John Mitchell stands as a prominent figure in the world of reined cow horse and cutting horse training, boasting an impressive career with over $4.5 million in earnings. As the resident trainer for Slate River Ranch, this Australian native has achieved the distinguished honor of induction into both the NCHA and NCHA Australia Halls of Fame. Mitchell’s expertise lies in training Limited Aged Event Horses, and he frequently conducts specialized clinics globally. His consistent success is evident in his numerous accolades, particularly in major NCHA events.
A Legacy of Success in Limited Age Events
Mitchell’s career is marked by a steady stream of high-achieving performances. In the 2015-2016 seasons alone, he advanced multiple open horses to the finals of numerous NCHA Limited Age events. Notably, he secured the 2016 NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Derby Reserve Champion title aboard MK Cats Kitty. Further demonstrating his skill, John rode CR Tuff Lucy to a 5/6 Open Reserve Championship at the 2016 NCHA Super Stakes. His prowess with mares was also highlighted when he claimed two Open Classic Championships on Junie Wood, including the prestigious 2016 Abilene Spectacular and The Ike Open Classic.
Recent Accomplishments Underscore Continued Excellence
John Mitchell’s dedication and talent continue to yield significant results in recent years. His recent achievements include:
2025 Season Highlights:
- NCHA Futurity Open Semi-Finalist riding Francis
- NCHA Summer Spectacular 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Country Money
- Breeders Invitational 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Country Money
- NCHA Super Stakes 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Shayla
- Cattlemens Derby & Classic 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Mary
- Ike Derby and Classic 5/6 Yo Open Top 3 Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- Abilene Spectacular 5/6 YO Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- Abilene Spectacular 4 YO Open Finalist riding Mary
- Augusta Futurity 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Country Money
- Augusta Futurity 2X 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel & June Bugg
2024 Season Highlights:
- Breeders Invitational 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Ivie
- Breeders Invitational 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- Cattlemens Derby and Classic 4 Yo Open Co-Reserve Champion riding Ivie
- Arbuckle Futurity 5/6 Yo Open Reserve Champion riding Gwydir Checks & Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- Ike Derby & Classic 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Ivie
- Augusta Futurity 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Ivie
- Augusta Futurity 2X 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Gwydir Checks & Moms Lil Rebel
- Abilene Spectacular 2X 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Gwydir Checks & June Bugg
2023 Season Highlights:
- PCCHA Futurity 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- West Texas Futurity 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- NCHA Summer Spectacular 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Sweet Lil Kit Kat
- NCHA Summer Spectacular 4 Yo Open Semi-Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- NCHA Summer Spectacular 5/6 Yo Open Semi-Finalist riding Janie Wood
- Breeders Invitational 2X 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel & Gwydir Checks
- Breeders Invitational 5/6 Yo Open Champion riding Sweet Lil Kit Kat & Finalist riding Janie Wood
- Cattlemens 5/6YO Open Finalist riding Janie Wood
- Cattlemens Derby and Classic 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- Arbuckle Mountain Futurity 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- Arbuckle Mountain Futurity 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Janie Wood
- Ike Derby & Classic 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Janie Wood
2022 Season Highlights:
- NCHA Futurity Open Finalist riding Moms Lil Rebel
- Brazos Bash 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Janie Wood
- Brazos Bash 2X 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Lil Ricky & Mamaz Boy
- Cotton Stakes Classic 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Janie Wood
- Cotton Stakes Classic 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Aristo Sally & Mamaz Boy
- West Texas Futurity 4 Yo Open Reserve Champion riding Janie Wood
- West Texas Futurity 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Aristo Sally
- NCHA Summer Spectacular 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Aristo Sally
- NCHA Super Stakes 4 Yo Open Semi-Finalist riding Janie Wood
- Cattlemens Derby & Classic 5/6 Yo Open Finalist riding Faithfulness
- Cattlemens Derby & Classic 4 Yo Open Finalist riding Janie Wood & Smooth Lizzylena
2021 Season Highlights:
- NCHA Futurity Champion riding Janie Wood
