Chris Johnsrud
Chris Johnsrud has won in excess of $831,000 and has been training for the public out of Weatherford, Texas for the last nine years. He was born and raised on a ranch in North Dakota.
How did you get started in cutting?
“My aunt and uncle are the first ones who got me started in cutting horses. They owned a couple and and I rode them…”
Who did you work for?
“Al Dunning for about a year. Scott Martin for about 2 years, and Gavin Jordan for a year and a half.”
Chris also spent two and half years training for Carol Ward. He and his wife Megan now own a beautiful horse training facility in Weatherford Tx that is accepting horses in training. Chris also works with amateurs and non pros of any level.
What’s your favorite quote?
“One of my favorite quotes is from John Wayne. He says life is tough. It’s even tougher when you’re stupid or making bad decisions.”
What was your most memorable moment in cutting?
“Marking a 223 on Fracker Brown in the first go round of the futurity. Winning the first go round.”
Chris Johnsrud relaxing with Fracker Brown
What would you say is the biggest myth people think about cutting?
“Well, I’m going to steal Duncan Steele-Park’s on that one. He told me this one:
‘They say a good horse trains itself’. “I don’t believe that, I think that there’s good horses, there’s bad horses, but they all need to be trained. A good one’s easier to train obviously. I don’t believe that a good horse trains itself. You still have to train the horse.”
What is your training philosophy?
“The cow means more than me… the cow needs to take over, the horse needs to be trained. But no matter what the cow means more than anything. It still needs to be a cow horse.”
What is some advice you have to someone wanting to be a trainer or an up and coming trainer?
“Dig your heels in, work hard. Don’t stop trying. It’s a lot of work. Don’t give up if you love it and that’s what you want to do. Don’t be scared. It’s a long road ahead of you but it is what it is. I love it. If that’s what you want to do, be prepared to work. That’s what I can say.”
Click Here To Watch Chris’s Videos!