NSBYA Spotlight- All in The Family
By: Steve Wheat
Greg Wheat. A name that many of you may know, but some of you may not. So here’s a little background. Greg grew up on a farm in rural Mississippi. Here, he discovered his love of horses through his grandfather, who, by chance, owned Quarter Horses. His childhood experiences hooked him on horses. He started off breaking colts, just like so many others. From there, he grew to become a Western Pleasure trainer. He did extremely well, and was later offered the position as head Western Pleasure trainer and General Manager for the Roberts family in Ocala, FL.
While there, Greg negotiated the purchase of A Sudden Impulse. Breeding A Sudden Impulse to some of the industry’s best mares, led to the Roberts and their associates winning numerous NSBA shows and Congress Championships. Also while working for Roberts, he helped start the “Roberts’ Whistle Stop Futurity.” Before the end of this Futurity, it became the second highest paying futurity in the country behind the Congress. Because of his accomplishments, he was the first trainer to have a NSBA spotlight. All of these things sparked his interest in the governing side of NSBA. Mr. Wheat became a board member and was on a multitude of committees within NSBA that handled many important details.
After 10 years here, Greg left Florida and headed to Masterson’s Farm in Tennessee. Here, he also trained and was very successful. While he was at Masterson’s farm, he negotiated their purchase of RL Best of Sudden. This has led to a wonderful and successful breeding program at Masterson’s farm.
After an injury while riding, Greg decided to slow down and move closer to family. The Wheat family moved to Louisiana and it is here where Greg decided to concentrate on his son, Steve’s, show career. Also, it was here that he had the idea to start a NSBA Futurity, the NSBA Summer Breakout Show, located Cloverdale, Indiana. After a successful two years, Mr. Wheat plans to continue his futurity and will eventually move it to the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio.
Now, a new and exciting chapter begins in his life. Greg and his family find themselves once again back in Ocala. The Roberts family offered him another opportunity. This time he would be supervising the construction, completion, and running of the new World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. He is now planning on hosting large equine events to help grow NSBA and other associations to continue this way of life for so many others. He has done all of this to help better the American Quarter horse industry and to grow NSBA and other associations.
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