Equine Partnerships

Posted: February 1, 2024 at 1:13 pm

Rancher, trainer and competitor Casey Bieroth is always in tune with his horses

By Dianna Troyer

Casey Bieroth and his horse, Bonez Jonez, compete at a cutting horse competition.
Casey Bieroth and his horse, Bonez Jonez, compete at a cutting horse competition. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CASEY BIEROTH

During winter, Casey Bieroth may not have an indoor arena in which to practice as his competitors do, but that doesn’t keep the nationally ranked rider and sought-after professional trainer from working with his horses.

“Year-round, there are always things I can be working on wherever I’m riding,” says the 38-year-old who raises cattle near Mountain City, Nevada. “During winter, I don’t use my outdoor arena or cutting pens, but there’s the county road where I can teach a horse to be responsive to my cues—to move off my legs and seat to become soft and supple and have loose shoulders and hips.”

He is keeping one of his most attentive equine pupils, Bonez Jonez (pronounced Bones Jones), tuned up. In late April, Casey and the 3-year-old horse are qualified to compete at the Las Vegas National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes.

“He’s one of the most willing and trainable horses I’ve had,” Casey says.

“Every day, he wants to work and has always wanted to do the right thing. It’s easy to put him together so he’s successful at a show and still does all-around work on the ranch from branding calves to moving cattle.”

Casey and Bonez Jonez perform a sliding stop. In late March, they will compete at the Las Vegas National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes.
Casey and Bonez Jonez perform a sliding stop. In late March, they will compete at the Las Vegas National Reined Cow Horse Association Stallion Stakes.

Bonez Jonez had a successful 2023 show year, earning checks at the National Stock Horse Association Futurity in Las Vegas, the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity in September and as a finalist at the Idaho Reined Cow Horse Futurity in Nampa last November.

Casey says it’s gratifying to train horses for diverse uses—to perform at cutting or reining competitions or simply to work on a ranch.

“I got into showing reined cow horses because I wanted to have better horses back home on the ranch,” he says. “This is still the main driver for me—to train horses that are able to compete at a high level but are also something that would be highly sought after by any good cowboy.”

Casey is flexible with his training venues—a snowy road, forested grazing land or an arena.

“Winter is a time to go slow and focus on making a mental connection between the horses and me,” he says. “With a sound mindset and bond in place, by the time spring comes it’s a seamless transition for them to start working. I like to balance their performance at shows with ranch work.”

Casey has competed on the NRCHA circuit throughout the West since 2011 and earned his judge’s card in 2019. He mainly judges high school rodeo cutting and reined cow horse competitions.

Casey, right, and Carissa Bieroth raise cattle on their ranch near Mountain City, Nevada. Casey says he started training and showing reined cow horses because he wanted responsive horses at the ranch.
Casey, right, and Carissa Bieroth raise cattle on their ranch near Mountain City, Nevada. Casey says he started training and showing reined cow horses because he wanted responsive horses at the ranch.

Casey traces his passion for training horses to growing up on his family ranch near Mountain City.

He took a hiatus from riding while earning his bachelor’s degree in agribusiness and a master’s degree in agricultural economics at Kansas State University in 2007 and 2010, respectively. After graduating, he worked in risk management for AgriBeef in Boise for five years and competed and trained as a hobby.

Wanting to return to his native Nevada, he moved back to the family ranch in 2015 to focus on raising cattle and training horses.

“During summer, I’ll throw a leg over about 10 to 15 horses a day,” he says. “Some will be in my program for a 30- or 60-day start, while others will be there for multiple years on a journey to become a competitive performance horse. In winter, I ride about eight horses a day.”

His wife, Carissa, shares his equine interests and competes in the nonprofessional class at reined cow horse competitions. They plan to teach horsemanship skills to their two young sons, Carson and Callahan.

“Horses are not just a recreational thing for us, they are a vital part of the ranching operation,” Casey says. “Being able to combine our passion for ranching in the high desert with horsemanship in such a way is really rewarding. Being able to have my family involved every day as well makes it that much more special.”