The Rise Of The Owner/Breeder/Exhibitor

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370 – September/October, 2026

By Brittany Vermeer

For years, an invisible yet understood divide has existed between the horse exhibitor and the horse breeder. They are two distinct camps that benefit and serve each other; but for the most part, they stay in their own lanes.

A horse exhibitor is generally a Youth or Amateur who keeps their own animals for pleasure. They might have one, two, three or more horses. They enjoy traveling the circuit competing with their own animals who become like pets and members of the family.

A horse breeder might own a stallion, mares, or both. They examine bloodlines and select crosses they believe will create a foal they can then sell to an exhibitor or owner.

Now, there are some equestrians who dabble in both segments of the horse industry (à la an Amateur whose show horse is also a stallion). But for the most part, that’s the minority.

However, over the past decade there’s been a noticeable rise in the number of owner/breeder/exhibitors (OBE) who are dabbling in both. We chatted with four AQHA Amateur and Youth competitors from different disciplines: Halter, Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, and All-Around to learn more about their “boutique breeding” operations. These four ladies don’t just compete with their own horses; they’re helping mold the next generation through smart crosses with respected bloodlines.

Samantha Foust – preserving a regal bloodline

Click here to read the complete article
370 – September/October, 2026