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| Ricky Mendoza |
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| Ricky was born in a small town near Guanajuato,
Mexico. He spent his young years helping his father and uncle
with cows, horses, and selling hay. At the very young age of 14 he
started riding bulls in order to earn money-- if a rider could stay
on long enough he could earn up to $100 for himself and his
family. Being the oldest child, he has always felt the
responsibility to provide for his family financially. At the
age of 18 he came to California ( with an uncle?) and for a few
years worked at many things from a factory to construction, and
gardening. He eventually ended up in North Carolina cleaning
stalls and feeding Paso Fino Horses. In 1994 he came to Quinta
Chiappetta in Shelbyville, Kentucky and started his training
career. He spent some time with several trainers and after
learning all he could in a short time, decided to put it all
together with what his uncle had taught him in order to train in his
own style. Two tenets that are of vast importance to him-- one, that
the horse is happy and two, that the amateur owner can ride that
horse either in the show ring or on the trail. He is always
willing to step in and help someone that needs assistance at a show,
whether its another competitor or show management needing him to man
the tractor and grade the ring. Being located in Kentucky, we don't
get all the best bred horses nor the number to pick from to
train. Over the years, Ricky has taken horses that others have
given up on and turned them into champions. He has also
created many National Champions for the family of clients of Quinta
Chiappetta and these horses have been entered in all categories,
fino, performance and pleasure. The award of being voted on by
his peers to earn Trainer of the Year was a monumental day for
Ricky, thanks to all of you for being there to share in him moment
of glory. This is a memory he will carry for a lifetime and
share with his family in Mexico.
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