Fernando Salgado Reining Horses

Fernando Salgado: Professional Reining Horse Trainer in Gainesville, Texas, 15+ Years of Excellence

Experience the precision and passion of Fernando Salgado, an NRHA Million Dollar Rider and one of the sport's most dynamic Open professionals. Originally from Brazil and now based in Gainesville, Texas, Fernando brings over 15 years of professional experience to the reining industry. He is recognized for his exceptional ability to develop young prospects and his consistent presence in the Level 4 Open finals of the sport’s most prestigious events.

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Trainer Experience

Reining is a family legacy for Fernando Salgado. Growing up in São Paulo, Brazil, he was immersed in the performance horse world from a young age, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Jango Salgado, and his late brother and mentor, Eduardo Salgado. Fernando credits Eduardo with "teaching him everything," a foundation that has propelled him to the top of the American reining circuit.

In 2010, Fernando moved to the United States to master the sport at its highest level. He honed his craft under several of the industry's most elite trainers:

• Thiago Boechat: Serving as the first assistant at Xtra Quarter Horses.
• Andrea Fappani: Working for the NRHA $10 Million Rider to refine his "show pen" polish and technical maneuvers.
• Tom McCutcheon: Gaining experience in one of the world's premier reining operations.

Today, Fernando and his wife, Sabrina, operate Fernando Salgado Reining Horses in Gainesville, Texas. His program is highly sought after for its focus on young horse development and sale preparation.

Fernando Salgado’s Impressive Reining Achievements

Fernando’s career is marked by a rapid ascent to the million-dollar milestone and consistent success on the industry's biggest stages:

• NRHA Lifetime Earnings: Over $1,680,000 (as of 2026).
• NRHA Million Dollar Rider: Officially surpassed the million-dollar mark in early 2023.
• 2023 American Performance Horseman Team Champion: Helped lead Team Blue to victory and secured 3rd place individually in Reining.
• 2022 The Invitational Level 4 Open Champion: Riding FS Inferno to a major victory at the Tulsa Reining Classic.
• 2022 NRBC Level 3 Open Champion: A standout performance at the National Reining Breeders Classic.
• Million Dollar Competition Qualifier: A repeat qualifier for the prestigious The Run For A Million in Las Vegas (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025).
• Multiple Major Event Finalist: Consistent Level 4 Open finalist at the NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, and All American Quarter Horse Congress.

Fernando Salgado Reining Horse Training Program

Fernando is known for his "Focus on Finesse," a training philosophy that emphasizes making high-level maneuvers feel like the horse's own idea.

• Accountability & Connection: Fernando avoids "pulling" or constant holding. Instead, he challenges the horse to stay aligned and guided on a loose rein, holding them accountable for their own path.
• Style in the Circles: His horses are famous for running relaxed with a natural topline, a style that consistently earns "plus" marks from judges for looking natural rather than overtrained.
• Psychology of the Maneuver: Whether it's a stop or a spin, Fernando goes back to basics to ensure the horse is mentally fresh and not feeling pressured.
• The Rundown Specialist: He believes a sliding stop is only as good as the rundown. He spends 90% of his practice time on the approach and only 10% on the actual stop to maintain the horse's confidence.

Fernando's goal is to produce a horse that is solid, confident, and ready to go under pressure without losing its spirit.

Ready to Elevate Your Reining Horses? Contact Fernando Salgado Today!

Phone: (469) 900-5138

Email: fsreining@aol.com