Ceri Ward shares the grit, mindset, and real-world numbers behind her career as a top futurity horse trainer in this week’s episode of The Money Barrel.
Ceri Ward is no stranger to the winner’s circle—she’s a National High School Finals champion, a multiple-time futurity standout, and the 2024 BFA Derby World Champion aboard her home-trained gelding Slick Swingin Gypsy. But in this week’s episode of The Money Barrel, Ward gives listeners more than just headlines—she opens up about the pressure of training for clients, balancing business and emotion, and the honest math behind what it takes to break even in today’s futurity world.
From her humble beginnings turning ranch horses into barrel prospects to raising her own home-breds and managing a training business with two degrees she never expected to use, Ceri’s perspective is sharp, grounded, and full of clarity. Whether you’re a seasoned trainer, aspiring jockey, or just want a real look inside the futurity game, this is a must-listen.
Episode Highlights:
- How Ceri went from college rodeo to elite futurity trainer by accident—and why she stuck with it
- The pressure and responsibility of training client horses vs. running her own
- Why business skills matter just as much as horsemanship for longevity in this sport
- Her honest take on when a horse doesn’t need to go on
- The dollar amount she believes it takes to break even in a futurity season
- Balancing anxiety as a jockey with horses that feed off her energy
- A tribute to Miss Patricia, the mare that shaped her career and produced standouts like Hiccup
This episode is brought to listeners by A Cut Above Buckles.
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About A Cut Above Buckles
Since 1999, A Cut Above has been creating high-quality custom trophy buckles for events of every size—from youth jackpots to pro-level championships. Their buckles are fully customizable, crafted with top-tier materials, and built to last a lifetime. Whether you’re ordering one buckle or a hundred, their team makes the process easy and affordable. Learn more or start your custom order at acutabovebuckles.com.
