Tom McCutcheon's THE SHOW

This week, the guys turn the mic on one of their own — co-host Gunny Mathison takes the guest chair.They dig into how Gunny got his start with horses, his days playing high school baseball, and somehow, how golf entered the picture. From there, the conversation covers the types of horses Gunny gravitates toward, his accomplishments in the industry, and some great stories from the past — including what it was like coming to work for Tom at just 18 years old.The guys also get into Gunny's bit and spur making, which has become a craft and passion all its own — including how a pair of spurs can fetch a serious price tag. Beyond horses and hardware, they talk about the way Gunny approaches life in general, which anyone who knows him won't be surprised by.With plenty of laughs and a format that flips the usual dynamic, this one's a fun change of pace — and a great look at one of the guys who's always been part of the conversation.

This week on The Show, we’re joined by legendary NRHA Hall of Famer Shawn Flarida and his son, Sam Flarida, for a conversation full of stories, perspective, and plenty of laughs. Fresh off making his first Level 4 Open Finals at the NRBC, Sam talks about the experience and what it meant to reach that milestone, while Shawn reflects on decades in the industry and the people and horses that helped shape his career.The guys also look back on Tom and Shawn’s WEG days, discuss how the reining industry and horses themselves have changed over the years, and talk about legendary horses like Wimpys Little Step and Wimpys Little Chic. From grit, heart, and what separates good horses from truly great ones, to the dynamic of working together as a father and son in the training business, this episode is packed with insight, memories, and the kind of conversations only lifelong horsemen can have.Thank you to Shawn and Sam for joining us on this week’s episode!

On this episode, we sit down with the NRBC Level 4 Non-Pro Classic Champion, Reed Kyle.This one is a special one. Reed isn’t just an accomplished showman, he’s also our Bluebonnet Feeds sales rep and a longtime family friend, which makes this conversation feel a little more like sitting around after a horse show than a typical interview.We dive into the full story behind his winning horse, Geronemo, from where he found him to how the opportunity came together for Reed to show him at the NRBC. Reed walks us through the entire journey, including leading the preliminary go with a standout run and what it felt like to come back and seal the deal in the finals.Beyond the win, we get into the details that people don’t always hear. The preparation, the mindset, and what really goes into putting together a championship performance at that level.Of course, it wouldn’t be this group without some stories. The guys go back to the old Kyle Ranch days, Tom’s legendary Halloween parties, and a few moments that might be considered slightly controversial. We even get some great behind-the-scenes stories about Reed’s dad, Pete, including one from a basketball tournament that you won’t want to miss.It’s equal parts insight, storytelling, and good conversation.

This week, the guys sit down with NRHA Million Dollar Rider Gabriel Borges, fresh off a win at The Run For A Million Qualifier.They break down the qualifier, the level of competition it takes to get it done, and what it means heading into Vegas. Gabriel also shares his story—from getting started in reining in Brazil to making the move to the United States, learning English, and building a career at the highest level of the sport.The conversation dives into his time working for Tom, the trainers who have influenced him along the way, and a broader look at how the horse industry differs between Brazil, Europe, and the U.S. They also touch on non-pro vs. open horses and what it takes to succeed across different programs and environments.Of course, it wouldn’t be a full episode without some laughs—including a conversation about Gabriel’s mate habit—and plenty of real talk about horses, training, and the realities of making it in this industry.A big thank you to Gabriel for coming from Oklahoma and joining us on this week’s episode!

This week on The Show, we sit down with Taylor Sheridan — creator of Yellowstone and one of the most influential voices in modern western culture.The guys talk to Taylor about how he got his start in the horse industry, his path into acting and writing, and what it actually took to get projects like Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923 picked up. The conversation dives into the realities of the entertainment industry, what his day-to-day life looks like now, and what he’s currently working on.We also discuss his involvement in the western and performance horse industries through his own ranch, Bosque Ranch, along with his involvement in the ownership of the historic 6666 Ranch. From there, the conversation turns to the origins of The Run For A Million, the upcoming TRFAM qualifier, and the continued growth of the reining industry.Throughout the episode, the guys talk about increasing visibility for the performance horse world, making it more of a spectator sport, and what that kind of growth could mean for the industry moving forward. Taylor also shares insight into his business ventures, including his ownership of Cattlemen’s Steakhouse in Fort Worth, as well as the bigger vision behind everything he’s building.A big part of that vision is authenticity — preserving the western way of life and making sure what’s shown on screen reflects the real world. As Taylor puts it, nothing is accidental, and that attention to detail shows up in everything he does.Plus, we get into Tom & Cade’s experience on Yellowstone and how moments like that are helping bring more recognition to the western lifestyle and horse industry.A big thank you to Taylor for joining us — we appreciate him taking the time to sit down and share his perspective.

