Matt Mills
Reiner

Born and raised in Long Beach, Calif., Matt Mills began riding horses at an early age. He enjoyed a successful career as a youth rider, earning multiple championships throughout California in a variety of disciplines including western pleasure, horsemanship and trail.

In 1996 he switched his focus to reining. He qualified for the AQHA Youth World in 1997 in reining, but never made it to Fort Worth. Instead, the day after he graduated from high school, Mills headed to Scottsdale, Ariz. to work for Dell Hendricks.

In early 2002, Mills established his own training operation in Scottsdale. He coaches several successful non-pro and youth riders, as well as showing futurity and derby horses. Mills also starts several 2 year olds every year.

Mills’ partnership with now 8-year-old stallion Easy Otie Whiz has been nothing short of phenomenal. As a team they have become crowd favorites with their fast circles, physical stops and effortless patterns. They debuted on television via an NBC special featuring their run at the AQHA World show in 2005.

Most recently Mills and Easy marked a career-high 231.5 at the June 2006 Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championship in Lexington, Ky. This earned them the championship and a ticket to the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany where the U.S. team won the gold medal. In the individual event, Mills and Easy placed 4th overall.

Easy has lifetime NRHA earnings of more than $240,000 and was the number one intermediate open horse for 2005. Mills was number six on the NRHA Top Twenty rider list for 2005. This pair won the NRBC Intermediate Open Derby in 2005 and was third at the 2005 Quarter Horse World in Senior Reining.

2008 Show Recap/2009 Schedule

Career Highlights

• Placed 4th overall in World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany on Easy Otie Whiz in 2006
• Won the Adequan/USEF Open Reining Championship in Lexington, Ky. on Easy Otie Whiz in 2006
• Ranked 6th on the NRHA Top Twenty Rider list and horse Easy Otie Whiz was the top ranked intermediate open horse in 2005
• Won the NRBC Intermediate Open Derby and placed 3rd at QH World in Senior Reining on Easy Otie Whiz in 2005
• Debuted on television via NBC special featuring their run at the AQHA World show in 2005
• Established training operation in Scottsdale, Ariz. in 2002