Legend Award

2021

Les Timmons – Legend

Ranch raised. A ranch pasture cowboy. A feedlot cowboy. All of these are early Les Timmons. His horse knowledge and livestock skills soon drew him to the competition arena. He was intrigued by the speed and thrill of reined cow horse. Moving from his home province of Saskatchewan to Alberta gave him the opportunity to compete in the cow horse events. It was the early 1970’s and within a very few years he was a noted top shelf competitor in that discipline. During that time few disciplines were “stand alone” but rather a trainer needed to be versatile and involved in the quarter horse show scene. Timmons had no difficulty adapting and excelling in anything involving horses. As a result, his equine endeavors expanded. The late 1970’s saw Timmons show the first of many cutting horses. The mare’s name was Cocoa Pop owned by Glen Farstad. The success of this venture is uncertain but it definitely started a notable show career for Les.

A new opportunity:

Dave Robson had built a facility west of Airdrie and in 1982 Les became the resident trainer. One of the horses he trained there was Robson’s stallion, Jae Bar Freckles. Among their successes was the champion of the Manitoba Stakes and Futurities cutting as a 3y.o. The stallion continued his career to earn even more accolades as he aged.

During this time as well Les trained and showed another stallion. Country Oak Star, owned by Chuck Manness. During the show season they qualified and were invited to compete in 6 events at the AQHA World Show. The stallion and Les made the trip to Oklahoma to compete in heading, heeling, calf roping, western pleasure, western riding and trail. A testament to the horses’ ability and Les’ all around skills as a trainer.

Versatile stallions seemed to litter Timmons’ past. He acquired and eventually owned Skip Hop de Doc. Alberta’s first Superhorse earning that title by competing and placing in 7 events at a major quarter horse competition. Skip Hop de Doc was one of the earliest of Les’ 3 y.o. snaffle bit futurity champions in the cow horse event but to become a Superhorse he earned points in heading, heeling, cutting, reining, western riding and barrel racing.

Another stallion trained by Les was Little Red Tucker Chex. An outstanding snaffle bit cowhorse, he and Les were AQHA World Champions in Junior Working Cow Horse at the 1987 AQHA World show. The following year cutting became the focus. Little Red Tucker Chex was awarded the 1988 CCHA Novice Horse championship.

Right on heels of this success came Genuine Peppy owned by Truman Kennedy. With Les in the saddle the stallion was CCHA Reserve Champion Open horse in 1988/89 season. Next year, 1990 the stallion was CCHA Open Champion.

The industry was changing. The major disciplines now were showcased in far more “stand alone” shows. Timmons backed away from the quarter horse shows to concentrate on cow horse disciplines. Through the 1990’s he became a dominate force in the snaffle bit cow horse futurities. Both nationally and internationally his horses won titles and dollars. For those of us with longer memories names like Majors Doctor Cody, Olds Major Doc and the absolute phenom High Sign Nugget (an Apppaloosa inducted in to the Canadian Supreme Hall of Fame) were standout proof that Alberta had a major league talent in Les Timmons.

That’s a mere snapshot of Les Timmons the trainer. Fact is, Timmons is more than a single dimension.

As a trainer and horseman Timmons is an identifiable talent.

 Beyond that he has shown that he is much more than that. The improvement and future of the industry as a whole are important to Les. He volunteered his efforts and knowledge to the industry. He was an integral part of the success of the Canadian Supreme. He sourced cattle, developed handling strategies, competition arena design and became the consultant for all things associated with the reputation of the Supreme.

Additionally, he became a respected judge in both the NCHA and the NRCHA. He has judged major competitions in both disciplines across North America.

He has served multiple terms as president of the CCHA. A steady hand with superior knowledge of the industry from the ground up. The position was often not one for the fainted hearted but Timmons’ commitment to the betterment and preservation of cutting never faltered.

Along the way his showmanship and promotional instincts garnered him the fitting nickname: Hollywood

Today, he is still the “go to guy” when an association or group need a solid unbiased opinion for direction of their efforts. He is history and vision in one package. That’s uncommon. So is Les Timmons.

Ranch raised. A ranch pasture cowboy. A feedlot cowboy.  Les Timmons is still all those. Additionally: proven trainer. NCHA judge. NRCHA judge. past CCHA president. Show production consultant.  And more. Nice guy and special friend of our entire horse industry.

Whatever award comes his way maybe for Hollywood its not quite enough to recognize his total contribution.

Congratulations!