March 2023 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN March 2023 Page 59 By Alicia Stephens Martin A reining pattern, when executed correctly, is nothing short of an artistic dance. A series of maneuvers between rider and horse that implements lead changes, spins, perfectly paced circles, and the anticipated sliding stop in what appears to be effortless. The grace of a skilled rider-horse combination can bring equestrians of any discipline as well as non-horse spectators to a standing ovation, even tears. Professional Matt Palmer is one of the talented reiners who, with strict practice and unconditional drive, performs the dance in the competitive arena. Matt’s lifetime accomplish- ments are numerous, from a two-time USEF (United Stated Equestrian Federation) Gold Medalist, a five-time NRHA (National Reining Horse Asso- ciation) World Champion, and consistent ranking as a NRHA Top 20 Professional, just to name a few. In 2022, he ful- filled a dream by qualifying and competing in the elite Run for a Million —deemed by many as the richest event in reining histo- ry—presented by Teton Ridge in Las Vegas at South Point Arena. Although, he didn’t obtain the highly sought-after title, Matt firmly believes if you love what you do, eventually the hard work pays off. And this horseman’s determination is sliding him back to the 2023 reining arena to hope- fully re-qualify for The Run for a Million, as well as capture his next goal of becoming an NRHA Million Dollar Rider. Let’s backtrack to the hum- ble beginnings of both NRHA and Matt’s drive to bring his success back to Pennsylvania. The National Reining Horse Association was founded in 1966 with a mission to promote the discipline of reining. For decades the organization has continued to grow. However, in the last six years, reining has reached new NRHA Top 20 Professional Matt Palmer Brings It Back to PA levels of popularity because of the Run for a Million . Produced by the co-creator of the Yellow- stone TV series, both the industry and sport have benefited. An- other door expanded when the same producer, Taylor Sheridan, created the series The Last Cow- boy , a weekly reality television show that chronicles the lives of talented athletes, both equine and human. This program has ener- gized the high-stakes sport and introduced reining to the masses. Matt Palmer has been rooted in the horse industry by the most influential people in his life, his parents, Guy (a non-professional competitor) and Joan Palmer (a professional trainer). At age 7, his family moved to a farm in Pennsylvania where life was simple, with a 10-stall barn and no indoor arena. What Matt remembers most is the daily hard work beside his family laboring at what they loved. Matt showed throughout his youth and claimed the NRHAWorld Title for ages 13 and under, then went on to win the 14-18 age bracket the same year his father brought home the world title in Non-Pro. Even though reining and horses were an integral part of his life, Matt had another aspiration. Baseball. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins before an injury ended his dream. His adage be- came: If I can’t do baseball, I’ll do horses. Matt said expectations were high for him as a horse trainer because of his family background and past awards, but (Continued on page 68) Matt Palmer rides Gunnatrashtheplace in the 2021 Shootout at the Run For AMillion, the ride that qualified him to compete in the 2022 Run For AMillion in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo credit: © Waltenberry