Chris Brown has received an Equus Award for his dedication to teaching and advancing the discipline of Cutting in Sonoma County.
Chris Brown was born in Australia. He began to ride at age three on his family's horse Tish. As an adult he spent eight years in the outback learning ranch operations.
In 1972, Chris came to the US to learn about training and breeding Quarter Horses. He worked with Leon Harrel, a national champion rider and one of the Cutting horse industry's top trainers. Leon taught Chris how to ride Cutting horses and Chris immediately got "bit by the Cutting bug." Thirty years ago he moved to his ranch on Sonoma Mountain, started training and showing Cutting horses, winning numerous championships. Chris found his true calling teaching others, focusing on amateur and non-professional riders and their horses. Over the years, many of his students have become regional and national champions.
Chris's efforts have been instrumental in improving the Sonoma County horse industry. He co-founded the Vintage Cutting Horse Association (VCHA) over thirty years ago, and served as President eleven times. He has helped operate VCHA shows since the club was formed. Chris is an approved National Cutting Horse Association judge and provides his expertise at local clinics, shows, and high school rodeos.
Chris is a role model and inspiration for many people. His positive progress in his fight against cancer has been a miracle demonstrating his will to live and dedication to riding and training horses and riders. Chris is well-respected and loved across the country for his skill and generosity, his dry Australian sense of humor, and his willingness to help anyone, anytime.
Chris currently lives in Petaluma with his wife, Cecelia, and son, Sam. They share the ranch with four dogs, a large assortment of parakeets, finches, and canaries, and twenty horses.
