Tom McCutcheon's THE SHOW

Craig Schmersal has truly done it all. As an NRHA $5 Million Rider, Craig is the only Level 4 Open Champion of all five major reining events: The Run for a Million, NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, National Reining Breeders Classic, and the Quarter Horse Congress. He’s also taken home top honors overseas, winning the Americana in Augsburg, Germany.Respected as one of the very best in the industry, Craig joins Tom, Gunny, and Joe for a conversation packed with both wisdom and laughter. From the people and experiences that shaped his career, to the importance of quiet time in the bathroom before a run, to unforgettable stories like how a bench caught on fireafter Craig sat on it, and a highway adventure with Brian in their underwear — this episode has it all.You’ll hear valuable insights on preparing your horse for the show pen, as well as hilarious behind-the-scenes tales that remind us why Craig is one of the most admired horsemen out there!We had a blast recording this one — thank you, Craig, for joining us!

This week on The Show, Tom, Gunny, and Joe sit down with a true legend—Gil Galyean, NSBA’s first Million Dollar Rider and Hall of Fame inductee. With a career packed full of titles, including multiple Congress Championships and 16 Open Western Pleasure World and Reserve World Championships, Gil has solidified his place in the history books.In this episode, the guys dive into Gil’s journey—how he carved his own path in the Western Pleasure world while the rest of his family went the cutting route. You’ll hear old-school horse show stories, the time Tom and Todd Bergen almost squared up in the warm-up pen, and a candid comparison between the Pleasure and Reining industries.Plus, Gil shares what it takes to make a great horse, reminisces about his favorite rides, and brings us along for some unforgettable Congress moments.It was an honor to have Gil on the show, and trust us—this is one you won’t want to miss.🎧 Listen now and enjoy the ride!

This week on The Show, we sit down with a true icon in the cutting horse world: Jody Galyean — NCHA Hall of Fame Inductee, NCHA Open Futurity Champion, and Multi Million Dollar Rider.Jody’s influence on the sport is undeniable, but it doesn’t stop with him. From his roots in the all-around and cutting arenas to raising a family that would go on to shape the industry, Jody’s legacy runs deep. His children Wes Galyean, Beau Galyean and Christina Cox are cutting horse royalty.In this episode, Tom, Gunny, Joe, and Jody cover it all:🔹 What it really takes to train a top-tier cutting horse🔹 Raising kids in the horse industry (and watching them thrive)🔹 Success, failure, and the moments that shape a career🔹 The influential stallions that helped build a dynasty🔹 And yes… helping Gunny let go of a long-held grudgeWith a mix of old-school stories, hard-earned wisdom, and plenty of laughs, this one’s packed with heart, history, and inspiration.You won’t want to miss it!

Episode 101 of Tom McCutcheon’s The Show brings you a true jack-of-all-trades in the reining world—Van Luse.If you’ve been around the reining pen, chances are you’ve seen Van in action—whether as a rider, a trainer, a judge, or the head steward of the 6666 NRHA Derby presented by Markel. With over three decades in the sport and 30 years of professional training experience, Van’s influence in the industry runs deep.This week, Tom, Gunny, and Joe sit down with Van to talk about everything from his early days growing up around horses to his evolution into one of the most respected figures in the sport. They dig into how the industry has changed, what it’s like to judge high-level reining events, and Van even throws in a free pattern placement lesson—one you won’t want to miss.Whether you're a competitor, a judge, or just love good horse talk, this episode is full of great stories, big laughs, and insights from a guy who’s truly done it all. Tune in to hear how Van’s passion for the horse, the sport, and its future continues to leave a lasting impact.

This week on Tom McCutcheon’s The Show, we’re celebrating our 100th episode with a special guest who’s seen and done it all—Troy Compton.A 3x World Champion and 12x Congress Champion, Troy has built a standout career in the all-around world. With roots that go all the way back to growing up in the horse industry, Troy’s been around long enough to have some of the best stories we’ve ever heard—and he’s not afraid to share them.Tom and Troy dig deep into the early days, from legendary pool table tales to first jobs in the horse world. It’s a full-circle conversation that mixes laughs, history, and a little perspective from someone who’s truly seen the evolution of the industry.Now based in Purcell and focused on reining, Troy talks about his transition from pleasure to performance and what drives him today.It’s a fun episode full of memories, milestones, and stories from one of the greats. You don’t want to miss this one!

