Zach Favorite grew up in Paris, Kentucky, a small town just outside Lexington.

Although most of his neighbors shared a passion for the Thoroughbred, Favorite was drawn to the Quarter Horse and Western Pleasure events.

As a youngster he competed in 4-H and open shows and following his graduation from Bourbon County High School, Favorite decided to make showing horses a career.

In 2005, he went to work for Ty and Karen Hornick of Jamestown, Ohio as first assistant trainer.  From there he went on to work for Donnie Recchiuti, Kenny and Ashley Lakins, and Fritz Leeman Farms.  As an assistant trainer at those places he helped produce numerous Congress and futurity champions.

“I learned so much from the trainers I worked for,” he said. “I’ve learned hard work and dedication pay off. There’s so much that goes into starting a coming 2-year-old, and getting that horse in the show pen. There are highs and lows, good days and bad days, but it’s very rewarding in the end.”

In the summer of 2007, Favorite met Michelle Burch in New Castle, Indiana while showing. By Christmas 2010 the two were engaged. Zach branched out on his own, opened Zach Favorite Show Horses in 2011 and married Michelle.

“I have wanted to be a horse trainer since I was little and after five years of assisting some of the industry’s finest trainers, I decided to give it a run for myself,” Zach said.

Success came quickly. Teamed with A Good Cookie, a 2007 mare by Zippos Mr Goodbar and out of One Classic Chip, Favorite captured championship titles at the A Little Futurity, Tom Powers Futurity, and The Southern Belle Invitation in western pleasure

He also logged top five finishes at the NSBA World Show and Breeders Championship Futurity.

Favorite coached his wife and clients to wins and top five finishes at all the major futurities and at the Congress in Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle.

Favorite is looking forward to the 2013 show season and to have horses for his wife this year after a short break following the sale of A Good Cookie and Money N Da Bank.

“We have a wonderful group of people and horses this year,” Favorite said. “We will both be showing two of our own, Good Luck Only and a home grown baby, A Chrome Cookie.”

This year, Zach and Michelle are very excited to announce the construction of their new training facility in Michelle’s hometown. Located on 40 acres in Kent, Ohio, the heated barn contains 20 stalls, a 100-foot by 150-foot indoor arena, an outdoor arena, a round pen and beautiful fenced pastures.

Zach specializes in the development and training of young Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle horses and their riders.

You can reach Favorite at (859) 707-8348 or visit them online at www.zachfavoriteshowhorses.com.