Tom McCutcheon's THE SHOW

Tom McCutcheon Reining Horses

NRHA 2 Million Dollar Rider, Tom McCutcheon sits with Million Dollar Rider, Gunny Mathison, Trainer / Judge, Joe Schmidt, and weekly guests to discuss The Reining Industry!
In each episode, Tom, Gunny, and Joe dive deep into conversations with top riders, trainers, and industry experts, sharing their stories, insights, and strategies for success.

Whether you're a seasoned competitor, a passionate horse enthusiast, or someone just curious about the world of Western performance horses, this podcast offers a front-row seat to the excitement, challenges, and triumphs of the sport.

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25 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 17 min
English

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S1 · E139
Friday · 1 hr 8 min
Yearling Colt Sells for $270,000 at the 1st Annual Designer Sale, EP 139 | Pepe Briseño
Dun Deja — a yearling colt by Gunner out of Dun Its Deja Vu, consigned by Toyon Ranch — was the high seller of the 1st Annual Designer Sale at $270,000. The man holding the card was Pepe Briseño. Pepe joins Tom, Gunny, Joe and Cade to talk about how that deal came together. He came to the sale looking for prospects to compete in Mexico; this colt wasn't the plan. He walks through what changed his mind, where Dun Deja is headed and who's training him, why his client overruled the recommendation to leave the colt in the States, and why people were calling about breedings before the horse ever left Texas. From there, the sale itself. Friday night's Designer Sale averaged nearly $87,000 on 30 head and reset what a yearling sale is supposed to feel like — Pepe's read is that the quality brought buyers who came to buy, not to watch, and that Friday night pulled Saturday's average up roughly $7,000 over past years right along with it. Then a look at the reining business south of the border: the Cala and what it takes to win one, why more than 400 three-year-olds enter every year, how Mexican-bred horses went from a handful in the finals to the majority of them, what it actually costs to raise and train a horse in Mexico, and why Pepe is hunting an outcross now that half the country is breeding to Gunner sons. Plus: The Gladstone days and the old World Equestrian Games qualifiers, and a nod to Jose Vasquez — a self-made million-dollar rider and Hall of Fame member who did it on horses he bred and raised himself. And yes, there's a plan forming to put Tom in a charro suit and enter him in the Cala.
S1 · E138
September 16 · 1 hr 13 min
Mandy McCutcheon on the Legacy Sale & the New Designer Sale, Plus Some Other Shenanigans | EP 138
The Legacy Sale is this weekend, and this year there's something new: the Designer Sale on Friday night. Mandy McCutcheon joins Tom, Cade, Gunny, and Joe to walk through the whole weekend — what the Designer Sale is, why she limited it to 31 yearlings, and what she's trying to build with it. Instead of an all-day marathon, Friday is a red carpet & cocktails at 5, dinner at 6, and the sale starting at 7, with a band, open bar, champagne and pictures for buyers, and enough time to actually let every horse have its moment. She also gets into how self-regulated the consignors were on this one — good X-rays, bred right, beautiful and well-fit across the board — why she thinks this year's catalog is the best group she's seen, and why Saturday's sale might be the strongest in years in its own right. The schedule: Friday, September 18th — red carpet & cocktails 5:00pm, dinner 6:00, Designer Sale 7:00 Saturday, September 19th — breakfast at 10:00, Legacy Sale starts at 11:00 Held at: Thor Sport Ranch, 4100 Reining Road No dress code — Can't make it? Everything is online with videos posted, and you can bid from anywhere. Questions about a ANYTHING, call Mandy or Jennifer Anderson! Mandy: 940-453-7543 Jennifer: 405-401-4759 Plus: 26 years of this sale at the same facility, the first-year stories, the Tulsa recap, Congress plans, and the Waco championship that Gunny would like everyone to acknowledge. Shop this year's horses & view the catalog: https://legacysale.com/
S1 · E133
September 12 · 1 hr 20 min
From Planes & Automobiles to Reining Horses | EP 137, John Tague
