Trainer of the Year Award

* denotes awardee has a page link

The annual Trainer of the Year award was the brainchild of the PPFTA member Pedro Gomez. In 1988, well before the PPFTA came into being, Pedro solicited contributions from every other trainer he could find at that year's National Show.

The result was a handsome training saddle awarded to Julio Cese Figueroa as our first-ever recipient of the award. Pedro informally campaigned for Cese as the first award winner because of that long-time trainer's years of support and influence on so many people in the breed. Cese was, and continues to be, one of the premiere trainers and instructors in the PFHA.

In 1989, once again on a mission, Pedro solicited enough donations to purchase an award saddle for the second recipient of the award, Robin Ratliff. Pedro again conducted his informal campaign on Robin's behalf, based on her impact as one of the nation's winningest trainers and exhibitors. As one of the first female winners in a National Fino Championship, among her other championships, Robin's accomplishments paved the way for more and more women to choose professional training as their goal. That year's award was presented by Cese, who rode Robin's National Champion Pleasure Stallion into the ring, mounted on the special award saddle!

Until 1992, the choice of Trainer of the Year was an informal vote, usually tallied in the warm-up ring or at the barns. Funds were collected by Pedro and others for a small gift chosen to match the recipients tastes or needs, be it a special piece of jewelry, tack or some other memento. While this format was fun and added to the camaraderie of the trainers, the formation of the PPFTA ushered in a more formal balloting system. To be eligible for this award, trainers must be members of the PPFTA and must represent certain standards of excellence in their work with the horses and with the people for whom they train. The criteria are based on many things, including show records, clinic participation, overall sportsmanship and the ability, knowledge and willingness to share training expertise. At this point, the award is considered as a lifetime achievement. Previous winners are ineligible  for successive awards.