Richard Petty
Richard’s lifelong passion for the equine world had early roots in his family’s business in Colorado and was launched in the early 1970s with John Rogers Arabians in Walnut Creek, California. He went on to serve as head trainer for owner-breeder John Davidson in Calabasas, California, until joining the team of Nichols-DeLongpre’ in 1976 at their farm in Bridgewater, Connecticut. Richard was a valued trainer for NDL and assisted with their “glamour sales” of the 70s, along with subsequent sales when NDL relocated to Santa Ynez, California.
During this period with NDL, Richard was instrumental in developing the apprentice programs at an Arabian horse facility. Many NDL apprentices have gone on to become successful judges, trainers and breeders. Richard remained with NDL and later with DeLongpre’ Arabians until the operation ended in 2002. During his tenure as a trainer, Richard earned numerous Canadian and U.S. National Top Tens, as well as National and Reserve National Championships in Halter, Western Pleasure, Pleasure Driving and English Pleasure.
Richard’s career path then shifted to horse show judging. He has held Registered status with the Arabian division for over 30 years and is currently a USEF Registered judge with National Show Horse, Western, Friesian, Andalusian, Morgan and Shetland breeds, and has judged each of their National and World shows on numerous occasions. Richard is a recorded judge in the Saddlebred, Saddle Seat Equitation, Hackney and Roadster divisions with USEF. He is also a senior judge with both Miniature Horse Association – AMHA and AMHR – as well as with the Pinto Horse Association.
In 2012 Richard was inducted into the Pinto Association’s Judges Hall of Fame. Richard has been an invited judge throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Europe and South Africa. He is well known and highly regarded for his honesty, fairness and integrity and enjoys widespread respect among his peers and the general public.