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Family, Horses and Wyoming Make a Perfect Fit For K.C. Carden
K.C. and Candice Carden with their daughter Kamryn.

Family, Horses and Wyoming Make a Perfect Fit For K.C. Carden

By Martha Claussen

SHERIDAN, WY—JUNE 25, 2015—American Quarter Horses are known for their explosive bursts from the starting gate and powerful surges to the finish line. That same description is a good fit for Wyoming horseman KC Carden, the owner of Y O Equine Ranch in Sheridan.

Carden lived and breathed that mentality as a high school and college track and field standout. His excellence in the 4x400 meter relay earned him a track scholarship to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

He parlayed his competitive spirit into training racehorses, embarking in that profession, full-time in 1991. Carden trained at racetracks all over the country, starting in Iowa, then in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Minnesota, and New Mexico.

His primary base of operation was Futurity Farms, a training center in Elgin, Texas. He had the good fortune to meet Candice Frome, a beautiful intern at the Elgin Veterinary Hospital. She shared his passion for the care and welfare of horses.

Training is hard work; long hours and tremendous amount of travel with Carden's circuit extending from Arizona to California to the mid-west and Canada.

So when he married Candice in 2006 they decided to return to her home turf. Since 2010, Carden has served as the ranch and stallion manager for the Y O Equine Ranch, LLC and Candace is the veterinarian at Powder River Veterinary Hospital & Supply's Sheridan location at the Y O Equine Ranch.

Life in Wyoming is a perfect fit the Cardens, and their charming 5-year-old daughter, Kamryn.

"My wife was born here (in Afton, Wyoming)," said Carden. "It's laid back and quiet and a great place to raise a family. Sure, it's colder here than Texas, but we just layer up!"

While Carden does not miss the daily grind of training, he admits that he could never have a career without horses. Currently a consultant and a breeder, he has four stallions on his ranch, including Brindis Por Cayenne, who ran third in Quarter Horse racing's richest race, the All American Futurity, in 2005, and retired with earnings in excess of $450,000.

State lawmakers passed HB 25 in 2013 which approved Historical Racing at licensed racetracks and offtrack betting facilities. Also known as "Instant Racing", Historical race wagering machines are similar to slot machines, but use historical races and a pari-mutuel formula. Patrons enjoy the thrill of winning a race, and infuse considerable revenue into racing and breeding.

Carden is very appreciative of the incentives created for Wyoming-bred racehorses.

"This is really something," he said. "Wyoming's program is growing and creating opportunities every year."

Created on a point system, breeders are eligible for financial incentives based on the performance of their Wyoming-bred racehorses.

"Within two years, the program has really grown," said Carden. "This year more than $1 million will be paid out. It's pretty exciting for me to have my stallion as part of the program."

"Horsemen in Gillette, Star Valley and Sheridan had stopped breeding," he added. "The tide has turned and now they see that the vision and opportunities are there."

The current state of Wyoming racing brings back fond memories for Carden from his Texas racing era. One of his most notable racehorses was a filly named Kool Kue Baby, who was almost as famous for her acquisition as she was for her excellence on the racetrack. While the majority of racehorses are bought at Yearling Sales, her owner, Ramiro Lopez acquired the diminutive filly in 1993, not for cash, but in a trade for two calves, two pigs and a cattle dog!

Kool Kue Baby began winning races, graduating quickly to stakes competition and became famous for much more than her unique purchase. Her numerous career highlights included two wins in the Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) and a record-setting 26 stakes wins. She retired in 2000 with a career record of 34 wins from 64 starts and earnings of $783,519. Kool Kue Baby was honored with the AQHA Supreme Racehorse award, which recognizes the elite American Quarter Horse based on earnings and stakes wins.

KC was one of the top trainers and owners in AQHA's Bank of America Challenge program, winning Leading Trainer in 2004 and Leading Owner in 2006 and 2007. He and partner David Stanford's S Bar S Racing enjoyed Leading Owner awards in 2008 and 2009.

Carden quickly points out that Historical Racing fosters economic for a wide spread group of equine professionals, not just the racetrack operators. The "trickle down" effect has been a boon for hundreds in Wyoming.

"We're talking about feed stores, farriers, farm operators as well as jobs at racetracks and OTBs," explained Carden.

The growth is gradual and encouraging, and Carden is appreciative of the progress to date. He does dream of even bigger things for the Wyoming racing industry.

"It would be awesome to have a big purse for a Futurity or Derby down the road," said Carden. "But for now, it's fantastic to see a state that had all but abandoned its equine industry is now excited about promoting Wyoming-bred racing!"