He was born in Oregon and grew up on a ranch where ponies then horses were a way of life.

She was born in Connecticut and took her first riding lesson at age 7.

But in 2017 Duke Williams and Alyssa Casa met through mutual friends at a horse show (of course) and hit if off.  After trying the long distance dating thing for a year, Alyssa moved to San Marcos, Texas, where Duke’s training business is located and they have been a team at Duke Williams Performance Horses ever since.

Each brings a different background and set of experiences to the program. 

Duke attended Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon where he was a member of the rodeo team. He got his start in the business working first for cow-based trainers Kurt Pylman and Brian Connors before joining Brad Jewett in Texas where his attention turned to American Quarter Horse Association all-around events.

“My first training operation started in 2006 in Oregon – training mostly colts, cow horses, and rope horses,” he said. “In 2010 I moved to Texas and after learning the all- around for five years I then started my all around business in 2015.”

Alyssa attended the University of Findlay in Ohio and competed on the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team. She worked for several trainers over the years including Jason English, Tommy Sheets, Nick and Carmen Mayabb, Reid Thomas and Bruce Vickery. 

“I was lucky enough to learn a little something from each one,” she said. 

But they share the same philosophies and commitment to the horse.

“As trainers we try to be the best horsemen we can be,” Duke said. “It’s not only for the horse, but we believe it helps translate to the rider how to also be better and have more of an understanding of why we do what we do.”

And they know it takes a certain amount of flexibility to survive.

“We are always trying to evolve which will make us into better coaches as well,” Alyssa said. “We also believe it’s crucial to be on the same page with owners, veterinarians, and farriers to give these horses the best care possible. Without a team, you won’t get very far. Horse training is so much more than just riding.”

They currently rent 16 stalls at a facility 20 miles south of Austin and have a covered arena, round pen, hot walker and a few turn-out pens.

Their training program focuses on all-around events: Trail, Horsemanship, Showmanship, Equitation, Hunter Under Saddle and Western Riding. And they coach youth, amateur and select competitors.

Over the years they have had the opportunity to work with such decorated show horses as:

            • Lazy Bonez – 4th Place AQHA World Show in Level 2 Junior Trail.

            • Dont I Look Good – Top 10 Quarter Horse Congress in Junior Western Riding.

            • Good ToBe Lazy – Reserve Quarter Horse Congress Champion.

            • RV Miracle Machine – Top 10 AQHA World Show in Level 2 Senior Trail

            • Cowboys Aint Easy To Luv – PHBA World Champion in Junior Western Riding and Junior Hunter Under Saddle.

            And, their clients have achieved major accomplishments:

            • 2020 AQHYA World Champion 13 & Under Trail.

            • 2019 AQHYA Reserve World Champion 13 & Under Trail.

            • 2018 AQHYA Bronze Champion 13 & Under Trail.

            • 2017 Reserve Quarter Horse Congress Champion Level 1 Youth 14-18 Horsemanship.

But Duke and Alyssa say their favorite part of the job is the process of training the horse and the rider to become a team.

“Once it clicks, it’s really fun to watch and coach,” Duke said.”

“We also really enjoy bringing young horses along in new events and watch them go on to be great show horses,” Alyssa added, “it’s very rewarding.”

You can call Duke at (541) 350-3477 or Alyssa at (203) 305-5712. Or you can visit them on the web at www.dukewilliamsperformancehorses.com or on Facebook or Instagram.