Justin Cowden, published in Arabian Horse Times

by SARAH JAYNE JOHNSON

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If you’ve ever watched an open hunter class, you have heard Justin

and hearing all about the horses,” Cowden shares. “Winning this

Cowden’s name multiple times over the years. Having been involved

award was more for him than for me.”

with the Arabian horse industry since he was born, Cowden currently trains out of Royal Arabians in Scottsdale, Arizona, and heads their performance program which specializes in hunter,

Acknowledging his 2018 accomplishments were a moment of surrealism for Cowden. “It’s been an exciting journey the past four years,” explains Cowden, “since I started with Royal, seeing my

western and English pleasure.

program grow from a handful, to a substantial group of beautiful Raised having a grandfather who was a breeder, and a mother who

and talented horses. Mark Davis and Cindy McGown have given

rode and competed as a child and adult amateur, Cowden knew very

me the template to achieve, as well as the many loyal and supportive

young, that he wanted to be involved in horses, spending more time

clients that have followed me from a young age.”

dreaming about them than doing his homework.

And despite being one of the younger trainers in the industry, Recently earning the title of Leading National Hunter Trainer

Cowden has made a lasting impact; known for his special

(based off Arabian Horse Times 2018 National show research stats),

relationships with his clients, as well as with each horse he brings

solidifies even more why he was recently named and awarded the

into the arena.

2018 APAHA Professional Hunter and Show Hack Trainer Of The Year, a very emotional moment for Cowden beyond being recognized by his peers.

A few months prior to the awards show, Cowden’s father, one of his biggest supporters, passed away. “My father loved watching me ride

Justin Cowden, 2018 APAHA Professional Hunter/Show Hack Trainer of the Year

“We have known Justin since his days in Nevada and have absolutely loved watching him grow over the years, recently achieving the highest honor of Hunter Pleasure/Show Hack Trainer of the Year. He is an absolute mastermind of his craft. His amazing talent aside, Justin is one of the kindest and most thoughtful trainers in the industry. He always goes above and beyond with the horses and with his clients. We couldn’t be happier for all his success!” ~Jim, Sherry & Sarah Pedder

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Aria Marchestra++/ | 2016 U.S. National Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure Select AATR Owned by Royal Arabians’ Cindy McGown & Mark Davis, trained by Justin Cowden and ridden by Amanda Fraser-Pagan.

These relationships are one of the reasons for his success in the show ring. Cowden has a lot of pride in his clients.

“They are wonderful; they really are such a positive and uplifting bunch. Royal truly is a family. It’s fun for me to talk with my clients about their goals, and then hit the drawing board about how to get there with their horses and see them achieve it is why I do this.”

With no surprise, Cowden’s clients have nothing but love and respect for their trainer.

Leslie Kvistad, one of Cowden’s newer clients, described what makes him so different from other trainers, “I have admired Justin’s performances as a trainer for several years. He exudes confidence in the show arena, and epitomizes the phrase ‘cool, calm, and collected.’ I also have to say, his training program runs like a machine! An ultra-organized group of people, no matter the difficult demands, I watched them battle the extreme weather in Scottsdale this year— the lack of warm-up due to flooded arenas and a large number of back-to-back classes—and they were unflappable.

Super positive and focused!”

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FVF Bucarrdi+/ 2017 U.S. National Champion Arabian Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 55 & Over, ridden by Tom Hansen and owned by Tom & Leola Hansen

Kvistad also shared how Cowden is consistently one of the most elegant riders in the show arena. “He exudes confidence into his horses, riding and clients, which makes each of us excited for our horse to enter the arena.”

Tom and Leola Hansen have been in training with Cowden since the fall of 2013, when they met him assistant training at Lervick Arabians in the Pacific Northwest that summer. The Hansens moved their hunter gelding to Cowden originally, due to a USEF conflict rule in order to exhibit at U.S. Nationals. Despite never having met him until then, the Hansens felt an instant connection to Cowden, and could tell, even though he was young, that he was knowledgeable and talented.

reserves, as well as multiple championships at Regionals and the Scottsdale Show. They consider Cowden not just a trainer, but family as well. “Justin has made us much better riders and we have a deep respect for each other. We laugh, cry, dream and spend off-time

“He has an incredible feel for each horse he is training,” the Hansens

together. Justin is family. We look forward to many more years of

say, “coupled with a natural talent as a rider.” This new relationship

making memories together.”

resulted in Tom’s first U.S. National AOTR championship and Justin rode their gelding to third overall in the open. “We asked Justin to find us a new young horse, and after many months of searching, he found us FVF Bucarrdi.”

