Michael Cooper didn’t come up through the traditional cutting horse pipeline—but his rise to becoming an National Cutting Horse Association $6 million rider is a testament to grit, faith and an unrelenting work ethic. Raised in the hills of southern Missouri with limited resources and no formal mentorship, Cooper built his career from the ground up, learning through experience, observation and an unwavering commitment to improving as a horseman.
From Setback to NCHA Super Stakes Champion: Red N Milds and Michael Cooper Shine in Fort Worth
In this episode of The Ride, Cooper joins host Emily Carey to reflect on the unconventional path that shaped his career—from his first ride on a cutting horse as a teenager to developing into one of the sport’s top trainers. He shares how early hardships instilled the toughness required to succeed, and why those challenges ultimately became the foundation of his program.
