The horse show industry reaches far and wide and of course, all across the world. Chris Dalton tells us about his journey to the United States and how he got involved with training horses.
Initially from Newcastle, United Kingdom, Dalton developed a passion for horses and never looked back. At a young age, Dalton started riding English horses until he was 15 and then, the journey of becoming a horse trainer began.
Just five short years ago, Dalton traveled 3,623 miles across the world where he has found a new home in Stanton Michigan. Dalton currently works for Baldwin Quarter Horses who specializes in the all-around events and offers training, lessons, clinics and evaluations.
Chris shares with GoHorseShow his future goals, past accomplishments and much more.
Q: Hi Chris! How did you get involved with horses and the horse show industry?
A: That’s a bit of a funny answer, I was involved with English showing, eventing and show jumping. When my mom, who use to watch the old Westerns, always wanted a paint horse, she bought one and brought it back to the UK. The rest is history – I was hooked.
Q: What is your favorite class to show in and why?
A: My favorite class is the trail. I love how technical it is and the precision of it. It’s always a class I enjoy doing. Every horse is different in mastering trail, and that’s what makes it so much fun to show and train.
Q: What is it like showing in Europe and how is it different from showing in the US?
A: It was fun showing horses in Europe; I liked how it was more personal. The most prominent difference of showing over here in America is the quantity of quality. We have some very nice horses in Europe, just not as many as over here.
Q: What surprised you the most when you came to the US?
A: The most surprising thing when I first came to the US would be how easy it is to get around and how people are willing to drive further than people would be back home. A funny story would be, when I arrived in Michigan for the first time, I came in the middle of January in the middle of a snowstorm and frigid temperatures. That was a shock to the system.
Q: What has been the hardest thing to get used to as far as living in the US?
A: The hardest thing to get used to in the US was not having my friends or parents around. I didn’t know many people at the time, and it was hard to adjust. Not being able to go out and do things like my mates and I did back home was a bit devastating, but I quickly made friends with all the clients.
Q: What are a few of your significant AQHA accomplishments?
A: In 2015, I placed in the top 10 at the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Green Trail as well as Top 15 in the Senior Green Trail in 2017. Also in 2017, I was the state winner in the Open and Green Trail in Michigan. In my last youth year, I competed at the Youth World Cup and received Gold in Western Riding.
Q: Why did you want to become a professional horse trainer?
A: I just have a passion for it and love being around horses all day. If it’s not their attitudes that make them who they are, it’s their personalities, and I love everything about them. I enjoy learning and growing, continually making myself better. I wanted to be an assistant over here in the US because of the competition level. Not only is it a lot harder, but it gives me the challenge to make myself the best and strive every day to reach my next goal.
Q: Who has inspired you the most?
A: My biggest inspiration would have to be my boss, Christa Baldwin. She has been able to succeed in so many aspects of the horse industry – from being AQHA Professional Horsewoman of the Year, an AQHA judge and an outstanding trainer and coach.
Q: What are your future goals?
A: I would like to continue and be a very successful professional trainer. One day I would love to win a World Championship title, and I strive to be at the highest level of every aspect of the industry, whether it be training, coaching or judging.
Q: What would you like to see improved in the industry?
A: I just want to see AQHA keep improving as a whole. Every little thing we can do to make it more enjoyale and more accessible is a good thing.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to future horse trainers/assistant trainers, what would it be?
A: Nothing significant comes easy. You have to start from the bottom and work hard to get to where you want to be. Training horses isn’t something that happens overnight; it’s a process. But it is the best reward when every step you have worked hard for comes together. If your hearts in it, do it.
Q: What are you looking forward to in the upcoming show year?
A: I’m looking forward to starting shows up again after a little break, seeing how my horses perform, along with the readiness of my young ones and testing out where my training lies.
Q: If you could say thank you to one person who would it be and why?
A: There is a lot of people I have to thank, but without my parent’s support, love, guidance and sacrifice, I wouldn’t be able to live out my dream. They have given up so much in their own lives so I could show back home in England and support me all the way over here in America. I am blessed with the best parents in the world, and none of this would be possible without them. I’m an only child as well, so that’s hard for my mom.
About the Author: GoHorseShow intern, Kinsey McDougald is a junior at Oklahoma State University where she is a part of the equestrian team. Originally from California, she grew up on a ranch and showed registered Hereford cattle and Quarter Horses. Since the day she was born, horses have always been a part of her life.
