From Mesa, Arizona to the Winner’s Circle: The Rise of Kent Ray Taylor
Kent Ray Taylor is a man who knows how to win. A self-made millionaire and renowned horse owner, Kent has had an illustrious career within the horse community spanning over three decades. He started small, getting his first racehorse as a Christmas present, and this ignited his passion for becoming who he is today. With hard work and a lot of luck, Kent has built an empire within the horse racing world.
His horses have won some of the most prestigious races in the country, and his stable is one of the most successful in history. Kent Taylor believes that everyone has one life and that they should use it wisely. While people easily throw this philosophy around, Taylor takes this message to heart. His passion can be seen in his remarkable achievements, including becoming a leading AQHA competitor in his amateur years as a youth.
Career
The philosophy then inspired Kent to pursue another career outside of the horse industry, but after a nearly 28-year hiatus, he has come back with a bang. The self-made millionaire has always loved horses. However, unlike others he competed with, Kent didn’t grow in the saddle. Unlike others riding as soon as they could walk, he began riding as a teenager.
This was after years of begging and pestering his parents. They finally surprised him by getting him a retired Jumper/Hunter for Christmas. Only then did the horse owner begin taking lessons and eventually start showing at local shows across Arizona. The late start didn’t faze Kent. It only added to his passion for riding.
Once he was riding, he was inspired to become the best. Kent remembers that when he got his first quarter horse, he had only two to three years left to ride in youth. He also remembers going to his first local show, the “Blue Ribbon Show.” While he was still fresh and still had much to learn, he knew he wanted to be one of the best.
To achieve his dream, he began working with great trainers, learning skills from them, and training with a single-minded focus. Soon, his growth was evident. He started adding classes and became an all-rounded rider, competing in Western Pleasure, Trail, Western Riding, Horsemanship, Showmanship, and even Pleasure Driving, Hunter Under Saddle, and Equitation. All the learned skills, commitment, and hard work began to pay off.
Championships
Taylor started hauling to competitions and shows almost every weekend and established himself as a respected rider. He won circuit championships and all-around awards in the US with Count McChick. His notable accomplishments include winning the Youth Versatility award and the National All-Around title on several occasions. He also won the Youth Western Riding and Youth Horsemanship at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress and AQHA World Championships.
Ray Taylor stated that he loved competing in all-around competitions and was very passionate about it. He also added that he was lucky to own some of the most incredible horses and work with great trainers of the time. Here are some of the latest news that featured Kent Ray Taylor, industry veteran and proud horse owner. Ray Taylor currently has four mares, namely
- SNAP IT SEND IT
- SNIPPITY SNAP
- NOT DUN LOPIN
- NEVER HAVE I EVER
His 6-year-old mare, SNAP IT SEND IT, made headlines after becoming the 2019 AQHA Versatility Champion, 2020, NSBA Horse of the Year, AQHA Junior Horse of the Year, multiple Congress and World Champion, and 2021 World Show Superhorse. With the direction of Blake Weis, his horse trainer, Kent Taylor, bought SNAP IT SEND IT at three years of age and has never regretted the decision. SNAP IT SEND IT, nicknamed “Bailee,” competes in several disciplines, including Showmanship, Western Pleasure, and Select Horsemanship. She also campaigns in Trail and Western Riding.
Success
Kent believes that she’s not only best in Western Riding but also believes that she’s a good trail horse. He describes her as a kind mare show’s easy to show. In 2022, the gray mare starts her new chapter as a brooding mare. If her temperament is anything to go by, then her foals will be outstanding.
In 2022, Kent Taylor acquired one of the best horses of its time, NEVER HAVE I EVER. The horse carries some of the most elite bloodlines within the horse industry, having been sired by NO DOUBT IM LAZY x A CERTAIN ILLUSION. Only a handful of horses have managed to perform like NEVER HAVE I EVER, nicknamed “Madonna” since she started competing at two years old. Madonna won the 2019 Two-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure Stakes with jockey Jay Starnes.
She then won the Limited Non-Pro Two-Year-Old Pleasure Class with Dakota Andrie riding. Madonna has dominated pleasure, winning APHA and NSBA World Championships and AQHA Reserve World Championship under Jay Starnes. She’s also won the 2021 AQHYA World Champion in Western Pleasure 14-1 and the 2021 APHA World Champion in Western Pleasure 18 and under with Dakota. In 2020, Madonna won the AQHYA World Show in both Lever 1 and 2 Championships, as well as multiple futurity wins.
With Sara Simons in the saddle, Madonna won the 2021 AQHA Reserve World Championship in Junior Western Pleasure, among other coveted awards and titles. The story about how Kent acquired this mare is quite ironic. Dana Andrie, the breeder and owner of Madonna, had contacted Kent to purchase one of his other mares, Snippity Snap. However, after discussing the sale, they both decided it wasn’t the right time. Then, Kent told Dana about Madonna and how he thought the mare would be great for him.
Little did he know that later, Dana would contact him again, this time to sell Madonna. Madonna had been a part of a breeding program for Andrie, and she had already provided the embryo that Dana and the team needed to benefit from her excellent bloodlines. After some negotiating, Kent finally agreed to buy Madonna, and the rest is history.
As you can see, Kent Ray Taylor has had an incredible journey in the horse world. He’s worked with some of the best trainers and has owned some of the most amazing horses. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for him and his stables.
About Kenta Ray Taylor
Kent Ray Taylor, an Arizona native, has been in the horse industry for over 30 years. He’s owned several successful businesses, including an equine breeding farm, horse training facility, and racing stable. He’s also an accomplished horseman, winning multiple championships in several disciplines. In recent years, he’s become a well-known horse owner, with his horses winning some of the most prestigious events in the country.
Some of his notable horses include Snap It Send It, Snippity Snap, Not Dun Lopin, and Madonna. He’s also the owner of the recently acquired colt, NEVER HAVE I EVER. Kent’s love for horses started at a young age. He grew up around horses and knew he wanted to work with them when he was older.
After high school, he attended Mesa Community College to study equine science. He then went on to get his degree in business from Arizona State University. After graduation, he started his own business breeding and selling horses. He later expanded his business to include a horse training facility and racing stable. Kent has been successful in every venture he’s undertaken. He’s a true horseman and has a passion for the industry.