Drew DeBuhr Approaches $100,000 Earning Milestone
Images courtesy of NSBA.
Professional trainer Drew DeBuhr, of Eldora, Iowa, is approaching the $100,000 milestone in NSBA lifetime earnings.
Drew and his brother, Denton, have been fixtures on the NSBA and AQHA circuits for years, but their roots go back to spotted ponies.
“When we were kids, Denton and I showed POA ponies, and we did that all the way through high school,” Drew explained. “Our uncle, Mike Davis, was a Reining horse trainer and was a big influence on us. We learned a lot from him. We also had a lot of people who were really helpful along the way who lived close to us, like Burdette Johnson, who was big in AQHA events.”
“Denton was older than me, and he went to work for Jeff Cochran right out of high school,” Drew said. “I would go down and see them at the barn, and I worked for Jeff here and there at some shows. After high school, I had started my own little training business, but Denton suggested that I go and learn from other people.
“The first person I worked for was Rusty Green. After that, I worked for Richard and Debra Donnelly preparing Halter horses here in Iowa for a little bit and showed at AQHA shows around the Midwest, and then I went to work for Pat Heeley, who was also close to home here in Iowa.”
One piece of advice from his mentor still guides him today.
“Rusty Green told me once that if you can only get a horse ready for yourself, you’ll have a hard time making a living in this business. But if you can get a horse ready for other people and they can be successful, it will take your business to the next level. I’ve never really forgotten that.”
Drew took a long-term training position at Richland Ranch in Auburn, Illinois, working for John and Sandra Narmont for five years, before returning home to Iowa to begin his own training business.
Today, Drew and Denton work in the same barn in Eldora, Iowa. “We like being in the same barn. It lets us be eyes on the ground for each other as we’re training our horses,” Drew said. “The facility we lease belonged to Greg Reisinger, who was big in the APHA world and unfortunately passed away in 2020. His son, Mark, has horses in training with Denton and is very involved in the industry and knows what it takes in the day-to-day operations. We have a great group that we work with.”
Inspiration To Train
When asked what motivates him, Drew didn’t hesitate.
“I love it because the majority of my wins have been on younger horses. I love the thrill of finding the next good horse, especially the next two year old. Throughout the year, you’ll hear that so-and-so has a nice horse, but the thing about it is that you never know, until you show, what you have. That’s especially true on a two year old, because there are so many variables.”
“The other thing that I really enjoy is working with those people who really want to do it and really try and work hard. There’s nothing more enjoyable than seeing them succeed. A lot of customers that have been around me have been with me for a long time, and they’re still with me, which has been great. I also enjoy helping my wife Brooke prepare her horses and watching her succeed. She enjoys this just as much as I do, and that’s been great to experience together.”
Among some of the horses that Drew has seen success with include Cowboy Cut, Only Ever After, Suddens Leadin Lady, Troubles A Blazin, Lazy N Shy, Cuz Shes Worth It, Mr Zippos Goodbar, Hot Without A Doubt, Whata Moonlite Ride and The Breeze.
Best wishes to Drew as he continues toward his next goal: to reach the NSBA Quarter Million Dollar milestone in NSBA earnings!
About NSBA
Established in 1983, National Snaffle Bit Association has expanded from its roots in the Western Pleasure discipline to recognize various disciplines and eight breed associations in competition. NSBA’s mission is to grow the show horse community through various equine programs and events where every activity benefits horses, breeders, owners and exhibitors alike.
National Snaffle Bit Association has more than 20,000 active members and more than 44,000 registered horses across its eight alliance breed organizations. NSBA members earn more than $13.5 million in monetary awards at NSBA-sanctioned horse shows annually, and the association sanctions nearly 600 horse show events and close to 200,000 horse show entries each year.
To learn more about NSBA, please visit nsba.com.
