Gus Babineaux didn’t come to Scottsdale to win. He came because, three years ago, at 10-years-old, he was inspired by a documentary that would change everything in his future in the horse industry. A film that opened doors to a world he didn’t even know existed.
Down The Fence, a documentary film released in 2017 by MJ Isakson and Lori Adamski-Peek, follows reined cow horse trainers through the grit, heartbreak and joy of training horses to compete at the highest level.
Babineaux, now 13, didn’t come from a family of horse showers. His parents, Shannon and Cedric Babineaux, raised horses but have never competed. That didn’t stop them from backing their son’s dream.
After watching the film, Babineaux told his parents, “I want to do it, I have to do it”. So they did it. He got a new horse and started showing through the Louisiana Stock Horse Association. After two years, it was time to step up.
“That’s when we got good ole’ ‘Cash,’” he said with a grin. “It’s smooth sailing now.”
Cash, officially named Lil Scoot N Cash, is a 2013 gelding by Colonels Lil Scoot and out of Lil Miss N Pep by Miss N Cash. The pair recently competed at their first NRCHA show, hosted by the South Eastern Reined Cow Horse Association.
Afterward, Babineaux told his parents, “I belong here. I might not be the best, but I’m gonna figure it out”.
The Babineaux family credits both NRCHA and SERCHA for being so welcoming and supportive. Many members of each of the associations took him under their wing and guided him without hesitation.
“These organizations are really amazing; it’s a place where you become family, too,” Shannon said.
Seeing the duo have success in the pen isn’t what brings pride to his parents.
“Watching him take care of his horses is special; he always puts them first,” Shannon said.
Living in Cow Island, Louisiana, makes finding trainers and consistent coaching difficult, but that doesn’t stop them. When determination is strong, it knows no boundaries. He studies everything he can: online videos, Facebook comments on his mom’s videos and advice from clinicians and mentors.
When the news came out about the free youth clinic, sponsored by the NRCHA Foundation, being held at the Derby, he knew he had to go. The Babineauxs packed up and hit the road for the longest haul they’d ever attempted with a horse. Of course, things didn’t go quite as planned.
Not even an hour in, a trailer tire blew out, taking the fender with it. They fixed it, kept going and, 30 miles later, another blowout on the other side. For a moment, they wondered if it was a sign to turn back, but again determination knows no bounds.
After stops in Weatherford, Texas, and El Paso, Texas, to stay with friends, the family finally rolled into Scottsdale.
At the clinic, you could see on Gus’ face that he wasn’t just excited to be there. He was soaking it all in.
“Coming here means a new experience,” he said. “I love learning from everyone that I can.”
Among his favorite clinicians were Lee Deacon and Todd Crawford.
Now the Babineaux’s are headed back to Cow Island, but they brought home more than memories. They brought home a milestone, a story and an experience they’ll hold onto forever—thanks to a documentary, a community and one determined kid who decided to figure it out.
