Michael Blewitt

Cutting horses

Biography

Native to the Snowy Mountain Region of New South Wales, Australia, Michael Blewitt saw his first cutting horse at the age of 17 and knew that cutting would be his future. For a year he worked at a cutting horse facility in Queensland, Australia before making the decision to head for America. At that time, Larry Reeder, Stephenville, TX, had just won the NCHA Futurity, and it was Larry that Michael called to ask for a job. So it was that at the age of 19, Michael boarded an airplane and left all that he knew to come to America. His goal was to learn to train cutting horses. He would apprentice under Larry Reeder for the next four and a half years. During that time he saw many great horses come through the barn. Among the champions were Royal Blue Boon, Lynx Melody, Miss Royal Mahogany, Mr Tari Echo, Lynx Star Lady and Boon Sierra.

             It was also during this time that Michael met and married Jeanette Bailey, and they made their home in Stephenville until 1984. After four and a half years of apprenticing under Larry, Michael went out on his own and for most of that time was in business for himself. In 1990, Michael accepted the position as head trainer for Creek Plantation, Martin, SC, owned by W.S. (Billy) Morris III. For the next seven and a half years Michael, Jeanette and their son, Matthew made their home in South Carolina. During that time Creek Plantation was very successful in the cutting horse business. (Visit the link for accomplishments for show results.)

In 1997, Michael and his family decided it was time to establish Michael Blewitt Cutting Horses. After leasing facilities for years, they made the decision in 2005 to build their own training facility near Hartsville, SC.

             Over the years Michael has started and finished many cutting horses and helped numerous riders achieve victory in the cutting arena. He is on the board of directors for Wateree CHA and for Northern Piedmont CHA. And though he elected not to judge horse shows anymore, he has enjoyed the status of AAA judge for many years.

Matthew, Michael and Jeanette’s 19-year-old son, is also very involved in cutting. He had earned a spot in the Area 18 Youth Finals six years and has won three Championship titles.  An Area 18 Youth director for Four years, he was recently elected as the NYCHA President for 2006-07. In 2005 Matthew was awarded the Todd Drummond Award at the NCHA Futurity. Matthew will be attending college this year and he plans to become a chiropractor.

Jeanette has been there through thick and thin and has been the main support in his business. Aside from managing the barn and the numerous other jobs that must be done, she is also a free-lance writer for different publications. Each month she has a page in the Quarter Horse News for the Southeast News, and also in the Southeast Chatter. Occasionally she writes feature articles for the NCHA Chatter.