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 Jim Reno is not only an accomplished former cutting horse trainer and showman. He's one of America's foremost equine sculptors, capturing the horse's action as well as its personality. The Finalist, a life-size bronze created by Jim, stands in front of the NCHA offices in Fort Worth and is a great example of this work. Jim's formal art training was obtained at the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana, but it was his experience with horses, refined over many years, that has enabled him to understand the anatomy and mind of his horse subjects. That intimate knowledge of horses contributed to his success as a cutter. Jim trained and rode cutting horses for 30 years, but retired about 10 years ago because of his health.
What do you feel was your greatest responsibility as a professional trainer (in general as a career) in terms of service?
I really concentrated on teaching non-pros how to cut. That was probably the most fun for me—probably because being able to fit non-pros with horses and teaching them how to cut was one of my strengths. I had a big following of non-pros and kept horses year round for a lot of them. So, I didn't just train three year olds, not just Futurity horses. I tried to not only have good Futurity horses—although I never tried to train a lot of them—but I'd usually have 4 or 5 horses every year that were pretty nice horses and then I'd work on the weekend with the non-pros and their horses. I enjoyed working with non-pros who just loved to show and ride on the weekends. I did a lot of that.
As a trainer, what have been your highest "highs" and lowest "lows" in your career?
Making the finals at the Futurity (NCHA World Championship Futurity) would be the "highs" of my career, which I did three times. Then, the lowest "lows" would be the times when I didn't make the finals!
What's the most important advice you can offer non-pros?
Go to a professional for help and instruction.
As the recipient of the "Trainer of the Year" award, you have been recognized for your leadership and service outside of the arena. Tell us a little more about your work outside the arena and what this award means to you personally.
I was elected President of the NCHA six times, serving a total of seven years, which I don't think has happened before or since. I really have a high regard for the NCHA and was proud and humbled to have served on the Executive Board of Directors for a number of years, in addition serving as President.
I am honored to receive the Zane Schulte Trainer of the Year Award. Of course, I knew Zane and he was a wonderful young man, so that even makes it more special. I'm thrilled to be in the group of recipients, like Buster Welch, who introduced my wife and I, and Bill Riddle, who is a very close friend…and all the recipients.
You've been extremely successful in cutting. What are the factors that have made the difference…that have produced excellent performances, consistently, instead of average ones?
I think horsemanship is probably the answer. Having extensive experience with horses is what makes the difference in consistently producing results.
How do you pick yourself up when you've had a series of bad runs?
I know that there is always another cutting that will come along. So, my advice is: don't get down on yourself when you have some bad luck. Remember, there is always another show…always another Futurity…so don't get down on yourself.
As you look back over the development of your successful career, what have been your greatest challenges to overcome? How did you do it?
That's a tough question. I suppose it would be preparing a horse for the Futurity. There are only 25 horses that make the finals out of over 400 horses. If you become a finalist, then you have accomplished something. Like that big cutting horse sculpture that I did, The Finalist. I did that sculpture because of the importance of being a Finalist.
In terms of how did I do it…well, I consider myself a "horseman" – I know how to take care of a horse and keep him sound. It's also important to know how to get into the mind of a horse. So, it wasn't a problem for me to prepare a horse for the Futurity. I made the semi-finals a number of times and I can't say that there was anything wrong with the horse when they didn't make it into the finals. There's just so much luck involved in this sport and I did have some good horses that made it into the semi-finals and just missed the cut for the finals by a half-point or something like that.
I think that being a good horseman, taking good care of these horses and trying to get into their minds, is what I attribute my success to. I've had horses that were bred quite similarly entered in the Futurity—one of them makes the finals and the other doesn't even go to the Futurity. They were trained by the same trainer, rode in the same bridle, stood in stalls side-by-side…no difference in the handling or training. Just that the horse just for some reason was not able to make the cut…just wasn't athletic enough. That's where the breeding comes in, too…breeding the good minds in these horses.
You said once in an interview, "You can't teach an artist how to put the spark of life into art. You have to put passion into that piece to get that life." You then went on to say that it was true in anything, even cutting. Can you tell us what passion for cutting looks like and why you think it's important?
I'm not sure if you can see the passion…that it's something specific visible or that can be easily defined. But I think every trainer, every horseman, every cutting horse rider, whether they are non-pros or pros, should have a passion for the sport. It's necessary to have passion in order to be successful. Let's face it…whenever you have to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning to go work a horse, you'd better have a passion for it! My wife is a good example. She was a very successful non-pro, was Reserve World Champion and so forth. Back when she was showing, she had a passion for the sport. She'd get up and go lope those horses early in the morning, then stay up all day cutting…you know you've got to have a love for it…and "passion" is just another word for "love."
You've got to have a love for the horse. That's something that I hope we're not forgetting. Trainers today are winning so much money and we begin concentrating on how much a trainer or rider has won…and we forget about the horse a little bit. You know, the horse is the one who is making the money…he's the one who is winning the cuttings! It's a balance.
Is there anything else that you would like to share before we close?
Yes, just a word to young trainers: don't give up. Go get some help. Don't let your ego get in the way of your becoming a horse trainer. Being a "good" trainer is very important, and it's sometimes necessary to get some help.
Thank you, Jim, for taking time to talk with us! We admire you greatly, not just for what you have accomplished in cutting and your service to the sport, but also for how you have used your art to promote a love for horses and the sport of cutting.
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