The world of equine training has seen many dedicated individuals, but few careers span as long and as successfully as those of Rod Safty and Roger Deromedi. After an illustrious 45-year career as highly respected trainers in the American Paint Horse Association (APHA) industry, this dynamic duo has announced their semi-retirement, leaving behind a legacy of cherished memories and a deep compassion for horses. Their announcement, made during the 2022 Copper Country Paint O Rama in Scottsdale, Arizona, was met with a wave of sentiment and warmth, celebrating their significant contributions to the world of all-around horses.
Roger Deromedi shared that while their semi-retirement is part of a well-thought-out plan, the decision to step back from a career they have loved for so long is not without its challenges. “Not everybody gets to work a job every day of their life that they love, and we’ve been able to do so for 45 years, and that part is really unique,” he stated. “It’s also hard to let go of, because for that many years, it’s your life.” The camaraderie built over decades at horse shows has forged a deep bond, turning colleagues into a true family. “You call someone you know from the horse business when you need to talk or if you need help, and that’s probably one of the biggest parts we’ve cherished,” Roger added.
A New Chapter: Balancing Health and Passion
The decision to semi-retire was also influenced by health considerations. Rod Safty had previously retired from judging for multiple associations due to back issues and subsequent surgeries, with his latest procedure in 2019. Roger also underwent open-heart surgery for a five-way bypass in 2018 to address genetic heart issues. As Roger pointed out, the physical demands of being a horse trainer inevitably take a toll over the years.
Despite these challenges, their passion for horses remains undimmed. “We’re still taking horses into ride, teaching them Trail, Hunter Hack, and lead changes for Western Riding, but we’re not going to do the campaigning we’ve always done,” Roger explained. Their new focus involves working with “back burner” horses for other trainers and continuing to offer lessons to clients who wish to slow down and refine their skills.
The Journey Begins: From College to California
Roger’s first World Champion, “Far Ute Reydene” – Senior Western Pleasure. (Photo credit: Jeff Kirkbride Photography)
The partnership between Rod and Roger began during their college years at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, within the equine studies program. Roger, who grew up in rodeo, and Rod, with his cattle ranching background, initially started a business riding broncs for ranchers. Their journey into the world of show horses began after college, working in Montana and Wyoming. Roger worked for Diamond N Ranch, and Rod was involved with the halter horse program at Jim Weaver Quarter Horses. They eventually moved to California, where they established Deromedi & Safty Performance Horses and thrived for 31 years.
A Synergistic Partnership: Excelling in All-Around Disciplines
The combined talents of Rod and Roger allowed them to excel across a wide spectrum of disciplines, including Driving, Halter, Trail, Hunter Under Saddle, Western Pleasure, and Western Riding. Their ability to handle multiple horses at shows, thanks to their dual expertise, was a significant advantage. For many years, they also showcased numerous stallions, sometimes up to 10 or 11 concurrently.
Rod’s first World Champion: Classy Lady R – Senior Western Riding.
“We did that for many years and when Rod later got into judging, he had seven or eight different breed cards, he was gone at least two weekends a month and was judging World Shows here and in Europe,” Roger recalled. “The partnership of working on the horses together was still effective, because as I kept showing, Rod became my eyes on the ground.” Roger’s proficiency in over-fence classes also contributed to the demand for their training expertise. They also spent 13-14 years raising Warmbloods and showing APHA horses at USEF shows, which elevated their training and prepared their youth and amateur riders for Paint World competitions.
A Legacy of Championships
Over their 45-year career, Rod and Roger accumulated an impressive number of championships and titles, including numerous APHA World Show wins. Roger was the high-point exhibitor at the APHA World Show in 1998 and 1999, a significant achievement during a period of intense competition. Deromedi and Safty Performance Horses also secured many open and amateur all-around titles, often awarded with horse trailers. Roger estimates they won well over 300 World and Reserve Championships at the APHA World Show alone, in addition to their successes at the Pinto World Show.
Rod’s last World Champion: The Will To Do – Junior Western Riding. (Photo credit: KC Montgomery)
Choosing a single favorite horse from their extensive history is a near-impossible task, as Roger explained, “Obviously there are horses you get a special connection with, but we can’t say we have one favorite. Some really have become one of our best friends.” Among the many memorable horses are Rod’s first World Champion, Classy Lady R in Senior Western Riding, and Roger’s first World Champion, Far Ute Reydene, in Senior Western Pleasure.
Other notable horses include Sunnys Dion Bar, a mare that achieved World Champion titles in Senior Trail with Rod and Hunter Hack with Roger; Rod’s World Champion Junior Trail mare, Storming Go Rita; the APHA Hall of Fame horse Elegant April; Rod’s final World Champion, The Will To Do, in Junior Western Riding; and Roger’s last World Champion, Death By Chocolate, who earned titles in Junior Working Hunter and Junior Hunter Hack.
Roger’s last World Champion: Death By Chocolate – World Champion Junior Working Hunter and Junior Hunter Hack. (Photo credit: Larry Williams Photography)
“They become road warriors,” Roger reflected, “and once a show horse gets retired, they don’t last long if they lose their purpose. We don’t want to be that old show horse, so that’s why we’ve made the decision we have.” The emotional weight of selling their horse trailer and show saddles underscored the difficulty of letting go of a life deeply intertwined with competition.
Lessons Learned and a New Beginning in Texas
The life lessons gleaned from their decades as “road warriors” are profound, with a central theme of unwavering love and compassion for the horse. “We’ve learned that the number one thing is the compassion for the animal and not so much the love of the sport,” Roger emphasized. He stressed the importance of understanding that horses are living creatures and that trainers must be willing to get “into their brain” and find the roles each horse is best suited for. “Not all will be a Western Pleasure horse, and not all will do Western Riding; you have to find where they lend themselves.”
Roger also highlighted the sensitivity of horses and their ability to reciprocate compassion. He shared how many horses became true partners, pulling them through challenging times. This deep connection and teamwork have been crucial to their success.
Their move to Texas to be closer to family has allowed them to build a new home and maintain a stable with six to eight horses. “We’ve made some good business decisions and we’ve been able to own our own property,” Roger said. “We’re still riding and training, and now at our age, we’re also ready to do a little bit of living.”
Editor’s note: Congratulations to Rod and Roger on their semi-retirement. Their dedication, expertise, and passion have significantly impacted the horse world, and their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of trainers.
