(Editor’s Note: The following interview took place between Bob McQuerry and Walking Horse Report’s Renee Lainhart.)

Lainhart: Tell me a bit about yourself and your basic background. 

McQuerry: I was born December 31, 1936 on a farm near a small town, Paint Lick, in Garrard County, Kentucky. I am 80 years old. I attended Paint Lick High School and graduated in 1956. After high school, I worked construction for six years. I then started riding walking horses part time in 1958 and went on to train full time in 1962. 

I first started working for Mr. John Bright, where I trained hackney ponies, gaited horses and a few walking horses. I worked here for three years. I attended my first Tennessee Walking Horse Nation Celebration in 1956 and have been every year since.

In 1965, I began training horses for Claude Brown of Morehead, Kentucky. In 1966, I went to work for Mr. S.M. Tutt at 3T Farm in Lexington, Kentucky and worked there for three years. In 1969, I went out on my own and started my stables in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. That was the beginning of McQuerry Stables.  I won my first blue ribbon at the Celebration in 1970 on Go Boy’s Midnight Rambler. 

I am married to Nancy Ballard McQuerry who also came from a family of horsemen. Her father, Leads Ballard and brother, George Ballard were also walking horse trainers. Nancy and I have been married for 60 years. We have three children, Allen, Georgia and Keith. We have four grand-children and four great grand-children. My son Allen still carries on the tradition of training and won the Junior World Grand Championship on Maker’s Red Mark in 1991. Keith also trained walking horses but is now in the Thoroughbred business.

Lainhart: What hobbies do you enjoy outside the horse industry?

McQuerry: My current hobbies outside of the horse industry include watching UK Basketball games and all other competitive sports.

Lainhart: What has been your most memorable experience at the Celebration, both related to the competition aspect of it as well as other non-competition aspects?

McQuerry: My most memorable Celebration was 1981 Stake class.

Lainhart: Who your favorite WGC of all-time that you’ve seen perform at the Celebration and why?

McQuerry: The best horse of all time…Honors

Lainhart: Tell me what it was like to show Pusher to the WGC in 1981? 

McQuerry: A dream come true. The ultimate goal of every trainer.

Lainhart: Who is a trainer you admire and would like to meet but have not yet met and why? 

McQuerry: I’ve had the honor and privilege to respect all of the great trainers.

Lainhart: What do you enjoy doing while your in Tennessee for the Celebration when you’re not at the show?

McQuerry: Spend time with old and new friends and of course, eating out.

Lainhart: What is your life like outside of the horse world?

McQuerry: Spending time with family and UK Basketball

Lainhart: Do you have any mottos or philosophies by which you live?

McQuerry: Nothing worth having comes easy.

Lainhart: What is something your horse friends may not know about you?

McQuerry: Many may not know that in high school, I played all sports, baseball, basketball and football.

Lainhart: If you could have dinner with anyone in the world who would it be and why? 

McQuerry: John Calipari because he is my favorite UK Basketball coach.

Lainhart: What are your thoughts on the industry as it stands today?

McQuerry: I think at the present time that things are improving

Lainhart: How have horses shaped you in the person you are today?

McQuerry: For 51 years, they have provided a livelihood for me and my family, gave me determination to work hard and achieve my goals. It is through horses that I have made lifetime friends.