Garth Gooding is the Markel/APHA Professional Horseman of the Year

By Jessica Hein, PHJ

Lifelong horseman Garth Gooding of Fennville, Michigan, will be honored July 1 as APHA’s Professional Horseman of the Year.

A second-generation horse trainer, Garth is an accomplished horseman and has helped breed, train and show horses who have won APHA and National Snaffle Bit Association world championships, All American Quarter Horse Congress championships, and year-end Honor Roll and Top 20 awards. He’s been a Markel/APHA Professional Horseman since 2010, and has served as an APHA judge since 2003, holding cards with APHA, AQHA and NSBA.

“I grew up showing Walk-Trot in APHA and it’s been my whole life. This is a lifetime culmination of dreams,” he said. “To be honored like this, there are no words to describe it.”

Garth says one of the most meaningful part of being a Professional Horseman is watching the people he’s coached achieve their own goals. Ashley Griffin, chairwoman of the 2021-2022 Professional Horsemen Advisory Committee, says that commitment was a large part of Garth’s selection as the Professional Horseman of the Year.

“Garth is an exceptional, humble horseman dedicated to serving as a role model and mentor to others who have become successful trainers, judges and exhibitors,” she said.

The ceremony takes place at the APHA Hall of Fame & Awards Ceremony July 1 at TX Whiskey Ranch in Fort Worth, Texas. Individual tickets and table reservations (seats 10) are available—don’t miss this night of camaraderie as we celebrate Garth and other awards winners, including the 2022 APHA Hall of Fame Inductees, Distinguished Service Award winner, Don Manuello Ring Steward Award winner, Gregg Reisinger Paint Horse Breeder Legacy Award winner, Judge Emeritus recipients, Gold Star Clubs and President’s Clubs of Distinction winners, and more.