Horse Program Faculty

“I grew upon the east side of Ohio on a horse and cattle farm learning the value of hard work, responsibility and to care for animals. I began showing cutting horses at a young age and after high school, I moved to Texas to further my education and begin my horse training career after working for one of NCHA & NRHA’s legendary trainer’s Shorty Russell.

In 2001 I began my own training business specializing on the education of non-pro’s and amateurs , the development of young horses and tuning weekend show horses. Along with NCHA lifetime earnings of $130,000.00+ I worked to get my NCHA judge’s card and have enjoyed judging nearly 100 shows since the beginning of 2022. I enjoy the travel and the different styles of each discipline around the country.

I believe in strong family values honesty and friendships. I try make time for family and friends outside of the horse business when possible. Sometimes you just need to play a little golf to recharge and not loose focus.

I chose to join the LCC horse training management program because I believe the program itself is an amazing way to start young trainers that maybe did not have the opportunity to grow up in the horse world.

My goal is to pass on any and all knowledge I was blessed to obtain over a lifetime of experience. I hope to help develop the skills of our students and guide them onto a career that they can be proud of along with training horses capable of going on to have a positive show career. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity!”

At LCC, Savanna teaches our horse production, equine reproduction, agriculture salesmanship, equine evaluation, equine management, equine business planning, practicum management, practicum teaching, applied horsemanship and EBM internship classes. Along side Kelli Gaines, Savanna started our ranch horse team in 2022. She has also been instrumental in LCC getting the Vitafloor, MagnaWave, Solarium, and Wise Option for the Equine Business Management program, students teaching youth clinics, and starting and managing the Lamar Legacy Horse Sale. She also helps to manage our Rodeo Bible Camp.

Her goal is to help students become well-rounded in their knowledge and continue to grow to become leaders in the equine industry. She says, “the most important qualities for students to have is a strong work ethic and being teachable.” Outside of LCC, her husband Skyler, daughter and her own and operate a cow calf operation and Savanna enjoys showing in the versatility classes. She is strong in her faith and thankful for being led to LCC in 2019.

At LCC, Holly is involved in various aspects of our programs. She manages our newsletters, bulletin boards, and social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. She also captures moments on camera and assists in classes like our Practicum and Basic Care and Training. In 2023-2024, Holly coached the ranch horse team, drawing from her experience competing on the MSU Ranch Horse Team and showing in the reined cow horse futurities.

Holly’s favorite part of being with our LCC program is witnessing and contributing to the growth and learning of the students. She mentioned, “I had great mentors during my college years, and I am glad to continue guiding the next generation in the horse industry. My goal is to help our students overcome their challenges so that they can surpass my achievements.”

Outside of work, Holly dedicates her time to riding her horses to improve and prepare for shows. She also hopes to prepare her two-year-old for reined cow futurities next year!

“Growing up in Southwest Colorado I have been involved with rodeo and ranching in some capacity for my entire life. In high school, I competed in every event except cutting. As the State Champion Bareback rider, Saddle Bronc rider, and All Around Cowboy, I earned a full scholarship to Odessa College, where I excelled at both ends of the arena. Transitioning to professional rodeo, I focused on the rough stock events but have always prided myself on my versatility. I have continued to stay involved with rodeo in many ways, including raising bucking bulls, judging, working as a pick-up man, and being deeply involved in the full production of many amateur rodeos.

Now, as the Head Rodeo Coach at LCC, I’m excited to bring that versatility and love of rodeo combined with my passion for coaching to a school renowned for its Equine and Ag programs.

This role is a dream come true, offering a unique chance where we can blend various aspects of our western culture for the benefit of our students. I am looking forward to being a part of the LCC community and building a successful rodeo program.”

“I currently reside near Syracuse, KS with my wife, Brittani, and our daughter, Brynnleigh, and son, Chet. We run a small cow calf operation and a horse training business, Cole Bennett Cowhorses, LLC. I was born and raised in Syracuse, where horses were a big part of my family and we got to help dad gather cows and go to playdays and do all the events. In high school, I competed in riding saddle broncs and team roping. I continued on after high school growing my skills working in feed yards riding pens along with a few different ranch jobs where my goal was always to be a better horseman. Along the way, I started colts for extra money here and there.

I didn’t have a plan to get where we are today, I just always admired the guy riding the best horse no matter where I went and I wanted to have a horse like that. But, we didn’t have the money to buy one so I would ask questions and start doing things I saw people doing. Eventually it worked out to be able to start our horse training business and I am really grateful to get to do this everyday! Along with raising our kids in the lifestyle I got to enjoy growing up in.

I have been competing at the state level in open competition with the NRCHA since 2017. Competing with the Colorado reined cowhorse association, panhandle reined cowhorse association and a few other affiliates. We competed in our first premier event in the NRCHA in 2020. I also enjoy competing at VRH and ranching heritage challenge events throughout the year. I tested and received my NRCHA judge’s card in December of 2023.

Though I don’t get to go as much as I’d like, I do enjoy golfing in my free time. Having a good relationship with the Lord, my family and being able to raise our kids in this lifestyle is what I enjoy most in my free time.

I’m thankful to be the Ranch Horse Coach because I really want to help and support the next generation that is interested in the ranch horse team and hopefully use my knowledge from the mistakes we’ve made along the way to help them become the horseman they aspire to be. Regardless of if they want to go on and train for the public or be a non pro and ride for pleasure. We need more people coming into the performance horse industry and I felt that this would be a good fit where I am able to help do that.”