John Tague was a part of the team who turned United Airlines around after one of the largest bankruptcy filings in the industry's history, helped run Hertz Rental Car, and sat in rooms with a hundred creditors — but many only know him as a successful breeder, owner, and board member in the reining world. Today, you get to hear his whole story... John and his wife Nancy own Toyon Ranch, where they stand a group of very successful reining stallions, and keep roughly 160 head on the property to produce a foal crop each year. John came up in the hunter/jumper world as a working student at 13, left school early, took an entry-level analyst job in aviation at 21, and was an officer of a public company by 25. He and Nancy moved into western performance around 2011. In this one, John walks Tom and the boys through how he got involved with United, the hardest decision he ever had to make there, and why he now spends his time on the NRHA Executive Committee instead of corporate boards. The group gets into the association's financial turnaround, why sponsorship dollars follow purse money, the push to invest in affiliates and regional futurities, whether the sport is getting too hard to compete in, the amateur division question, and what rising horse prices mean for the person breeding at home. Plus: the Tulsa recap, Nancy's $600 Calcutta steal, and Tom's ongoing problem with the paper towel trap door on airplanes. BE SURE TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE! #reining #podcast #horses #equine #talkshow #tommccutcheon
S1 · E136
August 28 · 1 hr 18 min
How 1 Special Colt Built His Career | NRCHA 2 Million Dollar Rider, Clayton Edsall, EP 136
Every 2 Million Dollar career starts somewhere. For Clayton Edsall, it started with one colt — shown by a green young man who'd never done it before, and good enough to make the Futurity limited finals. That horse set everything in motion. This week Clayton joins us fresh off winning the NSHA NRCHA Futurity in Las Vegas, and the conversation covers a lot of ground. Clayton drops one of the best training analogies we've heard in a long time — something about an elephant, a Coke bottle, and a peanut that you'll have to hear in context. Then there's the time he took a very, very expensive dressage horse for an unauthorized joyride down a dirt road, and a motor-home-and-trailer story so unbelievable we're not going to summarize it here. We also get his honest take on schooling shows, prepping three-year-olds for three disciplines at once, working cattle in 105-degree heat, and the NRHCA Run for a Million qualifier schedule — plus how much the Run for a Million has grown the western performance horse world, and the friendships that come out of being part of it. New episode of The Show — streaming now wherever you get your podcasts. 🎙️ Subscribe for new episodes every week. 📲 Follow us: Instagram: @tommccutcheons_theshow 🔔 Got a guest or topic you want to hear on the show? Drop it in the comments. #NRCHA #cowhorse #reining #TheShow #TomMcCutcheon #ClaytonEdsall #runforamillion #NSHA #ranchhorse #westernperformance #quarterhorse #reiningpodcast
S1 · E135
August 20 · 1 hr 4 min
The 2026 Run For A Million Champion, Kole Price | EP 135
Golden Coins, indeed. In this episode of The Show, Tom McCutcheon sits down with Gunny Mathison, Joe Schmidt, and Cade McCutcheon to talk with 2026 Run For A Million Champion Kole Price — fresh off one of the wildest nights in reining history, a record-breaking 237.5 on Golden Coins.We go inside a stacked 16-horse field where six-plus horses had already marked over 230 before Kole even entered the pen, and break down how a night that could've gone either way turned into a record-setter. Kole walks through the mental prep that changed everything from the NRBC run to this one — earplugs, paid warm-ups, and treating a six-year-old like he still needs to be shown, not just patted on the neck. He gets into the specific fix he worked on for days before the show (starting his right turnaround off his outside leg instead of his neck rein) and the exact moment mid-run when he knew something special was happening.We also dig into the judging of one of the deepest classes ever, the scribe who told Kole he was sitting on a 77.5 before his stops even started, and what's next for Golden Coins — a run at the Derby, a shot at the Million, or knowing when a horse has already proven everything it needs to. Plus: Cooper Smith and Kelsey's surprise on-site barn wedding, Vegas blackjack winners and losers, and why a town of 2,000 people has Kole Price's face on the water tower.Congratulations again to Kole Price and Golden Coins — this is reining at its best.🎙️ Subscribe for new episodes of The Show every week.📲 Follow us: Instagram: @tommccutcheons_theshow🔔 Have a guest or topic you want to hear on the show? Drop it in the comments.#reining #NRHA #RunForAMillion #TheShow #TomMcCutcheon #KolePrice #GoldenCoins #reininghorses #westernperformance #quarterhorse #reiningpodcast #NRHAfuturity
