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About Johnny Flores

Johnny was barely 5 years old when he started riding. By age 9, he won the World Reserve Title at the EXCA World Championships in the Young Gun division.

 

Since then, he has devoted himself to developing his horses through the time-tested traditions of the old Vaquero ways. He’s started, worked with, and shown breeds such as Mustangs, Appaloosas, Gypsy Vanners, Arabians, and Quarter Horses. This year he was honored to be accepted as an AQHA Professional Horseman and is offering clinics nationwide as well as international seminars!

 

The most notable horse in his string, is Draco. He was an older project horse that sat in his stall for 8 years before going off to a rescue for 2 more years. Draco was about 10 when he finally found his way to Johnny November 2017. A 16.3H grade, varnish roan Appaloosa with a past that took 3 years of consistent and patient work. They went on to win the 2020 EXCA World Championship in the Intermediate Division. Draco remains a fan favorite for his heart and beauty. Johnny is also a carded EXCA judge!

 

In 2023, Johnny was featured in an in-depth, AQHA Journal article online for this work with Ranching Heritage Bred, Young Horse Development Program filly, Sanjos Nifty Angel -“Lucia”. Johnny trained Lucia from start to finish. They won Reserve in the Ranching Heritage Challenge Youth Division and Top 10 in the VRH all-around LTD Youth at the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Finals 2023.

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In November of 2023, he won the Futurity Open Ranch Trail (4 and Under) and the Open Ranch Riding Freestyle with Lucia.  They also performed a Garrocha piece at the West Coast Ranch Horse Night of Horse to a huge dinner crowd. 

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As a showman, Johnny loves to spread the art of the Garrocha and Cowboy Obstacle Challenges. He’s performed throughout Southern California with his two appaloosas, Caliber and Draco. Johnny enjoys educating the public on the classical maneuvers of the Garrocha used by the Doma-Vaquera riders of Spain as well as the versatile demands of Extreme Cowboy Racing. His passion for spreading education has amassed over millions of views across his social media and globally recognized articles.

 

As braider, he has braided bosals for Road to the Horse (RTTH) Wild Card Champion: Cole Cameron as well as RTTH Competitor Lee Hart and many others! He is self-taught and sought after by professional and casual horse owners alike.

 

Through admiration for the traditional vaquero way of training: bosal, two rein, and bridle, Johnny taught himself how to braid bosals, bridles, and reins. He's proud to show his horses riding in custom tack he has hand crafted specially for them. He understands the different individual needs of each horse and rider. Needless to say, it's very important to him to show his horses in tack that not only works but creates a light and responsive horse. He is always humbled to work with horses, to listen to their feedback, to gain their trust, to develop them. It is a privilege and a blessing from God to train horses.

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