Doug Bogart Reining Horses

About Doug

Doug Bogart's love of working with horses began in his youth where training was a family affair. His father was a trainer known for his ability to work with “problem horses” and Doug grew up competing in barrel and pleasure classes.

Doug Bogart Reining Horses

When Doug was seventeen he had his first opportunity to ride an equitation school master. It was at this point that Doug’s views on working with horses began to change. Determined to find a way to train using something other than some of the rough and rushed methods he had see in the western world, he sought to learn a better way of riding and teaching.

In his search Doug began attending clinics and taking lessons with established professional trainers. This led Doug to hunter trainer Victor Hugo-Vidal and included five years of riding under Danish dressage Olympian Peter Kjellerup. “I was exposed to a lot of very conscientious instructors who stressed so much foundation, slowing down the proper way of doing things,” Doug states. “They were organized. And that’s what made me want to keep learning.”


Though he believed firmly in the solid training methods he rode with in dressage and enjoyed the intensity of the sport, Doug still felt himself being drawn to his western roots. It was not until he felt the responsiveness and high-powered maneuvers of a well trained reining horse that he saw a way to blend the two. With the help of Delmar Albrecht, Doug began his began his transition into reining in the 1980's, purchasing his first reiner from Del. Doug has now successfully transformed Kjellerup’s insightful and demanding program into a training method that works equally as well in the reining world.

Over the years Doug has had the opportunity to work with reining trainers such as Tim McQuay, Scott McCutcheon, Craig Johnson, Brent Loseke and Ruben VanDorp. His methods have brought him success in associations such as the National Reining Horse Association, American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, Illinois Reining Horse Association, and the Midwest Reining Horse Association. His reining career highlights include:

Doug Bogart Reining Horses



  • 2009 ILRHA Novice Horse Year End Champion
  • 2005, 2006, 2007 MWRHA Limited Open Year End Champion
  • 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 ILRHA Limited Open Year End Champion
  • Iowa Performance Futurity Open Reining Champion
  • Iowa State Fair Open Reining Champion 3 years in a row

Doug has also brought along a variety of successful students and horses through the years. Some of these include:

  • American Quarter Horse Congress Novice Youth Reserve Champion
  • AQHA Youth World 2X Qualifier
  • 2009 & 2010 ILRHA & MWRHA 14-18 Year End Champion
  • 2009 ILRHA & MWRHA 13 & Under Year End Champion
  • 2009 ILRHA Rookie I Year End Champion & Reserve Champion
  • 2009 ILRHA Rookie II Year End Reserve Champion
  • 2009 ILRHA Limited Open Reserve Champion
  • 2008 ILRHA & MWRHA Limited Non Pro Year End Champion
  • 2008 ILRHA Rookie Year End Reserve Champion
  • 2007 North Central Affiliate Finals Rookie Champion
  • 2007 ILRHA Youth Rookie Year End Champion
  • 2007 ILRHA & MWRHA Green Rider Year End Reserve Champion
  • 2005 ILRHA Green Rider Year End Champion
  • POA Reining National Champion 2 Years in a row
  • JOTR Western Pleasure Half Arabian National Qualifier
  • 1998 ARIC/AQHA School Horse of the Year


Doug has also been proud to be involved with the American Riding Instructors Association. The ARIA was established in 1984 to help promote safe, knowledgeable riding instruction. The ARIA currently certifies instructors in 15 riding disciplines. Doug is a Level III (Beginner through Advanced) Instructor in Western and Reining and was please to receive the ARIA 2009 Top 50 Instructors in America reward.

Doug currently lives in Rock Island, Illinois and trains at Schmidt Farms in Milan, Illinois. When not working with horses or students Doug enjoys spending time with his wife Jill and playing drums in a country western band.

Doug Bogart and Gitza Peterson after performing a
Pas de Deux musical ride at Polo and Picnic on the green, Weaver Farm, Peoria, IL. The horse festival event benefited Central Illinois Riding Therapy. August 2007
 

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Doug Bogart, AQHA Professional Horseman
8820 19th St. West * Rock Island, IL 61201 * (309) 787-4271
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