The Landman family, clients of Cowden’s since 2015, were eager to share their love for their trainer. “Justin has an amazing ability to make every show experience meaningful and fun. Even if the class does not go well, he accentuates the positive and offers pertinent

Currently, the Hansens have six horses in training with Cowden.

instruction to make a better rider. With Justin, every client

Together they have achieved three national championships and five

feels important.”

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Besides being a talented horse trainer, there is admiration for

ability to spot prospects. His overall horsemanship is 100 percent.

Cowden’s quick wit and sense of humor. Clients share that never is

I enjoy Justin, because he is not just performance-minded, but also

a dull time had when around Cowden. They also admire Cowden’s

truly knows how to pick a good halter horse.”

artistic abilities and believe he could be a successful artist if he Peer admiration isn’t one sided. Cowden’s respect for other trainers

weren’t a trainer.

as inspiration is one of the reasons he loves what he does, since he Cowden is also held in high regard amongst his peers. Stachowski’s

feels he never stops learning. Cowden considers training an artform

California trainer and Cowden’s friend, Jonathan Ramsay, had

and continues to learn from each horse, trainer and friend he meets

nothing but respect for Cowden as a person and trainer. “Justin is a

how he can improve every day.

great friend and horseman,” Jon says. “I love watching him turn out his horses for the arena for himself and his amateurs.”

This show season we can expect to see Cowden at Regions I, II and VII. His plan this season is to debut some talented young horses,

Royal Arabians team member, Travis Rice, is proud to work with

help grow the new AHPA program, and see some of his stock

Cowden. “The Arabian breed and community should be honored

compete at the Brazilian, Canadian and U.S. Nationals.

to have a young trainer like Justin growing our industry. His unparalleled talents go beyond the finished product to his uncanny

We wish him good luck!

Left: Justin with Royal customers & friends enjoying time together outside of the show ring.

Below: Justin & Royal Maestro

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KM Bugatti x Major Primadonna by DS Major Afire Breedings Now Available | Standing at Royal Arabians Multi-Program Nominated Sire

2017 SCOTTSDALE CHAMPION HUNTER PLEASURE 2017 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION HUNTER PLEASURE AAOTR 55 & OVER 2018 U.S. NATIONAL RESERVE CHAMPION HUNTER PLEASURE AND ABS AATR JACKPOT

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CECILIA CA

Proximus CA x Navirene 2019 SCOTTSDALE RESERVE CHAMPION HA/AA HUNTER PLEASURE AATR 40 & OVER SELECT RIDER WITH LEOLA HANSEN

TN KHALIENTE

SF Veraz x TN Khemarie

2019 SCOTTSDALE CHAMPION SSS HUNTER PLEASURE FUTURITY 3 & 4 YEAR OLDS WITH JUSTIN COWDEN 2018 UNANIMOUS NATIONAL CHAMPION ARABIAN HUNTER PLEASURE FUTURITY

OWNED BY TOM & LEOLA HANSEN | DUVALL, WASHINGTON Trained by Justin Cowden, Royal Arabians | Rio Verde, Arizona 775.901.3029 | jcowden@royalarabians.com | www.RoyalArabians.com

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Audacious PS x May Dancer V

2019 SCOTTSDALE RESERVE CHAMPION ARABIAN HUNTER PLEASURE WITH JUSTIN COWDEN

OWNED BY LESLIE KVISTAD | WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS Trained by Justin Cowden, Royal Arabians | Rio Verde, Arizona 775.901.3029 | jcowden@royalarabians.com | www.RoyalArabians.com