- Brazos Bash Derby Open Finalist riding Mamaz Boy
- Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular 4 YO Gelding Division Open Finalist riding Lil Ricky
- Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular 4 YO Open Finalist riding Lil Ricky & Aristo Sally
- Breeders Invitational Classic Open Finalist riding Sundance Jessie
2020 Season Highlights:
- NCHA Open Futurity Open Semi Finalist riding Lil Ricky
- Brazos Bash Open Classic Finalist riding Metallic Miss
- Brazos Bash Open Classic Gelding Finalist riding Sundance Jessie
- NCHA Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular Open Derby Finalist riding Ethell
- NCHA Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular Open Classic Finalist riding Sundance Jessie (+Gelding)
- Bonanza Cutting Open Derby Finalist riding Playin N Fancy Hot (+ Novice) and Ethell (+ Novice)
- Bonanza Cutting Open Classic Finalist riding Sundance Jessie (+Gelding/Novice)
- Abilene Spectacular Open Classic Finalist riding Sundance Jessie (+ Open Classic Gelding Champion) and Metallic Miss
2019 Season Highlights:
- NCHA Open Futurity Semifinalist riding High CD Rates & Ethell
- Brazos Bash Open Derby Champion riding Hot Lookin Cat
- Brazos Bash Open Derby Gelding Champion riding Hot Lookin Cat
- Brazos Bash Open Derby Gelding Finalist riding Metallic Miss
- Brazos Bash Open Classic Finalist riding Geronimos Catillac
- Brazos Bash Open Classic Gelding Reserve Champion riding Geronimos Catillac
- NCHA Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular Open Derby Finalist riding Metallic Miss
- NCHA Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular OPEN CLASSIC “Metallic Cat Incentive” CHAMPION
- NCHA Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular OPEN CLASSIC finalist riding Sundance Jessie
- Breeder’s Invitational Open Classic Finalist riding Sundance Jessie
- Breeder’s Invitational Open Derby Novice Finalist riding Mellania and Big N Smooth (+ Derby Sale Incentive)
- NCHA Kit Kat Sugar Super Stakes Open Classic Finalist riding Sundance Jessie
- NCHA Kit Kat Sugar Super Stakes Open Derby Semifinalist on Metallic Miss
- Arbuckle Classic Open Finalist (+ Novice) on Sundance Jessie
- Bonanza Classic Open Finalist (+ Novice) on Sundance Jessie
- Bonanza Derby Open Finalist (+ Novice) on Big N Smooth
2018 Season Highlights:
- NCHA OPEN FUTURITY FINALIST & GELDING CHAMPION ON HOT LOOKIN CAT
- Brazos Bash Derby Open Finalist on Sundance Jessie and CR Tuff Boonie
- Brazos Bash Derby Open Reserve Gelding Champion on Sundance Jessie
- NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Derby Finalist riding Sundance Jessie
- NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Classic Finalist riding MK Cats Kitty
- PCCHA Core Balance MERCURIA Open Finalist riding CR Tuff Lucy
- PCCHA Open Derby Finalist riding Thatz All Folks
- NCHA Super Stakes Open Derby Semi Finalist riding CR Tuff Boonie
- NCHA Super Stakes Open Derby Novice Finalist riding CR Tuff Boonie
- NCHA Super Stakes Open Classic Finalist riding Smooth Playin
- Cattlemen’s Futurity Open Derby Finalist riding Thatz All Folks
- The Ike Futurity Open Classic Finalist riding MK Cats Kitty
2017 Season Highlights:
- Brazos Bash Futurity Open Classic Finalist riding CR Tuff Lucy
- Cotton Stakes Open Classic Finalist riding CR Tuff Lucy
- NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Classic Finalist riding CR Tuff Lucy
- Breeders Invitational Open Classic Finalist on CR Tuff Lucy
- NCHA Super Stakes Open Derby Finalist on Reys Some Style
- NCHA Super Stakes Open Derby Semi Finalist on Reys Some Style & Hello Kitty
- NCHA Super Stakes Open Classic Reserve Champion on CR Tuff Lucy
- NCHA Super Stakes Open Classic Finalist on MK Cats Kitty
- Cattlemens Open Derby Finalist on Geronimos Cadillac
- Cattlemens Open Classic Finalist on TOF Smooth Operator and Miss Stylish Cat
- Cattlemens Open Classic Reserve Champion on MK Cats Kitty
- Arbuckle Mountain Futurity Open Derby Finalist on Hello City
- Arbuckle Mountain Futurity Open Classic Finalist on MK Cats Kitty
- Ike Open Classic Reserve Champion on CR Tuff Lucy
- Abilene Spectacular Open Classic Finalist on CR Tuff Lucy
2016 Season Highlights:
- 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS AND 3 RESERVE CHAMPIONSHIPS plus 20 FINALISTS in Aged Events.
- Cotton Stakes Open Classic Reserve Champion on Junie Wood
- NCHA Summer Spectacular Open Derby RESERVE CHAMPION on MK Cats Kitty
- 2016 NCHA Super Stakes 5/6 Open Reserve Champion on CR Tuff Lucy
- 2016 The Ike Open Classic Champion on Junie Wood
- 2016 Abilene Spectacular Classic Open Champion riding Junie Wood
John Mitchell’s extensive list of accomplishments, including numerous championships and reserve championships, solidifies his reputation as a world-class trainer in the competitive cutting horse industry. His ability to consistently perform at the highest levels across various aged events speaks volumes about his skill, dedication, and understanding of equine training.
