Originally From Milaca, Minnesota, 22-Year-old Connor Crook has lived the last year in Pilot Point, Texas working as an assistant for Bruce Vickery where he rides and provides all-around care for the horses.
“Connor is a talented young man with a bright future ahead of him,” Anthony Montes told us, who works alongside Bruce at their facility in Texas. “He is a hard worker and he has the passion for horses.”
Crook also has a college degree in Business Management with an emphasis on accounting.
Connor became involved with horses when he was young due to his mother, Beth Crook, having a small training business back home specializing in the hunter under saddle.
GoHorseShow sat down with Connor to find out more about this young man and his plans for the future.
GoHorseShow: Hi Connor. Thanks so much for sitting down with us. Can you tell us a bit more about your mentors and who has helped you in your career?
Connor: My mother, Beth Crook, and her youth trainer, Lloyd Anderson coached me when I was a youth competitor. They helped me build the foundation of my riding skills. Also, Bruce Vickery and Anthony Montes have improved my training skills and have helped mold my riding skills to make me a better horseman. Last but not least, Jennifer Wellhouse has always pushed me to follow my dreams.
GoHorseShow: What is one thing people may not know about you?
Connor: Well, when my mom first made me start riding and showing, I hated it. She used to have to bribe me to get me to go to the barn to practice.
GoHorseShow: Apparently you changed your mind. What is it you like about showing horses and being a trainer?
Connor: I love how peaceful of an animal they are and how much of a connection you get when you ride them. I love building a partnership between the animal and yourself and seeing the progress you make as a team. I always knew I wanted to be a trainer, but my mom made me go to college first.
So, during my last year of college, I was at the AQHA World Show, and I asked Jennifer Wellhouse for advice on who to go work for, and she recommended Bruce Vickery. She introduced me to him and a year later, after my last year of college, I worked at the AQHA World Show for Bruce as part-time show help. He called me after the show and offered me a position full-time. He is such a talented horseman and a great teacher. I thought I was a good rider before starting with him, but he has made me so much better.
GoHorseShow: What are some of your favorite memories in the show pen?
Connor: I’ve had so many great memories from the industry, but the best memory I have was the first time qualifying and showing at the AQHYA World Show competing against the best around the country. Another accomplishment that I still hold in high regard happened after my youth career ended. I was working for my mother, and I distinctly remember the first time I beat her in the open division – getting to compete against my mentor for the first time and winning felt great since I had learned everything from her.
GoHorseShow: What advice do you have for young trainers like yourself?
Connor: I would say if you’re genuinely passionate about it, try and be a sponge and absorb everything you can because you never stop learning and everyone can teach you something.
GoHorseShow: What is one thing you’d like to change about the industry?
Connor: I think the horse industry is fantastic, but the only thing I would like to see improved is making it more accepting to newcomers. I believe we are all working so hard at the level we are at that sometimes we forget what it was like when we first started.
GoHorseShow: What are some of your future goals?
Connor: I would like to have my own business someday, but I have a long time before then. I still have a lot more to learn.
GoHorseShow: Thanks Connor and good luck!
Photos © Connor Crook, KC Montgomery
