About
Erin Taormino
NRCHA professional, Erin Taormino, owns and operates Taormino Performance Horses with her husband Anthony in Lipan, Texas.
As a horseman, Erin Taormino is breaking barriers. Her performance inside the arena as well as her enthusiasm and spirit outside of the arena has earned her recognition in the world of reined cow horse competition. Training horses from daylight until dark, day after day, through dusty summer heat and freezing winters speaks volumes to the commitment and passion Taormino has for her chosen sport and the horses she loves.
Taormino joined the mainstream ranks of the National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) in 2014. Her success in the male-dominated world of professional horse trainers came one year later at the prestigious National Reined Cow Horse Association’s Snaffle Bit Futurity. In 2015, Taormino made the finals, then wowed spectators, judges, and even fellow competitors by marking an extraordinary score of 228 down the fence. The remarkable run launched Taormino into being crowned the NRCHA 2015 Snaffle Bit Futurity Reserve Champion.
Taormino proved her enduring fortitude the very first year she went into business as a professional horse trainer. Not only had she begun a position as head trainer for Gardiner Quarter Horses, she was also a focus of the documentary film Down The Fence. Cameras followed the new-comer at home and at horse shows. Taormino handled the added pressure like a true champion and the award-winning film documents her resilience, determination, and grit.
Raised on a grain farm in Saskatchewan, Canada, Taormino grew up playing sports and riding purely for fun. Jumping her pony over hay swaths were the biggest challenges she faced at home until she joined 4-H. It was there that she caught the competition bug and wanted more. As a young teen, Taormino traveled many miles with friends to compete in open horse shows, then progressed into showing and winning in the challenging All-Around class, where competition was tough. As usual, Taormino seized the opportunity and went on to compete successfully as a youth at the legendary Quarter Horse Congress.
Through years of hard work apprenticing with NRCHA Hall of Famer Ron Ralls and million-dollar rider Todd Bergen, Taormino has developed her own training program. Thanks to her husband, Anthony, the two have created success with Taormino Performance Horses. Anthony sets a solid foundation in the young horses he starts then Erin takes the reins—applying her “let the horses show you what they know,” motto. Together, the Taormino’s, including son Westley, have built an exemplary reined cow horse program and recent show records are proof of their winning methods.