AQHA President, Rancher, Team Roper & Champion Racing Quarter Horse Owner
Out of Hereford, Texas Johnny Trotter’s impact on the racing industry can be felt throughout the state. Trotter spent his early years trading horses in and around Clovis, NM and learned from the greats such as Pete Garnett, Bobby Lewis, Bobby Edmond and Sonny Thomason. Trotter credits One Famous Eagle with leading him into a relationship with Anne and John Marion and Karen and Glenn Blodgett, who would become some of the greatest business partners and friends that he would ever have.
Trotter also credits Dr. Charles Graham with spearheading his relationship with the American Quarter Horse Association. In 2001, at Bar G, one morning about 6 a.m., he was called to the phone. “Doc” Graham was on the other end and he told Trotter “Here’s the deal, at next year’s convention, I want to introduce you at the Texas directors meeting. In a few years, there will be a seat open on the board and we will need you to represent Texas as an AQHA director!”
Trotter served as an AQHA Director for 11 years and became president of the American Quarter Horse Association in 2014. He has served on the racing, nominations and credentials, stud book and registration committees, as well as the foundation, ranching and racing councils. His involvement in the American Quarter Horse Industry focused on racing, roping, and horses used for ranch work and breeding. He is an avid team roper and participates in numerous ropings, including the World Series of Team Roping.
In 2015, he was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and in 2017 Trotter received the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Chester A. Reynolds Memorial Award.
In addition to his involvement in the horse industry, Trotter is actively involved in his local community. He has served on the West Texas A&M University Foundation as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Deaf Smith County Chamber of Commerce and the Kings Manor Methodist Retirement Home boards. He is the CEO of Livestock Investors Ltd and owns Bar G Feedyard. Trotter is also a former member of the Texas Cattle Feeders board of directors and was the 2006 recipient of the Tri-State Fair Western Heritage Award.
Just announced in April 2017, Johnny Trotter is also part of a 5-member partnership, All American Ruidoso Downs Racing, LLC, pursuing the purchase of Ruidoso Downs from R.D. Hubbard.