Duane Latimer Reining Horses

Duane Latimer: Professional Reining Horse Trainer in Belle Center, Ohio, 42+ Years of Excellence

Experience the pinnacle of reining with Duane Latimer, an NRHA Hall of Fame inductee and legendary horseman whose career spans over four decades of international success. Recently named the head trainer at Thor Sport Ranch in Aubrey, Texas, Duane is a Two Million Dollar Rider celebrated for his technical mastery, longevity in the arena, and his unique ability to develop elite equine athletes with a foundation of correctness and trust.

Trainer Experience

Reining at the highest level requires a deep-seated understanding of the horse's mind and body. Duane Latimer brings over 42 years of professional experience to the sport. Growing up as a "trainer's kid" in Canada, Duane was immersed in horse training from a young age, showing everything from halter to western riding before specializing in reining.

Duane’s journey to the top was paved by working with and for the industry’s most iconic figures:

• Bob Avila: Duane worked for the Hall of Fame horseman in Oregon, gaining critical experience with all-around performance horses.
• Bob Loomis: On January 1, 1998, Duane joined the legendary Bob Loomis in Marietta, Oklahoma. During his time there, his career skyrocketed, as he earned over $1 million in just five years and became the NRHA’s fourth Million Dollar Rider.
• International Success: Duane spent years training in Italy for Lucio Ferrarini, a move he credits with giving him his first opportunity to focus exclusively on straight reining horses.

Following an eight-year tenure leading the winning program at XCS Ranch, Duane has now entered a new chapter at ThorSport Ranch, where he oversees a comprehensive program that takes horses from breeding to the finish line of major show arenas.

Duane Latimer’s Impressive Reining Achievements

Duane’s resume is one of the most decorated in the history of the National Reining Horse Association:

• NRHA Lifetime Earnings: Over $2,700,000 (NRHA Two Million Dollar Rider).
• NRHA Open Futurity Champion: Secured the title on The Great Whiz in 2003, winning the first-ever $175,000 paycheck in the event's history.
• FEI World Equestrian Games Individual Gold Medalist: Represented Canada in 2006, taking the Individual Gold and Team Silver.
• 2x NRBC Level 4 Open Champion: Winning on Conquistador Whiz (2000) and Modern Gun (2018).
• 2x NRHA Derby Open Champion: Including titles on the legendary Conquistador Whiz.
• 6x AQHA World Champion: Showcasing versatility and excellence across various Quarter Horse events.
• USET Equestrian of the Year: A prestigious honor recognizing his impact on the sport at a national and global level.

Duane Latimer Reining Horse Training Program

At ThorSport Ranch, Duane leads a program centered on consistency, longevity, and foundational correctness. His training philosophy is built on the "Five Keys to Consistency," emphasizing that a horse cannot learn through fear or intimidation.

• Confidence-Building Rewards: Duane believes in consistently rewarding correct responses with a pat or a mental break, ensuring horses stay "happy in their work."
• Individuality & Limitations: His program is tailored to each horse's physical and mental capacity, avoiding over-pushing talented prospects to ensure their long-term soundness.
• Development from Birth: Under his guidance, ThorSport focuses on a complete cycle—breeding, raising, and training—to produce horses grounded in a shared vision of trust.
• Quiet Mastery: Known for his "quiet" hands and subtle cues, Duane produces horses that are light, responsive, and capable of the high-scoring maneuvers required to win at the Level 4 Open level.

Duane’s approach is that of a thoughtful mentor; he treats the training process with the perspective gained over decades, ensuring that every horse he touches has the tools to succeed under any rider.

Ready to Train with a Legend? Contact Duane Latimer Today!

Phone: (406) 4713501

Email: dw_latimer@yahoo.com