With over $250,000 in NSBA earnings, multiple Congress and World titles to his name, and a reputation for turning “maybes” into champions, Taft Dickerson has become one of the most quietly respected figures in the Western Pleasure industry. But despite the accolades, he’s quick to deflect praise.
“I’ve been lucky,” he says modestly. “Lucky to have great horses, great people around me, and a great dad who taught me the ropes.”
Based in Mount Airy, North Carolina, also known as Mayberry — yes, that Mayberry — Taft runs Taft Dickerson Show Horses, a family-owned and operated program that blends decades of horsemanship with a genuine love for the sport. But what sets him apart isn’t just his success in the ring — it’s the way he thinks about horses, people, and progress.
A Legacy on Both Sides of the Reins
Taft credits much of his foundation to his father, Donnie Dickerson, himself a respected horseman with a deep impact on Taft’s career and values. “I’m so thankful for him and what he’s taught me,” says Taft.
But while the roots run deep, Taft has carved out his own niche. He’s become known for producing horses that stay good — the kind that show just as well for a walk-trot youth rider as they do in the open pen.
One such horse? The unforgettable Made By J.
“She was my first Maiden champion,” Taft shares. “Everything you ever asked her to do, she did it — and she’s still going strong. My dad bought her dam, Dark Jasmine, then sold her, and we ended up getting Made by J back into our program as a 2-year-old. It’s generational. That one’s special.”
It’s a common thread in his program: longevity, solid minds, and horses that win across the board. “I want one that’ll show for anybody,” he says. “Whether it’s a kid, an amateur, or me in the open.”
Made, Not Manufactured
When asked about his training approach, Taft emphasizes fit over force.
“Horses are like people,” he says. “If I don’t like a horse or a horse doesn’t like me, that’s not going to be a good fit. But when it clicks, it really clicks.”
That intuitive connection is the foundation of his program — and it’s shaped his entire perspective on developing young horses. He’s candid about the fact that not every horse is going to be the next big futurity winner, and that’s okay. For Taft, success comes from helping each horse find their place.
He’s also quick to praise the shift in the industry that has slowed the pace of training, giving young horses more time to come into their own. “We don’t have to push like we used to,” he says. “If it’s a three or four-year-old, that’s okay. That change has been a game-changer for me. You can make stronger, sounder horses. And if something’s not quite right, you don’t have to force it.”
This shift has dovetailed with the rise of Maiden and limited-age classes, which Taft wholeheartedly embraces. The ability to showcase a 3 or 4-year-old among others of the same age has given Taft and his program the space to allow the horses to be ready on their terms. “The three-year-old stuff gave me something to shoot for. It’s worked great in my program.”
It’s clear that Taft’s greatest satisfaction doesn’t come from flash or fast wins — it comes from watching the transformation, from being part of the process that turns an uncertain prospect into a confident performer. That mindset — patient, practical, and deeply horse-centered — is what sets him apart.
Balancing Acts and Bottle Service
Despite his demanding schedule, Taft balances training, showing, and fatherhood with a quiet steadiness — thanks in no small part to his partner, Kate, who plays a crucial role in keeping everything else running smoothly. “She’s a big part of everything,” he says. “From managing the marketing, the day-to-day family life, and of course, baby Kole, and just keeping me grounded — she’s a rock.”
Their program is very much a team effort, and that support allows Taft to focus on bringing out the best in each horse and rider under his care.
His days start early — often before sunrise — with a horse under him by 7:30 a.m. “You ride the ones that need it, some twice a day, some once,” he explains. “You adjust.” It’s a rhythm built on instinct, patience, and consistency — the same qualities he instills in the horses and riders he works with.
That dedication was on full display just last week at the Back to Berrien Futurity. There, his young client Brayden Stine piloted the elegant mare Bottle Service, by An Absolute Martini, to a number of wins — earning the title of Highest Earning Non-Pro in the process. “Brayden came and stayed with us for three weeks before we even went to the show. Then we went on the road for three more,” Taft recalls.
But not every rider in Taft’s barn can train with that kind of consistency — and that’s perfectly okay. His program is built around meeting people where they are. “I’ve got a client who’s been with me for 15 years,” he says. “She comes when she can — sometimes every weekend, sometimes just a couple times a month.” For Taft, success is about matching the horse to the person — not the other way around.
“It’s all about finding the right balance,” he explains. “You need a horse with the self-carriage to handle that kind of schedule. Not every client has the same time, but if they’ve got the passion, we’ll make it work.”
What He Looks for in a Prospect
Ask Taft what catches his eye in a horse, and his answer comes easily.
“Presence,” he says. “We all want big, flat-front legs, sure. But I want the one you notice. The one that carries itself like a champion.”
From there, it’s about building consistency. “I want a horse that’ll ride through mud, ride along the creek bank, do the same thing every time I ask. That’s what wins — consistency beats big legs nine times out of ten.”
And if a horse has a few miles on it? That’s not a problem. “I’ve had some that came through eight different hands before they clicked with me. Sometimes I knew what everyone else had tried, and I just tried something different. That can be the ticket.”
Looking Ahead
With major wins behind him and a growing legacy, you’d think Taft might take a breath. But he’s already got new goals in sight.
“An AQHA World Championship, for one,” he says. “And I’d love to hit the million-dollar mark eventually.”
In the meantime, he’s grateful. “I’ve got a great family, great clients, and a solid group of horses. I’m lucky.”
He names his clients, his father, and his partner Kate as major pillars of his success. “Kate keeps me grounded. And my clients — they get along so well with each other, and I’m just thankful for all of them.”
Final Thoughts
Asked for advice to amateurs or young trainers, Taft doesn’t hesitate.
“Focus on the ride. If you chase the win, you’ll miss the point. If you focus on getting a good ride, the wins come with it.” And in many ways, that captures the essence of Taft Dickerson — quietly focused, relentlessly positive, and always putting in the work to bring out the best in his horses, his people, and himself.
Natashya V.
Founder, StallionCompare.com | Creative Director
Natashya, the founder of StallionCompare.com, is a dynamic force in both the equine and creative industries. As a lifelong equestrian, Natashya’s journey with horses began with Quarter Horses in her hometown in British Columbia, Canada. During her college years she took a brief (and eye opening) hiatus from Quarter Horses to work in the Thoroughbred industry – returning to the AQHA circuit as a young adult. Natashya was also able to reconnect with the quarter horse industry through design. She worked with former owners of Pleasurehorse.com and Show Horse Today on their design needs prior to Robyn Duplisea purchasing the business. Natashya also worked at Horse Canada (HPG) as the Creative Director for many monthly, quarterly, and annual equine magazines. Her passion (read: obsession) for breeding, genetics, and equine pedigrees ran ever-increasingly deep, which lead her to create StallionCompare.com.
Beyond her equine pursuits, Natashya is the Creative Director & Co-Founder of a leading design agency known for its boutique, customer-focused approach. With her expertise, she blends creativity and technology to make a lasting impact in both horse breeding and design.
Latest Articles
