About Lou Roper

Lou began training all breeds of horses over forty-five years ago at his family's facility in Davis, Calif. Moving to the San Diego area in 1973. He has continued to show, train and win many U.S. National, Canadian National, and Regional titles in various disciplines including Trail, Western Pleasure, Hunter Pleasure and Reining. He as been awarded the “HORSEMAN OF THE YEAR” award from Region One, and the ‘WORKING WESTERN TRAINER” award from the Arabian Professional & Amateur Horseman’s Association. Lou was invited to be a clinician in Hanover Germany, at Europe’s largest horse fair. He demonstrated the importance of hand and leg control in its application to western, reining, trail, and general overall riding.

 

Lou instructs both youth and amateur riders, many of whom have been successful in the show ring winning numerous Regional and National titles. He owns and operates The Roper Ranch in Twin Oaks Valley of San Marcos, Calif., where he and his staff give riding instructions, and have 40 to 50 horses of many different breeds being trained in a verity of disciplines. He also travels to Europe, Canada, and throughout the U.S. giving clinics and seminars. In the UK his clinic has be approved as a CPD (Continual Professional Development) event for all British Horse Society Accredited Professional Coaches.

 

This year was a mile stone for Lou, achieving, to date, 43 National Champions, 25 Reserve National Champions, and over 70 Top Ten’s in the trail horse division alone.

 

Nominated by the Arabian Horse Association Lou Roper was the recipient of the Barbara Worth Oakford Trophy presented at the 2017 United States Equestrian Federation Pegasus Awards Dinner. This Equestrian of Honor Award is presented to a rider, driver or handler of any horse or pony breed shown in a non-reining Western discipline. An awards committee met together to select the Equestrians of honor.

 

Lou has a variety of interests besides the obvious passion for training and teaching. His interests include computers, drumming in an oldies rock band, and performing as “Clara’s father” and “Mother Marshmallow” in the longest running Nutcracker ballet in San Diego County.

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