This wasn’t Jim’s first brush with unconventional adventures. In his younger years, he tried bull riding for a season or two--and even rode a buffalo once. “They paid me to ride the buffalo,” he said, laughing, “along with four other cowboys.” It doesn’t get any more South Dakotan than that.” For cutting horse training, Jim hired Robbi Hanson, located outside Bismarck, North Dakota. The partnership worked well, built on mutual honesty and straightforward communication. Hanson even used buffalo as practice cattle. “They move quicker than beef cattle,” Jim explained. “Freckles handled them really well.” Jim later continued honing his skills in Fort Worth, Texas, where he also purchased a 5-yr-old gelding. “Red” was faster and more powerful and deeper-stopping than his starter mare. Red’s trainer from South Carolina had a goal for the gelding, and that was to have him perform in the top 10 at nationals in two classes. Jim showed both horses throughout the Dakotas and made two trips to Texas. No story about Jim Schott would be complete without mentioning his wife, Priscilla, whose own ranching legend is alive and well--just with a modern twist. After spending countless decades horseback, gathering cattle, mile after mile in the saddle, Priscilla now rides what the family affectionately calls “Ol’ Red.” And no, “Ol’ Red” isn’t a horse--it’s the four-wheeler. These days, “Ol’ Red” consistently beats everyone to the herd, dust flying and cattle moving before anyone else even crests the hill. While the miles in the saddle are well-earned and proudly behind her, Priscilla’s grit and ranch instincts remain unchanged. Whether horseback or horsepower, she’s still getting the job done. At a show in Blue Ridge, Texas, 759 horses were entered. Jim found himself sitting in first place aboard Freckles with only a handful of riders left. “The last contestant beat us by two points,” Jim said. “And that contestant was 12 years old.” Jim shook the young rider’s hand and congratulated him. At 80 years young, Jim had competed and placed against some of the best in the sport, despite having no formal, consistent training schedule. When asked if it was worth it, Jim didn’t hesitate. “Yes, yes and yes,” he said. My goal was to win a buckle. I won five. My long-shot dream was to ride my horse, Freckles, to the cutting horse capital of the world, Fort Worth, Texas. Within 11 months, Jim received notice from the National Cutting Horse Association that he had qualified with a full-paid certificate for the National Finals in Fort Worth beginning April 4, 2025. “It was an adventure, a journey, a blessing and a privilege.” Jim reflected. “It was given to me and allowed to me by my Great Employer...If you may be interested in who this employer is... His name is Jesus, the Lord God Almighty.” Jim had attended the world cutting horse finals for 15 years before ever competing himself. A lifelong singer and lover of music, he described the Fort Worth experience in poetic detail. “I don’t think all the people could hear the same music I heard,” Jim said. “Those bigger horses with larger shoes made a bass tone on the cobblestone streets. The small-footed horses were more tenor. Listen--it was a choir! That April of 2025 I was going down
the street of Fort Worth toward Will Rogers Coliseum and what suddenly hit me was music beyond my present words. Freckles, a beautiful, gifted, talented, strong athletic animal playing chimes with the shoes underneath her feet. The chimes were ringing in my ears with me in the saddle. “Yes, I took a few extra trips up and down the street.” Looking back, Jim sees the cutting horse journey as a natural extension of his ranching life. A big long-time dream come true at 80 years young! “The great cutting horse adventure came about because of my family’s past ranch lifestyle,” he said. “It opened a gate to a new pasture.” That gate--much like the many others Jim and his family have walked through--has led to relationships, lessons, and lifelong memories stretching from Washington State to Mount Vernon, Ohio, and everywhere in between primarily through the delivery of bulls from Schott Limousin Ranch. As Jim reflects on his life’s work, he remains guided by the same five priorities his father instilled in him--values that shaped Schott Limousin and the man behind it: 1. People -- relationships above all else 2. The Beef Industry 3. Quality Beef 4. The Limousin Breed 5. Money “People come first,” Jim says simply. And in every chapter of his life -- from cattle to cutting horses and MUCH MORE beyond, that belief has proven true. Looking ahead, the legacy continues. Schott Ranch is offering approximately 50 Limousin bulls for sale including 8 two-yr.-olds and 41 yearlings along with 35 open and bred heifers. Built on generations of integrity, attention to detail, and a deep respect for people and the land, these bulls represent the same quality and honesty that Jim Schott has stood behind for more than four decades. For more information visit www.schottranch.com.
SCHOTT Cutting Edge PRODUCTION SALE
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