Carter Stephenson holds one of the most highly-coveted assistant trainer positions in the industry. At Highpoint Performance Horses in Pilot Point, Texas, last year, Stephenson showed in the hunter under saddle and western riding. This year, he has focused on western pleasure, trail, and western riding. Carter grew up in central Indiana and attended Purdue University, where he studied Animal Science.
“I have always been around horses,” Carter says. “My grandparents own a farm in Indiana an hour from where I lived. My cousins, sisters, and I would visit them and the horses frequently. We sat on a horse before we could even walk or talk. It was very much a family thing.”
We sat down with Carter to learn more about his background and goals.
GHS: Hi, Carter. Can you tell us when you started showing?
Carter: As a kid, I started showing in 4H and local open shows around Indiana. I have two aunts who showed very competitively in APHA when they were growing up. My sisters and I adopted those horses from them when they “retired” per se. They drove us all over Indiana every summer for quite a few years, even while they were having kids and starting families. They gave us lessons, camped out at shows, and ensured we had good experiences. Eventually, my two sisters moved on to other sports, while I still decided to keep showing. My aunts lived an hour away, so I was never home when I finally got a car. I was at some shows or the barn riding as much as possible through high school.
GHS: Did you show in college?
Carter: When I went to college, I started on the IHSA Western Equestrian Team, where I showed horsemanship for two years until COVID hit. After that, we could no longer meet as a team to practice. Many of my teammates came from the quarter horse world, so it was exciting to hear about all their horses, traveling, and experiences with horse trainers. It was then that I caught the bug. That winter, I drove to Florida to work as a groom for Julian Harris. I cleaned stalls to pay for my trip and even took my Fall semester finals in a McDonald’s. Those six weeks were extremely rewarding, but it wasn’t enough. When I finished my junior year of college, I worked for Stacy Huls in California for three months. There, I got a glimpse into what this life is. Stacy is among the most hardworking, humble, and kind people I have ever been around. I learned so much there – mainly wanting to become a trainer.
GHS: How did you end up in Texas?
Carter: Coming to Texas was a split decision. I had job opportunities available and graduate school applications filled out when I suddenly realized that I couldn’t pass up my young adulthood not to try and do something I love. I will always have my degree and that avenue to pursue, but I would never have forgiven myself for not trying.
I moved here in August of 2022 and have had no regrets. I began working for Brad (Ost) and Troy (Lehn) of Empyre, where I learned much of what I know now. I was lucky enough to show a couple of horses there, which was amazing. A year later, Charlie (Cole) posted an ad on Facebook that he was looking for an assistant. It was an opportunity of a lifetime. I had no expectations when I threw my hat into the ring, but here we are. I am extremely grateful for Charlie taking a chance on me and committing to making me a better rider and showman.
GHS: What do you like about horses and showing them?
Carter: I grew up in a very competitive family. My grandma is one of the most competitive people I know. We play card games non-stop at her house. I love competition and working towards a goal. Horses are so unique and complicated in such a beautiful way. There is such an unexplainable feeling riding a horse. The connection between you and them, that bond that can be created – it’s unlike anything else in the world. Creating those bonds and teaching a horse something new is so rewarding. I love the feeling of small accomplishments and reaching a goal together.
GHS: What are your favorite accomplishments in the show arena?
Carter: Last year, I had the privilege of starting a couple of horses at my previous job. One of the fillies, in particular, I became very fond of. We got along so well, and the owner, Morgan Miller, was gracious enough to let me train her. She became my little project for the year. We took her to shows to ride around. I rode her every day at home, and with my bosses’ help, we got her prepped and ready for the NSBA World Show. Morgan ended up third in the Two-Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle, which was amazing to watch and participate in. It was extremely rewarding to be so involved in something and help create a product that became so successful. To this day, it has been my greatest accomplishment. She has been one of my favorite horses.
GHS: Who are some of you biggest mentors?
Carter: I feel like I lean on a lot of people. Being new to the industry, many people have greater experiences than I do now. I get a lot of horse-related advice from Charlie and Jeff (Mellott). I get to be around them almost daily, so it’s easy to turn to them for any problem. And because of my age, they are not afraid to give me life advice, which is much appreciated. No one has anything figured out in their twenties. For life advice, I always turn to my dad first. We have been through a lot together, so our bond is strong. He knows me well, and I don’t hesitate to contact him. Also, with him being so disconnected from the horse industry, he provides such a great objective point of view. He has great advice and can almost always make me feel better.
GHS: Do you have any advice for other young trainers?
Carter: The biggest thing I have learned since starting this industry is to be more okay with asking for help. I am quiet and shy, so speaking up for myself is sometimes hard. However, this industry thrives on teaching and helping others. There will never be a point where we have all the right answers, so we need to get more comfortable reaching out for assistance. Something so beneficial about living in Pilot Point is having access to so many other trainers so close. I have hauled horses to other farms, taken lessons, and even had the opportunity for other trainers to come to our property for some help. We will never stop learning and will never continue to learn without the help of others.
GHS: What are some of your favorite memories from the industry?
Carter: My favorite part of my job is traveling. I love to visit new cities and states. This country is so pretty, and I have the privilege of seeing so much of it. Kentucky and Arizona are some of the prettiest places I have been. I get so excited when I experience new places.
GHS: What do you like about working for Highpoint?
Carter: Charlie and Jason (Martin) were easy to talk to during our initial meeting. The professionalism and empathy they both exuded in my interview were refreshing. It made the transition to this new position smooth and stress-free. Working for Charlie has been nothing less of the same. For someone at the top of our field, he possesses a lot of grace and understanding when it comes to teaching.
GHS: What is one thing people probably don’t know about you?
Carter: Hmm. I don’t think I have any cool secret hobbies. I love to cook. I started getting into cookbooks and understanding how to make things properly within the last year. I started a newsletter with my nana. I occasionally email her pictures, recipes, and personal dish reviews. They are usually pretty okay, but I can never make rice effectively. That’s something I need to work on.
GHS: What are some of your future goals?
Carter: I would love to start more horses and get them to the show pen. I love the babies and breaking them out. I partnered with Jamie Radebaugh last year, and we bought a yearling in the NSBA sale. It’s been such a fun process working with this horse and Jamie. We’ve had a lot of fun figuring things out and watching him grow up. We aim to show him at NSBA this year to hopefully win some sales money. He’s a cute little horse, and we are excited to do more with him. We have no expectations, just the drive to have some fun.
GHS: Thanks, Carter!
