He rides his own horses, usually keeping about four useable horses at a time. He’s also got a yearling and a colt most years.
His current show horse, Josephs Catchum All, aka “Catchum,” gets more than his share of days off when it comes to ranch work, but he’s earned it. The 7-year-old gelding has been among SHOT’s top open division horses in recent years, as well as finishing fourth in the inaugural AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Show in 2008.
“We fit together real good,” Jimbo says of the 15.3-hand, 1,400-pound horse. “A lot of people don’t realize just how big he is because I’m a big guy, too. But they’d notice if I came riding into the arena on a little-bitty horse. In any show deal, there’s got to be a pretty picture when you first ride into the arena.
“He’s also well balanced. With a lot of big horses, they usually have one big feature that catches the eye, but Catchum isn’t that way. So he stands well in the halter at an AQHA show.”
A willing mind and a natural feel for the trail class have always set Catchum apart from the competition. He went to his first SHOT show as a 2-year-old in the hackamore and scored well in trail class.
“He’s allowed me to get some confidence in this deal from the very beginning,” Jimbo says. “So I’m sure that’s helped fuel my interest in showing.”
Catchum first caught Jimbo’s eye because he wasn’t afraid to leave his mother in the pasture. Bred by Jimbo’s friend Bill Smith, also of Spur, Catchum traces to Hollywood Gold on the top side.
“A lot of his athletic ability probably comes from there,” Jimbo says. “But he’s got such a nice, smooth way of traveling. His momma [Olenas Magpie] has that same way of moving. I think we get a lot of points in the show ring because it just comes natural to him. That’s something I can’t train into a horse.
“This show deal has made me more critical about the types of horses I keep. I think I have some decent horses now, and they are all a joy to ride. I just won’t keep a horse that’s rough trotting or loping anymore.
“With Catchum, I know going in that as long as I don’t mess something up, we’re going to be in the top end of the Western pleasure results. He gets around so good, all I have to do is stay out of his way for a couple of minutes while we’re in the arena.”
IN JUST HALF A DOZEN YEARS, Jimbo has gone from SHOT newbie to instructing the association’s clinics.
