Darren has ridden horses his entire life.
He started roping chickens off his pony in the back yard. As a
youth he competed in High School Rodeos in his hometown of Red Bluff, CA, winning several. He also showed in
the AQHYA in Calf Roping, Heeling, Heading, and Cowhorse. He has been a multiple AQHYA World Show Champion (Calf Roping
and Heeling), Reserve Champion (Calf Roping), and Finalist (Calf Roping, Heading, Heeling, and Cowhorse).
During High School Darren worked for Smokey Pritchett and
later Don Murphy. After graduating he decided to work for Don full time and did so until 2000 when he decided to take the
advice of a family friend, Todd Hampton and go to work for Robbie Schroeder. He worked for Robbie until
the spring of 2005 when he decided to start his own horse training business. Darren has worked under the guidence
of Renowned Cowhorse Trainers - Smokey Pritchett and Don Murphy, and Multiple AQHA World Champion Roper, Robbie
Schroeder.
Darren's wife, Sara,
originally from Northern Ohio, has enjoyed horses her entire life riding since she was a little girl and showing in local
4-H. She has a BA from The University of Toledo in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus in Equine Science and Management.
In 1999, her senior year in college, she received an internship with Tim McQuay, McQuay Stables, Inc. and from that earned
her career as the Breeding Manager of McQuay Stables, Inc. She worked as Breeding Manager for McQuay Stables, Inc. until
January of 2003 when she took on the role as the Breeding Manager of Schroeder Ranch, Inc. where she stayed until the spring
of 2005 when she decided to leave and help Darren in his business.
Darren and Sara have a ranch in Callisburg, TX with their son, Reed who is 6 and daughter, Hailey
who is 4.
Since going on his own in Spring of 2005 Darren
has Trained and/or Shown:
- Skips Sizzling Smoke-
Multiple AQHA World Show Finalist (Calf Roping & Heeling)
- Peponitas
Little Gal- 2005 NRCHA Limited Open Hackamore Champion & 2006 Reserve Champion- South Central Region, 2008 Worlds
Greatest Horseman (14th)
- Smart N Chexy- 2006 Worlds
Greatest Horseman Finalist (8th)
- KR A Special Tee-
2006 Limited Open Champion Futurity Heading at the National Rope Horse Futurity
- Brooks Big Daddy- 2006 AQHA World Show Jr. Heeling Finalist (6th)
- Misty Eyed Chex- 2007 AQHA World Show Jr. Heading Finalist and 2011 Battle In The
Saddle Sweepstakes Heading Res. Champion (Open and Ltd. Open)
- Tiny
Dancer- 2008 Intermediate Non-Pro NRCHA Futurity Finalist
- Joshs
Peppy Doc Doll- 2008 APHA World Championship Sr. Heading Finalist
- Bottoms
Up Last Doll- 2008 APHA World Championship Jr. Steer Stopping Finalist
- Major
Impact- 2008 APHA World Championship Sr. Working Cowhorse Finalist
- Mans
Hancock Creek- 2009 Horseman's Ranch Heading Champion
- Miss
Placed Star- 2009 Horseman's Ranch Heeling Champion
- Gunner
On Ice- 2nd High Seller ($130,000) at 2010 NRHA Futurity Prospect Sale, 2011 NRHA Futurity Prime Time Non Pro- 2nd, he
was started by Darren
- Undercover Gunner- 2011 European
Reined Cowhorse Association Non-Pro Derby Champion, started by Darren
- TR
Playing Chic- 2011 Battle In The Saddle NRCHA Ltd. Open Hackamore Champion (Score was 2nd for the Open)
- GAR Black Russian- 2011 USTRC Eastern Regionals Shootout Champion of the #11 (heading)
- Smart Peppy Cutter- 2011 AQHYA Heeling World Champion
- Patches Gray Smoke- 2011 USTRC National Finals Shoot-Out $ winner in the #9 (heeling)
