MatlockRose

The Trainer's Trainer

Matlock Rose was one of the most legendary and influential horse trainers in the history of the American Quarter Horse and cutting horse industries. Widely respected as a "trainer's trainer," Rose built a reputation over more than six decades as an elite horseman, competitor, breeder, judge, and mentor. His impact on cutting horses, Quarter Horse bloodlines, and western performance horse competition helped shape the modern horse industry. Known for his quiet demeanor and uncompromising horsemanship standards, Rose became one of the defining figures of twentieth-century western horse training.

Born Berry Matlock Rose on August 12, 1924, near Little Elm, Texas, Rose grew up in North Texas ranch country during a time when horses remained essential for cattle work and transportation. His father farmed and raised cattle, and young Matlock learned horsemanship through daily ranch responsibilities. From an early age, he developed skills in riding, shoeing horses, roping, and handling cattle. Although he became best known for cutting horses, Rose was talented in many disciplines and was considered an all-around cowboy.

Waggoner Ranch and Building a Reputation

After graduating from high school, Rose served in the United States Navy during World War II. Following military service, he returned to Texas and began working professionally in the Quarter Horse industry. One of his first important positions came at the famous 3-D Stock Farm owned by W.T. Waggoner, where he worked alongside respected horsemen including Pine Johnson. Later, Rose trained horses for several major ranches and breeding operations throughout Texas, steadily building his reputation as one of the best horse trainers in the country.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Rose became a dominant figure in cutting horse competition. Unlike many trainers who specialized in a single event, he successfully trained and showed horses in halter, roping, reining, and cutting — in 1957 showing Steel Bars to the AQHA High Point Halter Stallion award. His versatility became legendary. It was during these years, at Lester Goodson's J3 Ranch, that he and fellow horseman Bubba Cascio worked together and became longtime friends.

Five NCHA World Champions

Shaping the Modern Quarter Horse

Rose built his training and Quarter Horse breeding operation near Gainesville, Texas, which became one of the premier operations in the western performance horse industry. There he stood champion stallions including Peppy San and Zan Parr Bar.

A Generation of Horsemen Learned From Him

Rose was known for being direct, disciplined, and intensely focused on quality horsemanship. Although often described as quiet and serious, he earned enormous respect throughout the horse industry because of his knowledge and consistency. Many later Hall of Fame horsemen either worked for him, learned from him, or were heavily influenced by his methods. His reputation extended beyond cutting horses into nearly every segment of the Quarter Horse world.

Matlock Rose passed away on January 5, 2008, at the age of 83. His influence remained visible through the horses he trained, the bloodlines he helped develop, and the generations of trainers who followed his example.

Accomplishments

• NCHA Reserve World Championship — Jesse James
• Trained five NCHA world champions and multiple AQHA world champions
• NCHA Futurity champion (1969, Cee Bars Joan); three NCHA Futurity reserve titles, including the inaugural 1962 Futurity on Peppy San
• Trained Peppy San to the 1967 NCHA World Championship
• Stood Peppy San and Zan Parr Bar — both AQHA Hall of Fame stallions
• Established the Matlock Rose Ranch, Gainesville, Texas — 1964
• NCHA Rider Hall of Fame inductee
• NCHA Members Hall of Fame inductee
• Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee
• AQHA Hall of Fame inductee — 2001
• World War II United States Navy veteran