The performance horse industry isn’t what it was 10 years ago — and few people have had a front-row seat to that shift like $11M+ rider and NCHA Hall of Fame member Austin Shepard.In this episode of Tom McCutcheon’s The Show, we dive into the rise of million dollar performance horses, the sales that changed the cutting industry, and how major events like The Run For A Million have influenced the broader western performance horse market. Austin shares his perspective on how the game has evolved — from horse values and showmanship to work ethic, mentorship, and what it takes to stay relevant at the highest levels of competition.From million dollar mares to industry growth, leadership, and the next generation of horsemen, this is an inside look at how cutting — and the entire performance horse world — continues to change.Whether you’re involved in cutting, reining, cow horse, or simply follow the western performance industry, this conversation offers insight you won’t hear anywhere else.

This week on The Show, we’re joined by a true force in breakaway roping—Sarah Angelone.At her young age, Sarah has already built a résumé that puts her among the elite in the sport. With career earnings surpassing 1 Million Dollars and championships on some of rodeo’s biggest stages, she’s no stranger to the winner’s circle.In Episode 118, Tom, Gunny, Joe, and Cade sit down with Sarah to talk about her journey into rodeo, the moments that shaped her career, and what it takes to compete at the highest level in today’s breakaway industry. We dive into how the sport has evolved, where it’s headed, and the differences between breakaway and reining.Of course, things wouldn’t be complete without a little fun. Tom officially challenges Sarah, Trevor Brazile, and Miles Baker to a breakaway roping competition—and to make sure it’s not just talk, Trevor gets a call on air. Let’s just say… accountability was established.Between laughs, real insight, and an impressive story of discipline and drive, this episode is a must-listen. Sarah’s perspective, humility, and passion for the sport shine through, and we’re grateful she joined us to share her story.Thanks for coming on, Sarah—we loved having you.

This week on The Show, we’re joined by a true legend of the cow horse world — NRCHA $4 Million Rider Corey Cushing. As the first NRCHA professional to ever reach the four-million-dollar mark, Corey has firmly earned his place as one of the very best to do it. With four NRCHA Open Snaffle Bit Futurity wins and three The World’s Greatest Horseman titles, he brings a lifetime of experience, perspective, and success to the table.Corey also brings some big news: Theorem Ranch has just acquired Teton Ridge’s iconic TR9 Ranch & Equestrian Facility, along with the incredible legacy that comes with it. He shares what this exciting new partnership means and what’s ahead for the program — and we can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.From there, the conversation dives into Corey’s journey — how he got started, making his first Snaffle Bit Futurity Finals, and even the time he fell off in front of Tom McCutcheon. We talk about the riders who inspire him, how he structures his training weeks while juggling three disciplines, and how both the reining and cow horse worlds have evolved over the years.Tom, Gunny, Joe, Cade, and Corey also get into training philosophy, including why it’s important to always finish a pattern even when things don’t go perfectly. The conversation then turns to family life and raising kids around horses — and why it’s actually a good thing for them to have a few hobbies that don’t involve horses. Cade laughs about how, looking back, he now really appreciates those high-school years before horses completely took over, and how important those moments end up being.It’s a fun, insightful, and honest conversation with one of the most respected horsemen in the industry — someone who truly loves the horses, the sport, and the people who make it special.Thank you for joining us, Corey.

