Justin
Wright

A California Cow Horse Family — From Non-Pro to Open Champion

Justin Wright is an American horse trainer and competitor best known for his accomplishments in National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) competition. Based in Santa Maria, California, Wright became one of the leading riders in modern reined cow horse competition through major futurity victories, derby championships, and multi-million-dollar earnings in NRCHA events. His career reflects a long connection to California cow horse traditions and western performance horse competition.

Wright was raised around horses and cow horse competition in California. His father, Walter Wright, showed horses, and his brother Greg Wright also became successful in western performance horse competition before later focusing on cutting horses. Wright developed as a youth and non-pro competitor before deciding to pursue horse training professionally.

Before turning professional, Wright competed successfully in non-pro divisions, earning major non-pro finals appearances and reserve championships at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity riding horses including Smart Prize and Talkin Prize. He officially became an open rider in 2009 and began training horses full time.

Derby Titles, the Futurity, and the Million Dollar Milestone

Wright quickly developed a reputation for consistency in limited aged events and futurity competition. One of his first major open championships came in 2017 when he won the NRCHA Derby Open Championship aboard Lil Bay Hawk. The following year, he captured the 2018 NRCHA Derby Open Championship riding Shiners Diamond Cat, qualifying multiple horses to the Open Finals in consecutive years.

Wright reached an important career milestone in 2019 when he became an NRCHA Million Dollar Rider — a designation recognizing riders who surpass one million dollars in NRCHA lifetime earnings. In interviews following the achievement, Wright described the accomplishment as especially meaningful because it placed him among riders he had admired throughout his career.

The defining moment of Wright's career came in 2021 when he won the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Championship aboard Zak 34. The NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity is considered one of the premier events in the sport and showcases elite three-year-old horses competing in herd work, rein work, and fence work.

• Non-pro reserve championships at NRCHA SBF — Smart Prize & Talkin Prize
• 2009 Turned professional open rider
• 2017 NRCHA Derby Open Champion — Lil Bay Hawk
• 2018 NRCHA Derby Open Champion — Shiners Diamond Cat
• 2019 NRCHA Million Dollar Rider
• 2021 NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity Open Champion — Zak 34
• 2023 The Run For A Million Cowhorse Challenge Champion — Scooter Kat

The American Performance Horseman and Beyond

Wright has also competed at the sport's highest-profile events, including The American Performance Horseman, where in 2023 he was named to Team Red alongside Lloyd Cox and Shawn Flarida. He has shown Scooter Kat (owned by Eric Freitas) to multiple titles, including the 2023 Run For A Million Cowhorse Challenge.

Wright's horsemanship style emphasizes practical cow work, rein control, and helping horses remain confident and responsive throughout competition. Beyond showing, he has remained active through clinics, training videos, horse development, and coaching programs.