Every notable horse is built on a foundation of careful training, patience, and insight. To understand the essence of Gibson’s journey, I spoke with Kate Neubert, a highly respected colt starter who was the first to work with him. With her extensive experience in starting colts, Kate provides invaluable insights into what makes Gibson stand out from the very beginning.
Kate has built a reputation as one of the most respected colt starters in the industry, working with Morgan from the beginning. Her ability to read and develop young horses has shaped many incredible, top money-earning performance horses.
When Kate first laid eyes on Gibson, she was impressed by his size and strength, but she did have some initial doubts about how those traits might translate into movement. “He looked really big and strong at first,” Kate recalls, “and sometimes you wonder if that will make a horse less agile.” But as soon as she began working with him, those concerns quickly faded. “Gibson was such a smooth mover,” she says, noting how his natural fluidity became clear early on.
However, his calm and agreeable nature truly set Gibson apart. While Kate often has to devote extra time to more challenging colts, Gibson’s intelligence and steady temperament made him a joy to work with from the start. His ease of training was a welcome relief, allowing Kate to focus on the others who required more attention.
As Gibson’s training progressed, Kate quickly recognized that his steady nature and sharp mind would be crucial for his future success. She describes him as “dependable, consistent, and solid”—traits that made him stand out. “He’s not a flashy horse trying to show off; he’s just steady and reliable every time,” Kate explains. This dependability made him easy to trust in any situation, whether on a cow or handling daily tasks on the ranch.
Kate had the opportunity to work with Gibson on cows during his two-year-old year, and she quickly recognized his natural ability to think through tasks. “He really impressed me with how he handled cows at such a young age,” she reflects. This capacity to remain calm and thoughtfully approach his duties laid the foundation for his success and Kate couldn’t help but feel excited to see him develop further.
By the time Gibson turned three, Kate had seen enough to realize he was genuinely special. She recalls spending time with him at The Cascades Futurity, where she watched him navigate new challenges with ease. “Every time I worked with him, I could see how he was maturing,” Kate says. “Yet he always maintained that same solid and dependable nature. It’s been amazing to see him grow while staying true to himself.”
For Kate, the most rewarding part of working with Gibson isn’t just watching him succeed in the showpen—though that’s certainly exciting. It’s the simple, everyday moments that stand out the most. She remembers riding him around casually in her “hey dudes” while semi trucks were unloading and chaos enveloped the ranch. “He’s just one of those horses you enjoy being around,” Kate says with a smile. “He’s fun to ride, and no matter what’s happening around him, he’s always calm and steady. He doesn’t get rattled. He stays focused.”
Gibson’s ability to stay grounded and unaffected by the busy rhythm of life around him is part of what makes him such a joy to ride.
For Kate, the journey with Gibson is about much more than just his future successes. “It’s been so fun watching him grow up,” she says, “and I feel lucky to have been a part of that journey.” With his remarkable consistency and quiet confidence, Gibson’s story is only just beginning. And with the foundation Kate has helped build, there’s no doubt he’ll continue to rise to the occasion—both in the showpen and beyond.
Written by Lacy Tucker
