Person · 2010
NRHA Hall of Fame · Inducted 2010
Jack Brainard
Educator · Author · Mentor · NRHA Founding Director · Inducted 2010
Jack Brainard attended the very first NRHA Foundation meeting and served as a director from the start — his membership number 19 a testament to how early he was in the sport. He built his legacy not through championships but through education: authoring three training books, developing the University of Wisconsin-River Falls equine education program, and mentoring an extraordinary roster of trainers including Clint Haverty, Tim McQuay, Scott McCutcheon, Kim Diercks, and his son Joel "Jody" Brainard. He was also among the first to ship reining horses internationally.
Career Highlights
- Author of 3 training books · Developed UW-River Falls equine program — dedicated to growing the sport through education from its earliest years; held judge's cards in NRHA, AQHA, NCHA, AHSA, and more
- International pioneer — among the first to ship reining horses to Europe and South America, helping establish the sport's global footprint decades before it was common
- Mentor to champions — credited with shaping the careers of Clint Haverty, Tim McQuay, Scott McCutcheon, Kim Diercks, and Jody Brainard, among many others
- NRHA Member #19 — attended the founding meeting and served as a director in the association's first year
Class of 2010