Illinois professional trainer Colton Smith is a firm believer that each horse he trains must be able to do its job in its sleep, in order to be a solid citizen for its rider.

And so his program is built on a lot of muscle memory and repetition.

“I spend a lot of time confidence building with the young horses, and keeping things fresh for the seasoned show horses,” he explained. “At the end of the day, I want each horse in my barn to enjoy its job and try hard for us.”

Smith established his own program in 2014 at a facility, owned by his parents Brad and Nikki Smith in Kankakee, Illinois, where he grew up and attended nearby Herscher High School and Olivet Nazarene University.

But that move came only after years of experience in the horse show industry, first as a competitor and later as an assistant trainer.

“My mom took me to the hunter jumper barn with her when I was little,” Smith said. “I was instantly hooked, and it all escalated from there.”

As a young competitor himself, Smith learned from some of the best in the industry, including Steve Heckaman, Bill and Tina Kaven and Ty and Karen Hornick.

He worked for Brian and Dawn Baker back in 2011 and then for Saul Sliss and Farley McLendon from 2012 to 2013.

“As an adult, I soaked up as much as I could from everyone I had the opportunity to work for,” Smith said.

His own facility is situated on 50 acres in northeastern Illinois and includes 35 stalls, both indoor and outdoor arenas.

“We have several smaller turnouts for the show horses to enjoy some down time, as well as a large field that our broodmares and a few retired show horses live in,” Smith said. “We are blessed to be able to produce our own hay, which is more than enough to feed our herd, as well as sell a small amount.”

Smith met his wife, Val at a horse show in Michigan and they were married in November of 2020.

Smith especially enjoys being able to share his knowledge and experience with people in his home state, all while building his own personal program.

Although his personal passion has always been Western Pleasure, over the past five years or so his operation has expanded into the all-around events.

“While Trail has really become a fun class for me, I also enjoy Horsemanship, Showmanship and Equitation,” he said.

Smith has had the opportunity to train numerous highly successful show horses including Rock N Radical, a 2010 buckskin gelding by Radical Rodder and out of Chocolates N Lace, who he had as a 2 and 3-year-old. Smith showed the gelding to a Top 10 in the 2-Year-Old Non-Pro Western Pleasure at the Congress. He sold him as a 3-year- old, and purchased him back for his wife to show the all- around as a 10-year-old.

He says Mega Lazy, a 2014 bay gelding sired by Lazy Loper and out of Mega Hot, marked a turning point in has career, getting him involved in all-around events.

“He’s the horse that gave me the passion to learn Trail and add the other events as well.

“I won a lot of All- Around trophies with him,  and his owner had a very successful all-around career with him as well,” Smith said.

Another major contender in Smith’s  program was UF Parked At The Bar, sired by The Best Martini and out of Prissy Legs that Smith showed to a Top 10 in Junior Green Trail at the National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Show.

As much as Smith enjoys having a horse he trained become successful in the show pen, he is just as excited when one of his clients succeeds.

“I have always given lessons, but I wanted to become a great coach, and have people walk away from each ride feeling prepared and like they’ve gained something from that day.” he explained. “I still spend a lot of time explaining myself each day, even if it’s to nobody. I just want to stay in the practice of giving the reason behind my ‘why’ at that moment.”

Last month, Kyra Koester and Special N I Know It won the Amateur Western Pleasure at the AQHA Level 1 East Championship Show in Wilmington, Ohio.

“She had a pretty successful year last year, with several Top 5 and Top 10 placings in the All Around events at the Congress,” he said. “In 2022 I had the pleasure of starting Quinn Kats on the AQHA circuit with minimal showing experience, and coached her to a Top 10 placing at the Congress in the 13&Under Equitation.

There is also Stephanie Morgan and UF Parked At The Bar who have been Top 10 at the NSBA World in the L1 Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. And Val Smith and Rock N Radical have been Top 10 at the NSBA World in the Color Non- Pro Trail.

No matter what discipline, Smith says his favorite part of the job is the “lightbulb moments” for both horse and rider.

“It’s when you see it all click, and your hard work paying off,” he said.

When Smith is not riding or at a show, he really enjoys hunting.

“Deer, ducks, goose, you name it,” he said. “I would love to go Elk hunting. I spend as much time outdoors as possible, whether it’s cruising the property on a golf cart, sitting out by the fire or enjoying time in the pool in the summer. We’re real big on grilling out and family time in the summer when we’re home.

You can contact Smith by calling (815) 530-8473 or at Smith Horse Company on Facebook.

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