S1 · E134
August 10 · 1 hr 1 min
Homebred Futurity Champion | Franco Bertolani EP 134
We're back for another episode of The Show! Tom McCutcheon, Cade McCutcheon, Gunny Mathison, and Joe Schmidt sit down with NRHA Million Dollar Rider, Franco Bertolani, fresh off winning the Level 4 Open Futurity at the 100X Brazos Slide. Franco traces his path from barrel racing as a kid in Brazil to learning his reining foundation in Italy, and his move to the US in 2012. Our guest shares his plan moving toward the NRHA Futurity with his special 3 year old by Inferno Sixty Six out of Blueyedgirl, skipping the Congress and showing sparingly along the way. The crew digs into why a 221 barely cashes a check anymore, why Brazil's strict import rules built a tougher domestic market than Europe's, and the never-ending debate over hauling three-year-olds straight through versus laying over. Whether you're looking for industry news or just pure entertainment, this episode has it all! #podcast #brazil #horsetraining #equine #equinepodcast #horsetrainers #reining #reininghorse
S1 · E133
August 10 · 1 hr 16 min
Does Price Determine a Horse’s Potential? – Cooper Smith Says No...(EP 133)
Tom McCutcheon, Cade McCutcheon, Gunny Mathison, and Joe Schmidt welcome longtime friend and legendary horse trader Cooper Smith for a wide-ranging conversation straight off the heels of the 100X Waco Futurity. The crew breaks down recent standout runs from Franco Bertolani, Luca Fappani, and Miriko Midili, debates why 220+ scores barely cash a check anymore, and tackles the real question every reining fan is asking: is the sport still affordable for the average competitor?Gunny opens up about his new gig as a CBS Sports commentator for the Run For A Million in Las Vegas alongside Steve Ross, Taylor Sheridan, and Francesca Sternberg — a big step for the horseman known for calling it like he sees it. Tom also reflects on his recent Hall of Fame induction and the letters that got him there, while Cooper brings decades of trading wisdom to the group’s debate on horse values, from six-figure studs to $5,000 diamonds in the rough.Along the way: previews of the Tulsa 100X show and the new First Annual Legacy Designer Sale, plus plenty of trademark chaos — cannoli cowboys, mariachi bands, and a busker debate that somehow takes over the second half of the show.#reining #podcast #nrha #futurity #tommccutcheon #therunforamillion #halloffame #reiningpodcast #equinepodcast
S1 · E132
August 2 · 1 hr 6 min
Reining's Debut at the Calgary Stampede | Dany & Fred Tremblay Episode 132
Reining took center stage at one of the biggest events in the world — and the Tremblay Boys were right in the middle of it.Dany & Fred Tremblay join Tom McCutcheon, Cade McCutcheon, Gunny Mathison, and Joe Schmidt to break down reining's debut at the Calgary Stampede — catch-riding horses they'd never sat on, in front of 1.4 million people, and what it meant for growing the sport. Plus:Reserve Champion at the NRHA Derby with a 232The new era of reining money — from $130K to $1M+ yearsWhy "work hard, have fun" still wins: taking care of customers, late nights, casinos & Half Moon BayShows running past midnight — and whether it's time for that to change🎧 New episodes drop regularly — subscribe & turn on notifications.📲 Follow along: @tommccutcheons_theshowThis episode is dedicated to the memory of our friend Shane Walters. 🤍#reining #NRHA #TMRH #reininghorses #calgarystampede #horsepodcast #performancehorse
#131
June 5 · 1 hr 25 min
Building the Solo Select Empire: Melanie Smith | Episode 131
This week, the guys sit down with Melanie Smith, co-owner and co-founder of Solo Select — a rapidly growing business that spans horse sales, breeding, mare management, stallions, products, outdoor services, and more. Melanie shares how she got into the horse world, the journey that led her to starting Solo Select, and what her partnership with Ty Smith has looked like along the way. The conversation dives into the building of the Solo Select brand, how they've expanded well beyond horses, and what it's taken — financially and personally — to get there. Melanie also opens up about debt, managing finances, and the motivation that's driven everything she's built. Of course, it wouldn't be a full episode without some laughs — and this week even includes a little singing. A big thank you to Melanie for joining us and sharing her story!
