For four years, Brent Grider has operated Brent Grider Stables in Columbia, Ky.  He is the head trainer and manager there. Tommy Grider, his uncle, is the owner of the barn. Charles Tooley has been his assistant trainer for several years. Grider started training when he was a sophomore in high school. He trained for his uncle, Donnie Grider, after school and he worked for Danny Hughes at J&H Stables during the summers. He went to work for David Smith after graduating, so that makes it eight years and counting that he has been training.
            Grider grew up in the horse business and he says that he cannot even remember his first horse show. His family involvement in the horse business goes back for decades. His grandmother raised several world champions and his grandfather was an owner, trader and trainer of horses. Grider’s father, Ronnie, was a trainer and currently owns and exhibits horses. His uncle, Donnie Grider, is currently training horses and his uncle, Tommy Grider, has always been a very involved owner and exhibitor for many years.
            He does know about his first time showing though. It was in the 11 and Under Country Pleasure class at the Kentucky Celebration aboard his brother’s horse named Eb. Grider received 10th place that night. His first blue ribbon was at the Cookeville, Tenn., horse show on a mare named Headline Honey in the Juvenile class.
            Grider credits his father as being his hero or mentor growing up. He explains that his father is honest, hardworking and puts so much dedication in everything that he does. His whole family has influenced him to get into horses and train. Grider’s uncle, Tommy, and his father are the two that have had the most influence on his career because they have been behind him from the start.
            Witch Revival and Grider took home the Three-Year-Old Mare World Championship at the 2006 Celebration and that by far has been his most memorable show ring experience yet. His favorite World Grand Champion is The Black Night Shade, Jimmy McConnell’s 2004 World Grand Champion. Grider states that he was always so true and honest. He had such grace and presence. In his opinion, he was the picture perfect walking horse. Grider said that The Pusher C.G. is the greatest horse of all time.
            Going out with friends and to the lake is what Grider likes to do in his free time. He got married on Oct. 1, 2005 to Courtney. They met at the Gulf Coast Charity Horse Show in 2003 and dated until they wed. They have a daughter named Harper Susan. Her first birthday was on April 7. They have started her young. She has been riding at the barn with her daddy and has already won a blue ribbon!        
            In five years, Grider hopes to be at his barn in Columbia, Ky., training and trading horses. As he gets older he wants to be known as a very honest, hard working and trustworthy person who always does what he says.