College of Southern Idaho's Angie Cameron (right) placed fourth at 2004 IHSA Nationals in team intermediate western. Golden Eagles Head Coach Curt Fuller (left) will have his Stock Seat Team back at 2005 Nationals for a sixth consecutive season, but will be stepping down from coaching after that.

ONE MORE TIME AT NATIONALS FOR CURT FULLER

Back in 2000 the College of Southern Idaho took a full stock seat team to IHSA Nationals for the first time. It was not the first time at an IHSA National show for Head Coach Curt Fuller, who had traveled to Cazenovia, New York in April of 1999 to coach Juliette Strate in the individual walk-trot. Some may remember that Southern Idaho was a member of Zone 7, Region 1 in 1998-99, before moving into Zone 8, Region 3 the following season (and thus avoiding more trips through the mountains to Colorado and New Mexico).

With Eric Hubbard scoring six of the Golden Eagles nine points in the open divisions, the Southern Idaho stock seaters finished sixth overall in their 2000 Nationals debut. A year later the Golden Eagles had what to date is likely their finest hour. Upon their return to Conyers, Georgia, the Golden Eagles scored 18 points, Hubbard was given the Versatility Award for the second season in a row, and the College of Southern Idaho were Reserve Stock Seat National Champions. Though Findlay won with 21 points, powerhouses such as West Texas A & M (14 points) and Ohio State (8 Points) were looking up at the Golden Eagles.

College of Southern Idaho advanced teams through Zone 8 Western Zones each of the four seasons that have followed, this despite the turnover that being a two-year school brings. Throughout this time Fuller has been the one constant, but that will be changing soon.

Fuller surprised many late last fall when he announced he would step down as Head Coach following completion of the 2004-05 season. Fuller posted a letter to 'Team Members, Past and Present' on the Southern Idaho Equestrian Team web site in which he discussed very understandable personal events related to his family that led to his decision.

Only a few weeks earlier, Fuller had the distinction of having been quoted in consecutive issues of Appaloosa Journal. The September 2004 issue had a nice article on Appaloosa equestrians headed off to college (the article mentioned riders such as Fresno States' Brenna Burris, who rode for Southern Idaho 2002-04 and who will represent Zone 8, Region 1 in the AQHA Cup Competition at IHSA Nationals this season). Fuller explained that several Southern Idaho riders have trained on Appaloosas while in school, then graduated, then purchased an appaloosa of their own, and ultimately returned with their new horse to train with him. The October 2004 Appaloosa Journal ran a story on 2003 Appaloosa Trainer of the Year Randy Cutbirth. Fuller had been one of three finalists for the award, and as a result the Appaloosa Journal ran a short piece which revealed Fuller himself graduated from Southern Idaho and that he trained with his Father while growing up.

Back in January this writer sent Fuller an e-mail in hopes of doing a story or an interview. Fuller provided a lengthy response, sighting my talent at remembering facts and dates but showing a great memory of his own.

"I do remember the first time Juliette (Strate) and I met you in New York," said Fuller. "By the way Juliette moved back to the area, married, has 2 kids, and boards her horse at my facility."

"I started in 1998 as I was looking back the other day. Wow, that does not seem so long ago yet it is. You know I found a quote that went somewhat like...by sharing your knowledge it is a way of immortality. I have had a number of students over the years and met many from other teams. I cherish it all and hope they don't take all of the great moments for granted."

Fuller touched on a number of subjects, including the Appaloosa Trainer of the Year nomination: "The Appaloosa trainer is nominated by people in the industry who submit letters of recommendation. You also have to have shown at Nationals and World in the current year. Then the information is submitted to a committee who decides the 3 finalists and then the Trainer of the Year. Randy Cutbirth had been a promoter, trainer, and judge for many many years. It was just a priviledge to even be nominated and awarded a plaque that hangs in the barn for everyone to see because of the importance of the people who nominated me. That was very touching to me and I took great pride in that."

One title Fuller has not held is Region President. However Fuller is pleased with the work of Dr. John Xanthopoulos at the University of Montana - Western: "John X. is doing a super job. He is so supportive of everyone and very diplomatic. The region is in good hands."

Fuller hopes to remain involved with the IHSA in a peripheral sense. "I hope to return as maybe a regional western judge and then who knows maybe as a national western steward. I am sure I will be kept up to date on things one way or another and hope to share what I can to the new coach of CSI."

As of late April, one IHSA show still remains for Fuller and his Golden Eagles. In addition to a full western team at Nationals, Southern Idaho will have the Zone 8, Region 3 Cacchione representative in Meghan Sederholm, marking the first time since Hubbard rode in both High Point Open Rider divisions at 2001 Nationals this has happenned. Fuller will be busy for four days May 5th through 8th, but one cannot help but miss him already. Always gracious with riders, other coaches and the media, even those who have to send riders into the ring to compete against Southern Idaho cannot help but root for the proprietor of Fuller Training Stables in Twin Falls, Idaho.

"You know I have had some great riders and super stars," says Fuller. "I have students that have touched my heart and I hate to see them leave. I do have many still in contact years later. It was and has been a wonderful chapter for me and even a learning experience.

--Steve Maxwell