#130
May 29 · 1 hr 10 min
The Man with No Plan B: Gunny Mathison | Episode 130
This week, the guys turn the mic on one of their own — co-host Gunny Mathison takes the guest chair. They dig into how Gunny got his start with horses, his days playing high school baseball, and somehow, how golf entered the picture. From there, the conversation covers the types of horses Gunny gravitates toward, his accomplishments in the industry, and some great stories from the past — including what it was like coming to work for Tom at just 18 years old. The guys also get into Gunny's bit and spur making, which has become a craft and passion all its own — including how a pair of spurs can fetch a serious price tag. Beyond horses and hardware, they talk about the way Gunny approaches life in general, which anyone who knows him won't be surprised by. With plenty of laughs and a format that flips the usual dynamic, this one's a fun change of pace — and a great look at one of the guys who's always been part of the conversation.
#129
May 22 · 1 hr 33 min
From the NFL to the Horse Industry with Davon Godchaux | Episode 129
This week on The Show, we’re joined by Davon Godchaux for a conversation that covers far more than just football. Davon shares what life in the NFL is really like, talks about making the transition from LSU to the professional level, and gives some behind-the-scenes perspective on teams, locker rooms, and the realities of playing at the highest level. The conversation also dives into Davon’s growing involvement in the horse industry, including how he got started with horses, his place in Weatherford, his thoughts on breeding, and the questions he has as he continues learning more about the industry. Along the way, the guys discuss hard work, relationships, making lasting impressions, and what it takes to create opportunities and build success. And somewhere in between all of that, there are plenty of jokes and moments that send the conversation off track. Thank you to Davon for joining us on this week’s episode!
#128
May 15 · 1 hr 16 min
Family, Legacy & Reining Through the Years with Shawn & Sam Flarida | Episode 128
This week on The Show, we’re joined by legendary NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida and his son, Sam Flarida, for a conversation full of stories, perspective, and plenty of laughs. Fresh off making his first Level 4 Open Finals at the NRBC, Sam talks about the experience and what it meant to reach that milestone, while Shawn reflects on decades in the industry and the people and horses that helped shape his career. The guys also look back on Tom and Shawn’s WEG days, discuss how the reining industry and horses themselves have changed over the years, and talk about legendary horses like Wimpys Little Step and Wimpys Little Chic. From grit, heart, and what separates good horses from truly great ones, to the dynamic of working together as a father and son in the training business, this episode is packed with insight, memories, and the kind of conversations only lifelong horsemen can have. Thank you to Shawn and Sam for joining us on this week’s episode!
#127
May 8 · 1 hr 5 min
Multimillion Dollar Non Pro Trainer, Debbie Brown | Episode 127
This week on The Show, the guys sit down with Debbie Brown to talk about her long career in the horse industry, the people who helped shape it, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Before spending the last 12 years working for Tom McCutcheon, Debbie got her start with the McQuay family and built a career centered around helping non pros succeed in and out of the show pen. That dedication was recognized in 2021 when she was named NRHA Horsewoman of the Year, and again in 2025 as the NRHA Non Pro Coach of the Year. In this episode, Debbie shares stories from throughout her journey, talks about college and getting started in the industry, reflects on the many people she’s worked with over the years, and offers advice for younger generations hoping to make a career in the horse world. Along the way, there are plenty of laughs and memories shared between old friends. A huge thank you to Debbie Brown for joining us!
