Richard Matthews- “The Dressage Cowboy”

Richard remembers being a three year old, in Tucker, GA. sitting on top a fence, watching the horses next door.  When he was six, his family purchased a paint gelding that was barn sour, rushing back to dump him, and his siblings, in the barn doorway! Undaunted by his tough beginnings, Richard acquired his first registered Quarter horse from Jack LeCroy at age ten. It was a weanling Palomino filly that he halter-broke and started under saddle himself, eventually trading it for an experienced cutting horse. This sparked a passion for cutting that continues today.

Entering Lipscomb University on a gymnastic scholarship, Richard continued to enjoy cutting while in school. Gymnastics proved to be an added benefit to his riding, helping to develop a naturally balanced seat, and the ability to ride fractious, bucking horses. 

After college, he pursued a horse-training career and received the opportunity to work with Randy and Sharon Butler at Broken B Ranch in Gainesville, Texas. While there, Richard worked with many young horses and became educated in reining and its connection with dressage.

In 2000, Richard settled back onto his family’s fifty-acre Mulberry Farm in Winder Georgia and pursued the development of his own business of training horses in multiple disciplines.

For many years, Richard’s long time friend, Dr. Carole Ludwig DVM, had been educating him in dressage. Dr. Ludwig had trained several horses to the FEI levels so when Richard moved back from Texas; he continued taking dressage lessons on his cutting horse. Through Dr Ludwig, Richard began working with Gunnar Ostergaard to improve his dressage skills. Gunnar was impressed with Richard’s abilities, and asked for his help with a very talented but difficult warm-blood gelding. After realizing the horse’s talent, Richard purchased the gelding and was able to compete at first level in 2007. His plan for 2008 is for second level.

Since 1999, Richard has started over three hundred horses under saddle ranging from Quarter Horses, to Thoroughbreds, and various Warmbloods breeds, and in disciplines from cutting, to jumping, and dressage.

Richard is now joined by his wife, Angela and step-son Cameron. Angela is an accomplished rider in her own right. She started riding at 11 as a hunter/jumper eventually moving into eventing, where she became familiar with dressage. She purchased her first warmblood in her late teens and trained it from a 3 year old through third level while training with Vogt Academy. Angelia has competed through second level and was Reserve Champion first level at the Region 3 Championships. She presently helps ride and show her mother’s Andalusian stallion along with helping Richard train and compete at dressage and cutting shows with young prospects.

HISTORY of MULBERRY FARM

Mulberry Farms was established in 1969 by Jack and Virginia Matthews as a recreational farm for the enjoyment of their three children.  Beginning in 1987 it was taken over by their son Richard who has since turned it into a working horse training and breeding operation along with cattle and hay production.

WHO IS Brendon?  Brendon is the BOSS !!

Copyright © 2008 Mulberry Farm