Larry Mellroth's ranch is located about 4 miles north of Cheney, Washington. His training facility includes 12 acres and an outdoor arena. A 16 stall barn will be built this summer and a 60x120' indoor arena will be completed by this winter. He will be boarding horses later this year once the barn is completed. He owns about 8 horses and has room for 12 outside horses. He has one 3 year old stallion, Fritzs Neat Sunglow, who breeds to a few mares. Young horses are always available and there are currently three 2-year-olds for sale.
Larry's ranch is primarily a training facility and he also gives riding lessons. "We have around 10 horses in training at a time." Larry said. He spends an hour per day per horse and also an hour per day giving lessons. "I start training with a good foundation so horses can go in any direction."
Larry started breaking horses over 20 years ago. He started showing reined cow horses, but switched to reining when supporting cattle became too expensive. Larry puts on colt-starting clinics around Eastern Washington including Moses Lake, Wenatchee and the Tri-Cities. He likes working with non-pros, showing and starting colts. "I'd rather start colts than eat. I just like young horses." He starts training colts at 2 years old and picks the best for 3 year old futurity.
While Larry shows mostly Paints and Quarter Horses, reining is popular among many breeds and most breeds have a reining category at their horse shows. Reining is the "Dressage of the Western World." Larry said. Cattle aren't used in reining which gives it a big economic advantage over cutting. He specializes in teaching primarily reining horses. Reining horses are taught nine basic maneuvers. "Reining just shows the best of the horse and the rider, it's not timed."
Several associations in Washington put on shows geared toward the amateur and non-pro. He does most of his showing in Washington and spends almost every weekend during the summer at Quarter Horse and Reining shows. Two organizations put on reining shows in Eastern Washington. Larry is active in both of these clubs and is the vice-president of the WRAHA.
Larry Mellroth can be contacted at 509-235-4619. The training facility is located at 13920 Merriney Road, Cheney, WA 99004
- Scott Larson, Exchange Publishing
