A Wealth of Knowledge – Cochran Quarter Horses Begins Exciting New Chapter at Legacy Ranch in Pilot Point

By Delores Kuhlwein

“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.” — Chinese Proverb

Multiple World Champion and NSBA Quarter Million Dollar Rider Andy Cochran and World and Congress Champion Katie Cochran are beginning an exciting new chapter in their lives this spring.  Not only are they offering training at the incredible Legacy Ranch in Pilot Point, Texas, but Katie is officially giving up her Non Pro status to pick up the training reins.

“We’ve had unimaginable, great success the past seven years at Capital Quarter Horses building their breeding and show horse program we are both extremely proud and grateful,” she explains. Now, she says, they have a great opportunity to build their program and business from the ground up.

The facility where they’re creating that new legacy for themselves, aptly named Legacy Ranch, is a beautiful private facility with great management, stalls, footing, and arenas, Katie explains.  “We’re also excited because we are staying in the Pilot Point area.”

As their new client base grows, those clients will have much to look forward to, including the wealth of knowledge possessed by both trainers.  “Andy’s record speaks for itself,” explains Katie.  “He’s had great success showing both as a rider and as a Non Pro trainer by helping them to many World, Reserve, and Congress Championships, and that speaks volumes.”

Katie herself has always been a Non Pro rider, but this opportunity opened the door for her to step out and ride for the public. As a rider who has countless accolades in the Hunt Seat discipline, her experience preparing those Non Pro horses for herself has readied her for the role.   “The horses that I’ve had the opportunity to show and own have been horses a Non Pro could easily have stepped on,” she says. “The Hunt Seat horses are something we did together, and I’ll be specializing in that in our business.”

In addition, Andy’s abilities to not only prepare a horse for a Non Pro rider but to pair the right horse with the right rider will serve their Non Pro clientele tremendously. Andy reveals more about his philosophy below:

“First of all, you have to have a horse that matches the rider; some Non Pros are able to ride an open-type, more advanced horse that may take more to get around, and others can’t put in as much time to accomplish that, so you have to choose a horse that fits the rider,” he explains.  “Not every horse is Non Pro friendly and not every trainer is Non Pro friendly, and in the end, the Non Pros need to be able to step on and go out and feel as accomplished as the horse trainer does.”

He also says that patience is a key factor in the entire trainer/client relationship. “The more saddle time a Non Pro can get, the better, but either way, it’s not a full time job for a Non Pro, and it’s what we trainers do all the time, so patience is important.”  Katie mentions that Andy’s skill as a coach is invaluable, as he has the ability to explain concepts in black and white and in a user-friendly manner.

“We’re excited to be open to ride for the public as Cochran Quarter Horses at an amazing new facility,” says Katie. “Andy and I would like to thank the Roberts Family – Blair and Susan Roberts, and Hillary Timchak – of Capital Quarter Horses for their partnership over the past seven years. The legacy we built as team left a big stamp on our industry. We both are forever grateful for our time at Capital Quarter Horses.  We both want to thank everyone who has and will continue to support us over the years.”

Cochran Quarter Horses also would like to thank their sponsors for their continued support:

–       Cinch

–       Rod Patrick Bootmakers

–       Blue Ribbon Custom Tack

–       Show N Tell Saddle Blankets

–       DAC Vitamins and Minerals

–       Purina

–       Courtsey Promotions

–       Western Hauler

–       MidSouth Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery

–       Just Stitch It

 

 

You can find Cochran Quarter Horses LLC on their new Facebook page, or you can call Andy or Katie:

Andy: 501-681-0205; Katie: 828-443-1187, or by email at katie@cochranquarterhorses.com

 

Congratulations to the exciting new team, Andy and Katie, at Legacy Ranch in Pilot Point! We wish you all the best.

 

 

An incredible gallery of win photos demonstrating a glimpse of the success behind Cochran Quarter Horses, LLC.  Photo credit: Shane Rux Photography, Larry Williams Photography, Jeff Kirkbride Photography, and KC Montgomery.