Smokey's story Coming soon to a TV near you

POST FALLS - After BB's Smokey Dun collided head on with another horse last year, owner Diane Robson said her decision to put him down was "immediate."

"There was no question in my mind that he had broken his shoulder," Robson said of the accident during opening ceremonies of the Spokane Interstate Rodeo.

But Smokey had other ideas.

The 15-year-old registered American Blazer gelding - to the amazement of Robson and a veterinarian - used the shoulder to get in a trailer after the accident.

"That move saved his life," Robson said. "I remember the look in his eyes - not crazed, scared ... It was decided to take him home."

Smokey's amazing recovery and drive has won the hearts of the American Competitive Trail Horse Association.

The horse and Robson were one of 100 teams nationwide to qualify for the first "America's Favorite Trail Horse" reality TV series starting Sept. 13. The pair will be featured in episode No. 7 on Oct. 25. The show will be on Dish channel HR-TV (404) and cable channel ACTHA-TV.

Each episode will be shown three times - at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and at 7 a.m. on Sundays. Each episode will show 10 horses with the winner of each episode advancing to the finals.

Winners won't be announced until America votes.

"It's been a crazy ride," Robson said. "It's something that I've never dreamed of."

Robson said she likes Smokey's chances.

"I've got a rare breed - an American Blazer - that a lot of people haven't heard of," she said. "We're one of the judges' favorites. My goal is to win my episode to get the Blazer seen and noticed. That's why we started this whole thing."

The winner earns $25,000, second place $20,000 and third $15,000. Each of the 10 episode winners earns $5,000.

After Smokey's accident, which damaged his muscles, ligaments and nerves, he stayed inactive for several months with the possibility of still having to be put down.

"Well, nobody told Smokey that he might not have a future," Robson said. "Every week showed improvement on how he used that leg."

On New Year's Day, Smokey was turned loose in an indoor arena for the time since the accident.

"He ran and bucked and darted doing flying lead changes and rollbacks while I sat and cried," Robson said.

In April, Robson planned to take another Blazer gelding named Casey's Diamond Jim to the show's audition in Redmond, Ore., about eight hours away.

Robson, manager of Red Top Stables in Post Falls, pleaded with the association to hold an audition at Red Top due to a number of participants from this area.

The request was granted and so was the opportunity for Smokey to shine. Robson decided to show Smokey instead of Casey's Diamond Jim.

"If ACTHA had not come to me, I would have never auditioned Smokey," Robson said.

Smokey was chosen from the regional audition to participate in the national finals in May at the Franklin Family Ranch near Austin, Texas.

"We drove 2,400 miles for the filming of the show," Robson said. "He has not taken a lame step or given us any cause to worry."

The ACTHA hopes the show will encourage people to rescue horses in need of a home or that haven't succeeded with a discipline and ride them on the nation's trails.

Robson plans to have Smokey at the North Idaho Fair this week. People can be updated on their journey at BB'sSmokeyDun@facebook.com.

Robson said Blazers are bred for disposition, athletic ability, durability and heart.

"It's because of that heart that Smokey is here today," Robson said.