Trainer Rick Gervasio

Region XII Trainer Profile
Rick Gervasio Pleasure Horses
8900 NW 136th Ave. Rd.
Ocala FL 34482
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My Father is a horseman. By the time I could walk he had me in the horse barn following him around. I grew up working Quarter Horses with my Dad and learning the business. By the time I was fifteen years old I was breaking, training, and showing Quarter Horses. After high school I went out on my own training and showing Quarter Horses. During that time I earned The Quarter Horse NSBA High Money winner award two years in a row. I continue to ride in National Breed Shows taking championships with Appaloosas, Quarter horses, Paints, and Morgans.

I have spent the last 30 years training and showing western working horses. In my judgement that means the horse must have a strong athletic ability combined with a desire to work hard. Without one or the other, the horse is unable to perform at his maximum level. Western pleasure work requires that the horse maintain a steady cadence, correctness of gait and look like he is happy working. He must be smooth and look like he is a pleasure to ride. During my years training these horses I gained a reputation for managing and successfully working with troubled horses of any breed. I eventually had to establish a strict limit on which ones I would take. This was how I met Sue Lee and her stallion GF Jullyens Joy. She needed to move him and no one would take him on.

Ten years ago I switched to training Arabians since they offer more of a challenge than Quarter Horses. Of all the times that I have spent training and showing Arabian horses, Joy is the closest to the ideal western horse. He is intelligent, has a good attitude and work ethic. He is focused on his job and me. He moves correctly and is beautiful to look at. To breed a quality western horse can take generations of breeding for attitude, athletic ability, and overall quality of the horse. I am fortunate to have trained and to be showing the next generation of GF Jullyens Joy at US Nationals this year.