It’s not just the ten-gallon hat and the distinctly southern drawl that separates Joe Harper from the New Englanders gathered at Marion’s Stone Tree Acres farm. On a horse Harper can wrangle a cow faster than you can say lickety split.

Reining cows dates back to the Spanish conquistadors, and was used to keep cattle in line as they were driven across long distances. Using the skills have now become a popular competition through organizations like the National Reined Cow Horse Association.

Harper, a Kentucky native, holds national and world titles in cow horse reining. On May 13 and 14, he came to Marion’s Stone Tree Acres to teach local horse riders his award-winning techniques.

Harper put himself through college (economics not animal husbandry) riding reining horses and discovered cow horse reining after graduation.

“I’m an adrenaline junkie. That’s the reason I like it. You get a cow running 30 miles an hour and you jump in front of it – there’s a lot of adrenaline running there,” said Harper who now tours the Eastern half of the country training horses and riders.

At the clinic, Harper taught a group of novice riders the basics of the competition.

“I’m going to help these people as far as learn how to control cattle and how to get horses to make certain maneuvers,” said Harper.

On the first day, the class rode for 10 hours to practice the skills.

“This is good practice for cattle work on a ranch,” said Jason Drass, a horse trainer from Middleboro who attended the clinic.

After the two-day camp, Harper said the students would be “just getting started” although they could begin competing at the “green” level.

Student Michelle Moynihan started riding at age 35 and said, “I went into the pen last year, but I want to get better at it.” She said the class had already helped her learn how to position and turn her horse more adroitly.

Harper said the sport was one that takes a lifetime to learn.“This is one of those deals that you could practice everyday for the rest of your life. There’s always a challenge. It’s the never-ending quest for perfection.”