Ranch Horse Classic Buckle Series Show #2 August 21st at Tuclatota Creek Ranch!
FEatured Trainers/Judges
Gary Roberts
Laurel Walker-Denton
Laurel Walker-Denton
Gary Roberts and his wife Kelley own and operate Roberts Ranch in Murrieta, CA, where they train horses for AQHA all around, VRH ranch and NRHA reining competition. Gary is the 2014 recipient of the AQHA Professional Horseman Award. He is an AQHA, NRHA and NSBA carded judge and had judged the All American Quarterhorse Congress twice, NSB
Gary Roberts and his wife Kelley own and operate Roberts Ranch in Murrieta, CA, where they train horses for AQHA all around, VRH ranch and NRHA reining competition. Gary is the 2014 recipient of the AQHA Professional Horseman Award. He is an AQHA, NRHA and NSBA carded judge and had judged the All American Quarterhorse Congress twice, NSBA World Championship Show twice and the AQHYA World Show twice. Most recently, he judged the Ancillary/Affiliate Finals at the 2019 NRHA Futurity.
Some of Gary’s Ranch Horse related accomplishments include: Reserve World Champion Junior Ranch Riding, numerous top five and top ten placings in both the Junior and Senior ranch riding at the Aqha world show and in the national standings. Coached amateur riders to top ten placings at aqha world show. Multiple circuit championships in ranch riding, ranch Trail, ranch rail and ranch conformation. Winner of the prestigious Don Leson all around ranch horse saddle at the Az Fall Classic.
Laurel Walker-Denton
Laurel Walker-Denton
Laurel Walker-Denton
Laurel Walker Denton, raised on the Bar U Bar Ranch in Skull Valley, Arizona, grew up riding horses and working cattle. Laurel has spent her entire life in the show ring, earning points in fourteen different events. Today her focus is on training Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail horses. Laurel been at the top of the AQHA World show in Ranch R
Laurel Walker Denton, raised on the Bar U Bar Ranch in Skull Valley, Arizona, grew up riding horses and working cattle. Laurel has spent her entire life in the show ring, earning points in fourteen different events. Today her focus is on training Ranch Riding and Ranch Trail horses. Laurel been at the top of the AQHA World show in Ranch Riding since its beginning, winning a World Championship and Third place in 2017, Reserve World Champion and Third in 2019, as well as numerous Top Five, Top Ten and Finalist awards. Making it back in the finals in every class at the 2019 World Show, including three in the Sr Ranch Riding, was an amazing accomplishment. An AzQHA Past President, Laurel is also currently editor in chief of The Arizona Quarter Horse magazine, which she volunteers her time to the Arizona Quarter Horse Association. She served as an AQHA Director for 17 years, is currently a Director At Large and a member of the AQHA Show Committee. An AQHA judge since 1996, Laurel has judged the all of the AQHA World Shows, Open, Amateur, Select and Youth. She is also an NRCHA judge. Laurel and her husband Barry are proud to own and operate the Bar U Bar Ranch, which has been in the family since 1945.
Michael Damianos
Michael Damianos
Michael Damianos
Michael is AQHA, ApHC, AHA, NRCHA and NRHA carded. After graduating from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Michael Damianos knew he wanted to train horses and judge horse shows. Michael Damianos Performance Horses was established in December of 1982 and the story began. Originally focusing on American Quarter horses, MDPH has evolved into a bou
Michael is AQHA, ApHC, AHA, NRCHA and NRHA carded. After graduating from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Michael Damianos knew he wanted to train horses and judge horse shows. Michael Damianos Performance Horses was established in December of 1982 and the story began. Originally focusing on American Quarter horses, MDPH has evolved into a boutique Arabian horse training business, specializing in training Arabian and Half Arabian horses in all western disciplines, sport horses, showmanship, equitation and hunter pleasure. American Quarter Horses are welcome and are a large part of their legacy. Michael also coaches amateur riders in the same events. Since 1991, Starbuck's Ojai Valley Ranch has been the home of Michael Damianos Performance Horses.
Michael has judged many prestigious shows throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Australia, and Japan. His trail, reining and showmanship clinics have been enjoyed by scores of amateur and professional horsemen. Michael has also been a pioneer in modern trail course design. He is a past recipient of the APAHA Working Western Trainer of the Year Award (twice) and the USEF Barbara Worth Equestrian of Honor award.
To visit Michael’s website, click here: https://www.michaeldamianos.com
Ben Balow
Michael Damianos
Michael Damianos
Raised on a cattle ranch in Skull Valley, AZ, Two-time World Champion Reining horse trainer Ben Balow always knew his life would include horses. What he did not know at a young age, is that horses would form his career and that he would become one of the most highly regarded non-pro trainer and NRHA judge in the Western United States.
As a
Raised on a cattle ranch in Skull Valley, AZ, Two-time World Champion Reining horse trainer Ben Balow always knew his life would include horses. What he did not know at a young age, is that horses would form his career and that he would become one of the most highly regarded non-pro trainer and NRHA judge in the Western United States.
As a young man, Ben knew he needed knowledge if he were to make his dreams reality, so he left Skull Valley for a time, and surrounded himself with Top trainers of the time such as: Mike Drennan, Brett Stone, Mike Kevil. Les Vogt and NRHA Hall of Famers Charlie Smith and Bill Horn. Each of these men left an impression on Ben and helped shape the trainer and rider he is today.
Ben opened his own training facility in Skull Valley, Arizona in 1990 aptly named Ben Balow Training Stables. In 2019, Ben and his family, relocated to Wickenburg AZ, where he continues to run his training business. Some of Ben’s esteemed accomplishments include winning The NRHA Reserve world champion Limited open title in 1989 riding Colonel Rosie, winning The NRHA Reserve World Champion Intermediate Open in 1999 riding Hollywood Surprise. Ben won The 2012 NRHA NAAC Reserve World Champion Intermediate Open riding Hollywood Downtown.
As an NRHA Judge Ben has had the privilege of judging some of the most illustrious NRHA events in our industry. Ben has judged the NRBC, The NRHA Derby multiple times, The NRHA Cowtown Classic, The NRHA European Futurity, and the NRHA Futurity in OKC. The Carolina Classic and numerous Affiliate Championship shows throughout the United States and abroad.
Ben continues to compete and coach non-pros and has just created his own line of working tack designed for the rigors of daily use by trainers and horse enthusiasts alike.
With his “don’t quit” attitude and the NRHA stronger than ever, the future looks bright for this Arizona native who still proudly calls the Arizona Desert his home.