CUTTING WAY OF LIFE

TRENT SMITH grew up around horses and have been riding as long as he could remember. He started out in showjumping as his older siblings were highly involved in the sport, but his underlying passion of working stock on horse back led me to a short stint in campdrafting and then he progressed to cutting.

Trents and his parents purchased a 2yo cutting bred filly, Erin’s Jewel from the NCHA Sale to draft and she showed a lot of potential, so he decided to train her for the Snafflebit Futurity in 2008. They made the finals and then he was hooked, Trent had only been cutting for 12 months. Up until then Trent was self taught, he would watch videos and other professional trainers. He knew he needed to go to the States for more experience.

During his three years in the USA pursuing a cutting career he was fortunate enough to partake in a lot of showing in which he was able to mould his training regime. Trent was also lucky enough at the commencement of his three years of showing to pick up a World Title in which he used to benefit his career as a trainer today. Trent believes that by having a lot of experience in showing from his time in the US, his career as a professional cutting trainer has benefited tremendously. Trent now feel very confident when working a young horse and knowing if the horse possesses the correct criteria of a show ready cutting horse. The aim is always to train a cutting horse that is completely cow smart.