Les Vogt, a name synonymous with excellence in the reined cow horse world, has carved a remarkable legacy. While many have been inspired by his two-time NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity championships, Vogt himself credits his early passion to the legendary figures of Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, and Lash Laroo. As a child, he’d reenact their on-screen adventures, galloping bareback on his horse, “Sweetheart,” along canal banks, shouting “Hi Ho Silver!” This early immersion ignited a lifelong dedication to horses.
By the age of nine, Vogt was already earning money from his equine endeavors, starting with a Shetland pony for a neighbor. This early success hinted at a future deeply intertwined with the horse business, a path seemingly in his blood, tracing back to his grandfather, Chet Vogt, a seasoned horse trader.
Vogt’s formal introduction to the competitive horse scene, alongside his friend Leon Harrell, involved a trip to the Cow Palace. Dressed in matching cowboy attire—wide-brimmed hats, blue suede boots with zippers, and sixteen-inch tops—they were ready for the experience. Initially, Vogt’s unique approach to showing involved simply galloping around the arena and tipping his hat to the judge, resulting in a “no score.” His proactive inquiry with the judge about the reasoning behind the score demonstrated an early drive for understanding and improvement.
At fourteen, Vogt began working for the “Sun A Via” Ranch under the tutelage of Johnny Lamont. He recalls Lamont, a five-foot-tall Spanish speaker, with a mixture of fear and respect, diligently following his instructions. This period exposed Vogt to a diverse range of horsemanship, observing individuals with deep, lifelong ranch experience, evident in their use of traditional tack like tapaderos and spade bits. He keenly absorbed their techniques, a testament to his commitment to continuous learning.
A pivotal moment in Vogt’s career arrived through a daring gamble. Initially joking, he contacted Fritz Watkin, the owner of the renowned horse King Fritz. Watkin’s asking price was fifty thousand dollars. Encouraged by his wife, Coralyn, Vogt decided to pursue the purchase, despite lacking the necessary funds. He agreed to buy King Fritz and Watkin’s broodmare band for an additional $20,000, offering his last $1000 as earnest money—all the cash he had at the time, intended for groceries.
With the assistance of a friend and customer, Max Roof, Vogt developed a business plan and secured a lender. The success of King Fritz was extraordinary, enabling Vogt to repay the loan within a year, solidifying the horse’s legendary status in the industry.
Tragedy struck in January 1977 with the death of King Fritz, a profound loss for Vogt, marking the end of a significant partnership and a dear equine friend. The situation worsened when his band of over 20 broodmares, in foal to King Fritz, contracted a rare strain of rhinopneumonitis, resulting in late-term abortions for all but two.
This devastating period forced Vogt to rebuild. He reflects, “A few years later the King Fritz horses quit happening and I had to train what people brought me and I haven’t really said this too much but I had to start over. And it was the best thing that ever happened to me, having the top end experience and the desire to stay there.” This resilience and adaptability were key to his continued success.
Vogt’s career boasts an impressive 31 championship titles, including his two NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity wins. He has also been a prominent figure in media, hosting television programs, gracing magazine covers, and conducting clinics and producing videos for Non-Pros and Amateurs. Currently, he shares his expertise globally, conducting performance horsemanship clinics and designing intricate bits and spurs.
Despite his immense achievements in the show ring, Les Vogt hopes his legacy extends beyond the equestrian world. He desires to be remembered as someone who “never wasted a moment. That in the search for excitement, found it, didn’t just talk about it.” His life’s work is a testament to a passion pursued with unwavering dedication and a spirit of adventure.