S1 · E119
May 1 · 58 min
From Go-Round Leader to Champion: Reed Kyle’s NRBC Story | Episode 126
On this episode, we sit down with the NRBC Level 4 Non-Pro Classic Champion, Reed Kyle. This one is a special one. Reed isn’t just an accomplished showman, he’s also our Bluebonnet Feeds sales rep and a longtime family friend, which makes this conversation feel a little more like sitting around after a horse show than a typical interview. We dive into the full story behind his winning horse, Geronemo, from where he found him to how the opportunity came together for Reed to show him at the NRBC. Reed walks us through the entire journey, including leading the preliminary go with a standout run and what it felt like to come back and seal the deal in the finals. Beyond the win, we get into the details that people don’t always hear. The preparation, the mindset, and what really goes into putting together a championship performance at that level. Of course, it wouldn’t be this group without some stories. The guys go back to the old Kyle Ranch days, Tom’s legendary Halloween parties, and a few moments that might be considered slightly controversial. We even get some great behind-the-scenes stories about Reed’s dad, Pete, including one from a basketball tournament that you won’t want to miss. It’s equal parts insight, storytelling, and good conversation.
#125
April 10 · 1 hr 13 min
Inside the Showjumping World with Olympian Laura Kraut | Episode 125
This week, the guys sit down with Olympian Laura Kraut for a conversation that steps outside the reining pen and into a completely different side of the horse industry. They talk through what makes showjumping unique—from the team aspect at the highest levels to how young horses are developed, how breeding decisions differ, and what separates top riders when it comes to picking a horse. Laura also shares how the industry operates in the U.S. compared to Europe, what it’s like spending summers in Holland, and how the sport has evolved over the years. The conversation covers everything from Thoroughbreds and the development of Warmbloods to safety equipment like air vests, splitting prize money, and the realities behind the price tag of top-level horses. There’s also a lot of discussion around how differently the showjumping and reining industries operate, from training timelines to competition structure. Along the way, the guys mix in plenty of laughs—covering everything from “list your injuries” to Nutella waffles—and even touch on Laura’s connection to Mandy from years ago. Thank you so much to Laura for joining us on this episode!
#124
April 3 · 1 hr 4 min
Gabriel Borges: From Brazilian Rodeos to Million Dollar Rider | Episode 124
This week, the guys sit down with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gabriel Borges, fresh off a win at The Run For A Million Qualifier. They break down the qualifier, the level of competition it takes to get it done, and what it means heading into Vegas. Gabriel also shares his story—from getting started in reining in Brazil to making the move to the United States, learning English, and building a career at the highest level of the sport. The conversation dives into his time working for Tom, the trainers who have influenced him along the way, and a broader look at how the horse industry differs between Brazil, Europe, and the U.S. They also touch on non-pro vs. open horses and what it takes to succeed across different programs and environments. Of course, it wouldn’t be a full episode without some laughs—including a conversation about Gabriel’s mate habit—and plenty of real talk about horses, training, and the realities of making it in this industry. A big thank you to Gabriel for coming from Oklahoma and joining us on this week’s episode!
#123
March 27 · 1 hr 19 min
The Run For A Million Qualifier Recap with Ben Beckett | Episode 123
The Run For A Million Qualifier at Bosque Ranch brought together some of the best riders, horses, and runs — and this week, we’re breaking it all down with one of the standout competitors. Fresh off securing the final qualifying spot with a 9th place finish, Ben Beckett of Beckett Performance Horses joins the show to recap his experience at the TRFAM Qualifier. From preparing for the event to stepping into the pen alongside some of the industry’s top riders and trainers, Ben shares what it took to get the job done when it mattered most. The guys dive into the runs, the horses, and the overall atmosphere at Bosque Ranch, while also getting into the bigger picture — horsemanship, mindset, and what it really means to take a shot at an opportunity like this. From behind-the-scenes insight to real conversation about the journey, this episode gives an honest look at competing at one of the biggest stages in the sport — and why sometimes, you just have to go for it. A big thank you to Ben for taking the time to join us and share his experience!
