ABOUT TED ROBINSON
The following excerpt is from Red Hot Robinson by Ronda Quaid, published in Western Horseman magazine, August 2002.
Call it destiny, fate, or kismet; Ted Robinson seemed preordained for a life with horses. He has transformed a childhood fascination with riding into one of the equestrian world’s most extraordinary careers. His talent has made him the top money earner in the National Reined Cow Horse Association while his dedication has led to involvement with every aspect of the industry from teaching and public relations to breeding and judging.
To support a persistent interest beginning when Ted was just a toddler, his family moved to rural Oak View, California for an equestrian lifestyle. When he was in the second grade they started with ponies.
“My folks bought a pony ring, and set it up on the main drag in town. They bought unbroke ponies, and we’d ride them to ready them for the ring.”
To attract attention Ted would let his young customers ride until their mothers made them dismount.
“Before long we became the town babysitter. Moms knew that for a quarter they could drop their kids off at the pony ring, go down the road to shop, and we’d keep those kids riding until they came back,” Ted recalled with his trademark throaty laugh.
By age 10 Robinson had learned enough about getting around a pony to start competing in Ventura Saddle Club shows. He was soon placing in everything from western pleasure to barrel racing.
At 15 his talents earned him a job at Ojai Valley Inn where he broke colts, learned how to rope, and served as a guide for its dude string.
In the late 1970’s, after watching some of the top California vaqueros compete at Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Stock Horse Show and Rodeo, Ted was inspired to start training reined cow horses.
Ted’s early training career developed at night while he worked full time in pipeline construction. In 1983 his determination paid off when he was able to purchase property, and start training full time.
Nu Cash Dynasty
A fateful meeting at the 1983 Snaffle Bit Futurity began a relationship that proved pivotal to Robinson’s career.
“I was riding a horse for Arlie Harvey who I had ridden for since I was 16. He introduced me to Mickey Gragg who was fascinated with the sport. Her husband, Ralph, had retired, and she was looking for ways to occupy him. Being the horse trader that he was, Arlie sold them some horses recommending that I train them.”
When Ted made the SBF finals in 1984 with two Gragg horses they were hooked, and asked Ted to look for a stallion.
Acting on a tip, Ted headed to northern California to look at a Colonel Freckles yearling colt. After 
watching the blaze-faced sorrel move in pasture, he wrote a check for $12,000 and started working with the horse that would change his life.
When the 1987 Snaffle Bit Futurity was over, Nu Cash was a champion by a six-point margin. Robinson’s road to the most SBF titles ever won continued with Nu Cash get; Nu Colonel in 1995, Shes A Lot of Cash in 1996, in 1997 with Smart Little Cash.
Despite his winning ways, he is quick to acknowledge the talent of his horses.
“It took me a long time to appreciate what horses had to teach me. I always say you have to be over 40 to train a horse because you lose your ability to fight. You have to start thinking and not let your ego get in the way. Learning how to get around a horse’s quirks is what it means to be a trainer. I’ll always wonder what Nu Cash could have done if I knew then what I know now.”
Super Star Status
His streak continued when he triumphed at the first World’s Greatest Horseman contest in 1999. He then captured his sixth SBF championship as a catch rider for an injured non-pro rider in 2000, and reclaimed the WGH title in 2001.
His newsworthy wins at the SBF and the World’s Greatest Horseman add not only to his notoriety, but also shine a spotlight on the sport.
To promote the sport he loves, Ted’s involvement goes beyond the arena. He has been on the NRCHA board of directors since 1986 helping to develop the sport’s national recognition.
As mentor, industry leader, and “the man to beat” in the NRCHA, this charismatic showman’s future looks as exciting as the sport he loves.