Arena & Performance Division
594 CR 131
Gainesville, TX 76240
Ward Ferch Bio
Ward grew up in Kipling, Saskatchewan, Canada on a mixed farming operation. He began riding at the age of 4 and started training ranch horses at the age of 12. Upon completion of high school in 1982, Ward went to the University of Saskatchewan where he received his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture specializing in Nutrition and Reproduction. Ward then went on to work on his Masters of Science continuing his specialization in nutrition. Throughout this period Ward continued training horses in his spare time and began getting interested in reining. While working on his masters, Ward began instructing nutrition, reproduction and various production classes at Fairview College. During his tenure at Fairview, he had the pleasure of helping to develop their Intercollegiate Rodeo Club and worked to improve the Equine and Agriculture Programs while employed as coordinator for those programs.
Again, while maintaining his full time job, Ward trained horses in his spare time and began specializing in reining and cowhorses. In 1992 Ward decided to start training exclusively and moved to Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. From 1992 until 2002 Ward trained horses in Alberta and won numerous National and World Titles. Ward’s greatest achievement during this period, however, was his marriage to Carrie-Ann Stair and the births of his two children Skye-Lynn and Link.
During 2002 Ward set his eyes state side in order to enable himself to progress further. In the fall of 2002, Ward and his family moved down to work at Todd Arvidson Reining Horses as a Nutritionist and Trainer. Following two years of growth with Arvidson, Ward went on to work at Dave Lowes’ Rancho Estelle de Krystle for one year. During the 2005 NRHA Futurity, Ward received what he, himself, calls his biggest break when he was offered a job from Jim Babcock of Babcock Ranch.
“During my period at Babcock Ranch I have never been associated with a program that has offered to support and improvement ability that the ranch offers. This coupled with the ability to ride some of the best horses the world has to offer ensures unparalleled opportunities for now and way into the future.”
Career Highlights:
All American Quarter Horse Congress
NRHA Int Open Co-Champoin
Quarter Horse World Show
4th Senior Reining
8th Junior Reining
SWRHA Year End Champion
Novice Horse Open
Ltd Open
APHC Senior Working Cowhorse World Champion
APHC Snaffle Bit / Hackamore Reining Reserve World Champion
Morgan World Show Jr. Reining Reserve Champion
Canadian National Quarter Horse Show
Jr. Reining Reserve Champion
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