#122
March 20 · 1 hr 37 min
From Hollywood to the Horse Industry: Growth, Authenticity & the Future
This week on The Show, we sit down with Taylor Sheridan — creator of Yellowstone and one of the most influential voices in modern western culture. The guys talk to Taylor about how he got his start in the horse industry, his path into acting and writing, and what it actually took to get projects like Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923 picked up. The conversation dives into the realities of the entertainment industry, what his day-to-day life looks like now, and what he’s currently working on. We also discuss his involvement in the western and performance horse industries through his own ranch, Bosque Ranch, along with his involvement in the ownership of the historic 6666 Ranch. From there, the conversation turns to the origins of The Run For A Million, the upcoming TRFAM qualifier, and the continued growth of the reining industry. Throughout the episode, the guys talk about increasing visibility for the performance horse world, making it more of a spectator sport, and what that kind of growth could mean for the industry moving forward. Taylor also shares insight into his business ventures, including his ownership of Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Fort Worth, as well as the bigger vision behind everything he’s building. A big part of that vision is authenticity — preserving the western way of life and making sure what’s shown on screen reflects the real world. As Taylor puts it, nothing is accidental, and that attention to detail shows up in everything he does. Plus, we get into Tom & Cade’s experience on Yellowstone and how moments like that are helping bring more recognition to the western lifestyle and horse industry. A big thank you to Taylor for joining us — we appreciate him taking the time to sit down and share his perspective.
#121
March 13 · 1 hr 23 min
Should Reining Judging Change? AQHA Two-Year Rule & Industry Debate | Episode 121
This week on The Show, the guys dive into several topics currently being discussed across the reining and performance horse industry, including the proposed AQHA rule on frozen semen, conversations about ¼-point scoring in reining, and what these changes could mean for breeders, competitors, and the future of the sport. Although there wasn’t originally a guest scheduled, Dave Williams ended up jumping in to fill the chair, which quickly became a running joke throughout the episode. Dave talks about his business, Nautilus, an equine therapy spa focused on helping horses recover, perform, and feel their best. He also shares the story of riding Wimpys Little Step as a two-year-old, offering a fun look back at the early days of one of reining’s most influential stallions. From there, the conversation shifts to the proposed AQHA semen rule, which would limit the use of a stallion’s frozen semen to two years after his death, with stallions born before 2015 grandfathered in. The guys discuss what a rule like this could mean for breeding programs, stallion owners, and the long-term impact on genetics within the industry. They also talk about the idea that occasionally gets floated around about adding ¼-point increments to the reining judging scale, and whether a change like that could improve accuracy and consistency in scoring. Along the way, the conversation touches on the Run for a Million qualifier coming up next week, thoughts on the broader direction of AQHA, and a brief mention of the new NRHA schooling show dress code rule. With plenty of laughs and honest opinions, this episode covers a wide range of conversations currently happening across the reining, breeding, and performance horse world. • • • The Show Podcast | Reining Horses | NRHA | AQHA | Performance Horses | Horse Industry Conversations
#120
February 28 · 1 hr 39 min
How Million Dollar Performance Horses Changed the Industry | Austin Shepard
The performance horse industry isn’t what it was 10 years ago — and few people have had a front-row seat to that shift like $11M+ rider and NCHA Hall of Fame member Austin Shepard. In this episode of Tom McCutcheon’s The Show, we dive into the rise of million dollar performance horses, the sales that changed the cutting industry, and how major events like The Run For A Million have influenced the broader western performance horse market. Austin shares his perspective on how the game has evolved — from horse values and showmanship to work ethic, mentorship, and what it takes to stay relevant at the highest levels of competition. From million dollar mares to industry growth, leadership, and the next generation of horsemen, this is an inside look at how cutting — and the entire performance horse world — continues to change. Whether you’re involved in cutting, reining, cow horse, or simply follow the western performance industry, this conversation offers insight you won’t hear anywhere else.

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