This week on The Show, we’re joined by Owen Deary, fresh off a massive first NRHA Futurity—and what a debut it was.Owen is coming off a career-defining week in Oklahoma City, taking home over $100,000 at his first NRHA Futurity. His results included the Levels 1–3 Co-Championship, the Levels 1–3 Non Pro Challenge Co-Championship, the Youth Championship, and a Top 10 finish in the Level 4—all aboard a horse trained and sold by Joe Schmidt. After an accomplishment like that, having Owen on the podcast was an absolute no-brainer.In Episode 114, Tom, Joe, Gunny, Cade, and Owen sit down to talk through Owen’s journey in and out of the show pen. Owen shares how he found his love for training horses again, how he once had to make the tough decision between baseball and horses, and how that choice shaped where he is today.They also dive into what it was like growing up as the son of one of the industry’s greats, Casey Deary—who just claimed the 2025 NRHA Open Futurity Championship—and how that upbringing influenced Owen’s mindset, work ethic, and approach to showing and training.The conversation naturally turns toward the Deary family as a whole: who rides, who golfs, who likes makeup, and how the family includes everything from golfers and rodeo clowns to makeup artists and pony bronc riders. It’s a talented, entertaining group—and a wonderful family to learn more about.Of course, the guys also spend time breaking down the NRHA Futurity, which wrapped up just last week. With a much different schedule this year, they discuss both sides of what it was like to compete under that format and share their personal experiences from the show and the horse sale—which still took place, just in a very different way.Mixed in with the stories are plenty of laughs, some great (and highly questionable) relationship advice from Tom, Gunny, Joe, and Cade (do not try this at home), a story about Casey Deary knocking out a couple of Owen’s teeth, and Owen being welcomed by a big gun from a maybe future father-in-law (sorry, Jason). And that’s just the beginning.All in all, this episode is packed with insight, humor, family stories, and industry perspective.Owen, we are incredibly proud of your achievements at the NRHA Futurity and couldn’t be more excited to see another one of our horses succeed in the Deary family. Congratulations on an unforgettable week.

This week on The Show, we’re joined by two incredible guests: João Felipe Lacerda—six-time ANCR Open Futurity Champion, five-time ANCR Open Derby Champion, and one of the most accomplished riders to come out of Brazil—and Eduardo Christians.João is no stranger to the international reining world. Representing the renowned Tripol Ranch, he has trained and shown Gunner Dun It Again, made the Level 4 Open finals at nearly every major event in the United States, and regularly travels with horses from Brazil to compete on the biggest stages.In this episode, we dive into João’s journey: how he got into horses, how his partnership with Tripol Ranch began, what it was like to develop Gunner Dun It Again, and how he became one of the top riders in the world. From career paths to career-shaping horses, to discovering that yes—Brazil does have donuts, running water, and rap music—we get an inside look at Brazilian horse culture, major horse sales, the stallion auction, their show season, and so much more.We also tackle the big question: Is there really an advantage in bringing a horse from Brazil for the Futurity, and what does that journey actually look like?Plus, Gunny reveals he’d happily move to Brazil (he already has the green hat and yellow shirt). Tom would love to join… but the absence of Texan donuts might be a deal-breaker. And Joe just needs the ocean a little closer.Of course, we also discuss the upcoming NRHA Futurity and the challenges and conversations that have unfolded over the last 48 hours.Between good laughs, breakfast stories, and real insight into João’s career, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.As João heads into the NRHA Open Futurity and Eduardo prepares for the Non Pro, we’re wishing them—and everyone competing—the very best of luck. Hope to see you soon!

This week on The Show, we’re joined by a very special guest… and our co-host… Joe Schmidt.We’ve known Joe for years, but we’ll be honest — we had no idea about the life story we were about to hear. For two hours, we sat on the edge of our seats as Joe walked us through the twists, turns, chaos, grit, and heart that shaped who he is today.From growing up in California and winning surf trophies…to getting lost on public bus routes…to moving to New Mexico to work long days on a ranch (paid one pork chop at a time)…to learning how to break colts, shoe horses, run his own cleaning business, help others get their lives back on track, travel the country, and eventually find the love of his life — and somehow end up right here at Tom’s.We weren’t expecting this story — but we’re so glad we got to hear it. It’s funny, it’s wild, it’s heartfelt, and honestly… it could be a movie.For everyone who has ever wanted to hear Joe talk more — well… we got him to talk for two full hours.And it’s worth every minute.Thank you, Joe. Truly one for the books.

Dr. John McCarroll is one of the most respected and beloved veterinarians in the equine world. As the owner and DVM of Equine Medical Associates, Dr. John has built a career dedicated to keeping performance horses healthy and competitive. He has worked with the McQuay and McCutcheon families for over 37 years, becoming an integral part of their program and a trusted partner in all aspects of horse care.In this episode, Tom, Gunny, and Joe sit down with Dr. John to talk about his incredible journey — from how he got his start in veterinary medicine to becoming one of the most trusted names in the industry. They share stories of the many horses he’s worked on, including the unforgettable case of a mare who could barely put weight on her leg — and later carried NRHA $3M Rider Mandy McCutcheon to her first NRHA Non Pro Futurity win.This heartfelt conversation is full of industry history, fascinating veterinary insight, and a deep appreciation for the man who has made such a lasting impact on so many horses and their careers.This episode is one you won’t want to miss.