5 Questions with John Sanislow

5QUESTIONS WITH JOHN SANISLOW

Meet the man behind Teton Ridge’s horse program as he breaks down the brand’s vision and equine industry support.

Interview by Kate Bradley Byars

In October of 2021, the National Reined Cow Horse Association announced the support of Corporate Partner Teton Ridge as the title sponsor of the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes. The owner of NRCHA Breeder Sponsor stallion Smooth Talkin Style (sired by Smooth As A Cat), Teton Ridge is positioned to support the limitedage event focused on 4- and 5-year-old offspring of sires in the NRCHA Subscribed Stallion Program.

To learn more about the members of Teton Ridge’s team, Reined Cow Horse News reached out to John Sanislow, the operations manager for TR9 Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, as well as the equine operations for the brand.

Sanislow, originally from Orlando, Florida, has experience training and competing in the National Cutting Horse Association. Now, he’s using that industry experience to further Thomas Tull’s plans for increasing the reach of Western sports and the Western lifestyle.

“I oversee the building and operations of the TR9 Ranch in Weatherford. The work changes every day as the ranch continues to evolve,” Sanislow said. “With over 98,000 square feet of covered arenas in the works and preparing for the 2022 foal crop, the work is plentiful and rewarding.”

Here, Sanislow explains more about Teton Ridge and its ever-growing team of professional riders, which includes NRCHA Two Million Dollar Riders Todd Bergen and Corey Cushing.

John Sanislow serves as operations manager for TR9 Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, as well as the equine operations for the Teton Ridge brand.

Reined Cow Horse News: You have a background in cutting. How did you become the operations manager for Teton Ridge’s equine facilities and properties?

John Sanislow: I became involved with Teton Ridge simply because of Thomas’ vision and what he’s doing for the Western world. This includes creating a place for Western sports on the national stage, celebrating the athleticism and spirit of professional athletes in our sports, and making major investments in top stallions and broodmares. I was also drawn to his commitment to creating a world-class line of equine athletes, bred specifically for Western disciplines. The cutting horse industry has always been a passion of mine, and to have somebody with his vision, drive and want to make the Western world a better place, who doesn’t want to be a part of that?

The Teton Ridge brand has engaged in several facets of the horse industry: rodeo, reining, cutting and reined cow horse. Thomas Tull owns horses that show in all these industries. How do you decide who shows what horse?

JS: Our TEAM: TR riders have their own individual horses that Teton Ridge provides for them, and they make those decisions. It is Teton Ridge’s job to stand behind them and follow their lead. As our breeding program progresses and we begin to accumulate yearlings, we’ll partner together as a team to decide where they are best equipped, and how they match up with trainers. I’m excited to see how the TEAM: TR professionals collaborate on these youngsters’ talents for their bright future.

In March, NRCHA members will attend the Teton Ridge Stallion Stakes in Las Vegas, Nevada. How does supporting our premier event that focuses on offspring by stallions enrolled in our Subscribed Stallion Program fit into the Teton Ridge brand?

JS: We’re supporting the entire industry through investing in the best bloodlines, significant sires and broodmares. Teton Ridge has come into the reined cow horse industry in a significant way. By doing that, we have accumulated an elite group of top broodmares in the industry with the guidance of Jeremy Barwick [of Western Bloodstock LTD.]. Assembling these mares puts a footprint in the Western world, which is exactly what Teton Ridge is about, elevating breeding and bringing analytics and technology to the breeding side of the horse industry to ensure long-term competitive success.

You have several talented trainers on Team Teton Ridge, including NRCHA Two Million Dollar Riders Todd Bergen and Corey Cushing, as well as NCHA and NRCHA professional Geoffrey “Spud” Sheehan. What do you enjoy about working with them in our industry?

JS: I enjoy everything, their drive to succeed, their integrity, their work ethic and their honorability. They’re all leaders in different ways. Corey is an incredible showman—he has ice in his veins when he hits the show pen. To watch him show is like watching glass; his accuracy and prestige is unrivaled.

Todd Bergen is a god in our industry. He’s an amazing horseman, with great poise and professionalism, and he’s just an incredible man. Spud has a relentless work ethic and truly desires to be the best showman. What he’s given up and what he strives to be is iconic, and it’s only the beginning. He’s an incredible athlete, horse trainer and showman.

It is an honor to work with each and every one of these TEAM: TR members every day.

As a cutting horse trainer, has anyone put you on a cow horse to make a fence run? If so, what was the best part?

JS: I’ve never gone down the fence, but I will one day. Corey [Cushing] will have to show me how it’s done.