building a Horse Business

In this episode of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, the crew sits down with John Clinch of Clinch Colt Co. to talk colt starting, cutting horses, cow horse training, and the realities of building a successful horse training business. John shares his approach to developing two-year-olds, why most horse owners underestimate how long quality training actually takes, and how he built a program focused on preparing young horses for the cutting and cow horse world. The conversation also covers networking within the horse industry, ranch life, social media, horse pricing, and the challenges trainers face when balancing customer expectations with what horses truly need. Along the way, the guys swap stories about ranch cats, horse sales, training philosophies, and why there may be more opportunity in the horse industry than most people realize. In This Episode: How John Clinch built Clinch Colt Co. Colt starting vs. finished horse training Why great horses take years, not weeks Cutting horses and cow horse development The business side of horse training Customer expectations vs. reality Horse pricing and today's market Networking within the horse industry Ranch life, ranch cats, and social media The future of horse training programs About Our Guest John Clinch is the owner of Clinch Colt Co. in Hico, Texas, where he specializes in colt starting and developing young horses for the cutting and cow horse industries. His program focuses on building solid foundations that prepare horses for success at the next level of competition. Sponsors Black Knuckle Ranchwear Black Knuckle Performance Horses Matrix Reformed Black Knuckle Land Management

Ep. 22 | Building Better Horses, Better Events, and Better Horsemen with Craig Moore

In this episode of the Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast, we sit down with horse trainer and competitor Craig Moore to talk horsemanship, ranch trail competitions, colt starting, and what it takes to build horses that can perform in the real world. Craig shares his journey from high school rodeo and horse training to an unexpected detour into competitive golf before finding his way back to horses. The conversation dives into the realities of training horses, competing in events like Road to the Horse, and the challenges of creating horse competitions that are both competitive and welcoming for riders of all skill levels. The crew also discusses the future of the Black Knuckle Ranch Trail Course Series, judging challenges, how to keep events fair and fun, and why making horse events approachable for newcomers is critical to growing the industry. In This Episode: The success of the first Black Knuckle Ranch Trail Course event How judges influence competition outcomes Timed events vs. judged events Creating a welcoming environment for new riders Craig Moore's path into professional horsemanship Lessons learned from Road to the Horse Golf, horses, and expensive hobbies The importance of practical horsemanship Ideas for growing the Black Knuckle Ranch Buckle Series Why obstacles and ranch trail events continue to grow in popularity About Our Guest Craig Moore of Moore Horsemanship is a professional horse trainer known for colt starting, obstacle training, ranch versatility, and helping riders build practical, confident horses. Craig has competed in major colt-starting competitions and brings a practical, no-nonsense approach to horsemanship. Sponsors Black Knuckle Ranchwear — Tough cotton twill shirts built for real work. You rip it, we replace it. Matrix Reformed Black Knuckle Performance Horses Black Knuckle Land Management Connect With Black Knuckle Ranch Follow for weekly episodes covering horses, ranching, business, and western lifestyle. Black Knuckle Ranch Podcast: Real Horses, Real Ranch, Real Talk.