This week on Tom McCutcheon’s The Show, we’re joined by long-time friend, business partner, and the man behind the best boots in the game—Bobby Smith, President of Rod Patrick Bootmakers at Miller International.Bobby’s been around the western world for a long time, and in this episode, we get into all of it—from how he realized accounting wasn’t for him to finding his true passion in the boot business. And let’s just say… there’s a lot of ground to cover.He’s spent over four and a half years of his life at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, so yes, he’s got the stories—and he tells them well. But it’s not just about the past. Bobby shares real, smart insight into building strong business relationships, staying adaptable, and why strategy and customer service matters so much in this industry.We loved having Bobby on for Episode 99 and can’t thank him enough—not just for the boots, but for helping us build lasting connections with some of our favorite brands like CINCH and Rod Patrick.It’s honest, insightful, and packed with great conversation. You won’t want to miss it.

This week on Tom McCutcheon’s The Show, we’re joined by none other than Todd Crawford—a NRCHA 3 Million Dollar Rider, NRHA earner of over $900,000, and an all-around legend in both the reined cow horse and reining worlds. If you've followed either sport, you know Todd's not just part of the conversation—he’s helped shape it.Todd’s won just about everything there is to win, and for years, he juggled both NRHA and NRCHA schedules like a total pro. In fact, he even showed the same horse—like the great Hickorys Holly Cee—in both the NRHA Futurity and the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity in the same year. Unreal.In this episode, we sit down with Todd for some classic stories, good laughs, and a look into what’s next as he sets his sights on getting back into the reining pen. We also dig into what makes the cow horse world so addicting, and hear some seasoned perspective from one of the sport’s most respected horsemen.It’s real, it’s fun, and it’s packed with the kind of insight you only get from a guy who’s been in the game this long—and still loves it.You’re not going to want to miss this one.

This week’s guest is no stranger to pushing boundaries—and we’re thrilled to welcome Jay Winborn to The Show! With a background at Red Bull and a passion that’s transformed the western performance horse world, Jay brings a rare blend of innovation, insight, and wild stories to the mic.From his early days orchestrating jaw-dropping stunts at Red Bull to shaping the traditions we now hold dear in the performance horse industry, Jay has done it all. The guys relive some of his craziest marketing adventures, unpack the strategy behind his influence in the western space, and dig into what’s next for our industry.Yes, it’s funny, but this episode is packed with sharp takeaways, thoughtful reflection, and a whole lot of respect for how far we’ve come—thanks to minds like Jay’s.🎧 Tune in now—it’s one of our most insightful episodes yet.

It’s time for another episode of Tom McCutcheon’s The Show—and this week, we sit down with one of the most respected and inspiring figures in the western industry: Shorty Koger from Shorty’s Caboy Hattery. 🎙️🤠From humble beginnings to becoming the go-to custom hatter in the business, Shorty shares her incredible journey of building her company from the ground up—by herself, with grit, resilience, and a whole lot of heart. We talk about where it all started, the struggles she overcame, and what it took to turn her dream into one of the most successful brands in the game.We also dive deep into the legacy she’s creating beyond the hat world—especially through Rein In Cancer, the foundation she started after losing her sister to cancer. This nonprofit has since raised millions of dollars to support individuals in our industry battling cancer, especially those without insurance. It's a true reflection of the kind of person Shorty is—dedicated, generous, and always giving back.Plus, she shares how she went from making sandwiches and cleaning buildings to outfitting champions—and how every job she ever worked shaped her into businesswoman she is today.This episode is full of perspective, passion, and pure admiration. We couldn’t be more grateful to share Shorty’s story—and we promise, it’s one you won’t forget.

Episode 95 of Tom McCutcheon’s The Show features one of the biggest names in cutting: NCHA $10 Million Rider Matt Gaines.Ranked the #3 All Time Leading Open Rider in NCHA history, Matt Gaines is a cornerstone of the cutting horse world. In this episode, Tom, Gunny, Joe, and Matt sit down for a wide-ranging conversation that covers both the unforgettable highlights and the tougher realities of a career at the top.Matt reflects on some of his greatest performances, including his record-breaking 234 with Special Nu Baby at the El Rancho Futurity & Mercuria World Series, and his 2016 NCHA Futurity Championship win. But the discussion goes beyond the show pen. From navigating the challenges of getting horses truly prepared for the arena, to those moments when a horse shines at home but falls flat under lights, Gaines shares candid insight into the unpredictability and complexity of the sport.There’s also talk of what it takes to make those split-second decisions on cows during a run, the rare connection that comes with truly special horses, and how financial discipline matters just as much as show success in a career that’s physically demanding and inevitably finite.Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode of The Show without some humor. From stories about post-run critiques from spouses to needing a ladder to settle a debate, there’s plenty of laughter to go around.A blend of storytelling, honesty, and expert perspective—this is a must-listen episode for anyone who loves the western performance world.