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KHURB APPEAL

Khadraj NA+++/ x Rhapsody In Gold

WHISKEY RIVER VH

Black Daniels x I’m Miss New York

2019 SCOTTSDALE TOP TEN HA HUNTER PLEASURE OPEN WITH JUSTIN COWDEN 2019 SCOTTSDALE TOP TEN HA HUNTER PLEASURE AATR 60 & OVER WITH CANDACE BERRY

ROYAL NORMANDY

Escape Ibn Navarrone-D x Precious Jewell M 2019 SCOTTSDALE TOP TEN HUNTER PLEASURE 55 & OVER WITH CANDACE BERRY

OWNED BY CANDACE & DAVE BERRY | SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA Trained by Justin Cowden, Royal Arabians | Rio Verde, Arizona 775.901.3029 | jcowden@royalarabians.com | www.RoyalArabians.com

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“Justin, we are so grateful to have been a part of your horse show family and share the journey of your success. Your guidance, mentorship and professionalism is appreciated!

Thank you to you and Royal Arabians, for creating memories that will last a lifetime!” ~Karen and Taylor Lincoln

FINDING FAME+//

Versace x Lost-N-Found 2017 SCOTTSDALE CHAMPION ARABIAN HUNTER PLEASURE JTR SELECT 15-18 NATIONAL CHAMPION AND MULTIPLE YOUTH NATIONAL TOP TEN WINS

AFIRES KNIGHT

The Knight’s Reflection x MSA Afires Jewel U.S. NATIONAL RESERVE CHAMPION SCOTTSDALE & YOUTH NATIONAL TOP TEN WINNER AND MULTI-REGIONAL CHAMPION

“I am honored to be one of Justin’s first youth riders. I started with Justin in 2013 as a beginner, and with his instruction, worked my way up to better and better horses, honing my riding skills before acquiring Finding Fame+//. I look up to you like a big brother. Thank you for believing in me and always pushing me to strive for more; encouraging me to stick with it. Yours was the voice I listened to that helped me earn numerous, Regional, Scottsdale and National championships and top tens, and which led me to receiving Region VII’s Scholarship Award. YOU’RE THE BEST!” ~Taylor Lincoln

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NASEEM M | Pogrom x JJ Symphony U.S. NATIONAL TOP TEN AHPA ROYAL ARABIANS $75,000 ARABIAN HUNTER PLEASURE FUTURITY WITH JUSTIN COWDEN

MARINO V | Vitorio TO x Amber Aice U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION ARABIAN YEARLING GELDING IN-HAND AAOTH NOW IN PERFORMANCE TRAINING

“Justin has been a great friend over the years and is so talented as a trainer, especially when he turns a halter horse into a performance horse—it’s astounding! With the different aspects of breeding for halter vs. performance, it is not an easy crossover; however, Justin does it with grace every time and it never ceases to amaze me.” ~AJ Marino

OWNED BY MARINO ARABIANS | BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA Trained by Justin Cowden, Royal Arabians | Rio Verde, Arizona 775.901.3029 | jcowden@royalarabians.com | www.RoyalArabians.com

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2016 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION HUNTER PLEASURE FUTURITY 2017 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION HUNTER PLEASURE JR. HORSE 2017 SCOTTSDALE CHAMPION HUNTER PLEASURE JR. HORSE 2018 U.S. NATIONAL RESERVE CHAMPION HUNTER PLEASURE JR. HORSE

Pershahn El Jamaal x Aria Marchestra++/ Proudly Bred & Owned by Royal Arabians Cindy McGown and Mark Davis

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ASTON MARTIN++ Millennium LOA x Ellure A

CANADIAN NATIONAL CHAMPION HALTER MULTI-REGIONAL CHAMPION & U.S. NATIONAL TOP TEN HUNTER PLEASURE HORSE

ARIA MARCHESTRA++/

Marwan Al Shaqab x GC Merpsydita 2016 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPION ARABIAN HUNTER PLEASURE SELECT AATR

Owned by Royal Arabians Cindy Mcgown & Mark Davis | www. RoyalArabians.com

Trained by Justin Cowden | Rio Verde, Arizona 775.901.3029 | jcowden@royalarabians.com

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