Equifest Program 2020

Clinicians

Casey Hufstader Casey is a fifth generation packer from Oregon. Casey has successfully run a 16-mule pack string, a packing business, and a packing school for individuals looking to learn the art of packing. He is the owner and operator of CH Packstring, LLC, a packing business that provides custom back country packing experiences to individuals.

Casey is also an active member and advocate for Back Country Horseman of America, and volunteers countless hours to maintain trails and provide continued access for equestrian use of public lands. Casey utilizes his string of mules to pack in supplies and gear for the United States Forest Service. He is also a skilled mule trainer and clinician available for instructing clinics both privately and at his packing school. For more information on Casey and CH Packstring, please visit his website at www.chpackstring.com. Booth is located at P36 in the 4-H/Ponderosa Building. Laura Stimatze

Laura has been raising and training border collies, bred to work cattle, for many years. “I am hoping to share some of my training information with friends of the cow dog world,” Laura says. Laura and her husband, Joe, have raised and trained Australian Border Collie cow dogs together for about three decades. Since they were married, training cow dogs has been a large part of their lives. Laura’s father, Bob Buckman, raised and trained Border Collies, while Joe trained blue heelers. This, according to Joe, was a point of friendly competition from the beginning.

The utilization of cow dogs as integral parts of cattle operations has seen a boost in recent years. As ranch help is becoming more and more scarce, ranch and feed yard operators are finding the benefit of using cow dogs, which equates to one cow dog doing the work of two humans. While the number of cattle a cow dog can control varies in each situation, one dog, on average, can account for 75 head of cattle. “The cow dog is a tool, and we (the Stimatze family) train them and use them as a tool. They are smart and want to work hard, but you have to use them responsibly.” Booth is located at P38 in the 4-H/Ponderosa Building. Catch Jay Henson, Casey Hufstader, and Laura Stimatze in the Ag Hall Arena. See schedule for details, page 8-9

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