Bill Black and his 20-year-old Foundation
Quarter Horse Mr. Critter Bars were named
American Ranch Horse Association (ARHA)
Ranch Roping World Champions at the ARHA
World Show in Bowling Green, Kentucky, at
the end of June. The pair bested 15 other
horses and riders for the win.
?This horse is just incredible,? says Black.
?He can pack little children around the ring
at home or go win a world championship.
He?ll do it all at whatever level he is
asked to.?
Black has owned and trained ?Critter? since
the chestnut gelding?s birth. Critter truly
is a part of the Blacks? family. In 2002, he
and Christy Black?Bill and Linda?s
daughter?won the Indiana State 4-H Junior
Reining Championship. Critter is also an
integral part of the Blacks? ranching and
colt-starting operations at their Cross 9
Ranch and has taught countless people how to
ride.
Bill and Linda Black have owned and operated
Cross 9 Ranch, 40 minutes east of
Indianapolis in Spiceland, Indiana, for
fifteen years, growing the business from two
horses to more than 20 horses at a time and
hundreds of students. The method of teaching
and training employed by the Blacks?the
language of the horse?is universal and
effective throughout the spectrum of
equestrian sport. Linda?s undaunted patience
and thoroughness with both horse and rider
and Bill?s attention to detail attract
students from all disciplines to the
learning environment at Cross 9 Ranch. In
November 2004, the ranch was featured on
WFYI?s ?Across Indiana? television program.
