Inside the Deals’ colt-starting competition and approach to authentic horsemanship
by Jennifer Cocoma Hustis
As an auditor at the 2025 “Real Deal” National Colt-Starting Competition in Guthrie, hosted by Trevor and Joci Deal of Real Deal Horses, LLC, I was fired up watching four talented trainers work untouched 2-year-old horses in a three-day challenge. One highlight was riding in a horsemanship clinic with Canadian trainer Joel Lybbert, someone I had only followed online. Opportunities like these sharpen your feel, rekindle your love for working with horses, and surround you with likeminded horsemen and women.
From their Montana beginnings to their Oklahoma home, Trevor and Joci Deal’s journey has been shaped by community, curiosity and a shared commitment to doing right by the horse. They advocate great horsemanship whether it’s training a colt, mentoring a client or hosting a national colt-starting competition. For them, it’s more than a profession. It’s a way of life, and it shows. In every sense of the phrase, they’re the real deal.
Next, Joci Deal shares their story, from early experiences with horses to the philosophy she and Trevor live by every day.
Where did you and Trevor grow up, and how did your early experiences shape your relationships with horses?
Trevor and I grew up just 20 miles apart in Carbon County, Montana, each shaped by our own rhythm of horses. I was raised in the fast-moving world of horse traders, riding everything from colts to show horses and knowing early that this was the lifestyle for me. Trevor’s roots were quieter — mountain miles, pack trips and ranch work — building the grounded, hardworking approach he brings to every horse.
How did your paths first cross, and what brought you together as partners in both life and horsemanship?
We first met in sixth grade on a field trip to the fish hatchery. We reconnected at 21; I was running my family’s livestock business, and Trevor was working construction. He saw the depth of my commitment to the horse world and chose to step into it beside me. His steady, disciplined feel met my love for connection and communication, and our strengths fell into place naturally.
What motivated your decision to relocate your family to Oklahoma, and what aspects of life here have been the most meaningful or surprising?
We built a strong business in Montana, but a Facebook post about a Texas horse sale sparked a new direction. We expected cactus and dust; instead, we found green hills, good horses, kind people and sweet tea. That trip planted a seed we couldn’t ignore. Eventually, opportunity and timing pointed us to Oklahoma. The Oklahoma horse community rooted in hard work and genuine welcome made it feel like home almost immediately.
As trainers, what core goals guide your work with the horses in your program and the clients you mentor?
Our guiding principle is simple: the horse comes first. We develop horses who are confident, mentally sound and matched with the job that fits them, not pushed into something they’re not. With clients, we lead with honesty and education, focusing on long‑term success and clear expectations.
What guidance would you offer to people looking for a trustworthy trainer or hoping to place a horse in a truly suitable home?
Slow down and ask good questions. A trustworthy trainer should be transparent, realistic about timelines and willing to communicate even when it’s uncomfortable. Look past wins and social media; consistency and horse welfare tell the real story. And when placing a horse, suitability matters more than price.
What makes these colt-starting competitions so influential, and how do you see them inspiring Oklahoma horsemen and horsewomen?
When we were managing the Cottonwood Equine Center in Montana, we realized our community needed more, so we began hosting ranch horse shows, trail courses, three‑man doctoring and ranch sorting. As we grew, we saw how few opportunities young trainers had to showcase their colt‑starting abilities. That gap sparked our competition. It’s always been about more than talent; it’s about sharing knowledge and creating a safe space for horsemen to learn from one another. After Montana and Arizona, the event moved with us to Oklahoma. Now in its fourth year, it feels right to bring it back to the community that first believed in us.
What guided your selection process for last year’s nationwide competition, and what qualities stood out in the trainers you chose?
The first year, we simply invited three trainers. It worked, but it wasn’t fair to everyone. Opening applications changed everything. The response was overwhelming, and four trainers became our standard. As interest grew, so did the challenge. We look for integrity, consistency and true horsemanship — trainers who stay respectful of the horse under pressure. This year, we added a second round: video introductions and training footage to help us choose the final four.
How did the distinct styles of last year’s trainers shape your understanding of authentic horsemanship?
It reinforced what we’ve always believed: feel, timing and patience matter far more than any single technique. In colt-starting, you see the full spectrum of self‑doubt, problem‑solving, adjustment and reinvention. Watching accomplished trainers navigate those moments reminds you that real horsemanship isn’t about perfection, but responsiveness and growth. It sends you home wanting to grab a colt and get back to work with fresh perspective.
With this year’s national competition returning to Montana, how can Oklahomans follow along from home?
Oklahomans can follow the competition live on our Facebook page, Real Deal Horses, LLC, and on our YouTube channel. We’ll be streaming the event and sharing updates throughout. Viewers can even send questions to the trainers during their sessions, creating a true two‑way experience.
What can you share about the upcoming Oklahoma Colt‑Starting Competition, and how can local trainers get involved?
We’ve been asked often to create an Oklahoma‑based competition that highlights local trainers and keeps Oklahoma horsemanship at the center. Our goal is to build an event rooted in education, fairness and true horsemanship. Applications opened after our national competition in April, and the Oklahoma event is scheduled for June. For updates, we encourage everyone to follow our Facebook page.
