North Carolina trainer Wade Black describes his method of training in three words: Keep It Simple.

“I strive to make my horses easy to ride as that will make them easy for my clients, future buyers and trainers,” Black says. “Each client and horse are individuals in my program, I tailor my program to fit their needs and goals.”

It’s a mantra that has served Black well as he has trained, shown and coached horses and clients to championship titles at the nation’s most prestigious shows and futurities.

Growing up in Springfield, Ohio, Black was born into the horse show lifestyle. Both of his parents were horse trainers so his early years were filled with barn chores before and after school, riding anything with four legs around the farm and traveling to shows on the weekends and all summer.

“When I was a teenager I was debating if horses was what I wanted my life to be about so I went to work for a dairy farm for three years,” explains Black. “Having that time away made me realize that working with horses is what I wanted to do.”

So at the age of 18, Black went to work for Western Pleasure trainer Randy Wilson, Zanesville, Ohio.

“I was there for three years and got my foundation on training horses from him,” Black says. “After that I went to work for Stanley and Susan Scott in Florida for a year before going out on my own for several years in Ohio.”

In early 2007 Black went to work for Ty and Karen Hornick in Jamestown, Ohio. He stayed there until December before moving to Roberta, Georgia to become a part of the CT Quarter Horses operation.

“I was grateful for the opportunities those jobs gave me to ride and show great horses,” Black says. “After three years in Georgia I decided to go back out on my own and move my business to North Carolina.”

Wade Black Quarter Horses is now located on 23 acres in Alexis, North Carolina, about 20 miles from the Charlotte airport, making it very convenient for clients. The facility includes a 16-stall show barn, equipped with mats and a fly spray system; a 150-by-85 indoor arena; a 60-foot round pen; an outdoor pen and several turnouts.

The program specializes in the training and preparation of Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle horses, from young futurity horses to seasoned show veterans.

Over the years Black has trained such decorated horses as two-time Congress Reserve Champion Extremely Hot Chips, who won every major futurity and was the Non-Pro Congress Champion and placed third at the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show.

“I knew he was special the first time I saw him,” Black recalls. “He was a once in a lifetime horse to train and show.”

He also trained and/or exhibited Heavenly Mac, Don’t Skip Foxy, HistoryRepeatsItself and Certified So Hot.

He has coached clients to Congress championships, AQHA Amateur World show Top 10 placings, Congress Top 10 placings and wins at every major futurity, superior honors and Regional Show championships.

“Coaching my daughter, Alexa, to her win in the 2012 Congress Small Fry Horsemanship has to top my list,” Black says. “I was so proud of her as she had gotten close in years past but seeing her hard work and determination pay off meant a lot to me as a dad.”

When he is not at the barn or at a show, Black enjoys hunting, and believe it or not….mowing the lawn.

“I enjoy doing yard work,” Black admits. “Every time we come home from a show the first thing I want to do is get on the lawnmower. I guess I find it relaxing?”

He also makes it a point to get in a vacation every year.

“We love going to the beach,” Black says. “Every winter we take a trip to Jamaica and every summer we try to get to Myrtle Beach with Alexa. It’s nice to have some down time since most of the year is hectic with travel.”

You can visit Wade Black Quarter Horses on the web at http://wadeblackquarterhorses.com. You can also contact Black by calling (937) 307-1141 or emailing wadeblackqh@hotmail.com.