Todd Graham

Todd Graham was Australia’s first million-dollar cutter and has now amassed over 2 million dollars.

He grew up on acreage in the Brisbane Valley and although his parents didn’t ride, he convinced them to purchase him a pony to join the local Pony Club. This lead him into Quarter Horse shows, and then Western Pleasure, English Riding, Reining and Cowhorse events.

The Graham family soon became keen on the breeding side of the industry and Todd gained his initial experience of breeding, breaking, training and competing on these family horses. As a family, they travelled all over Australia to the bigger shows and as an 11-year-old, Todd trained and rode the Hi Point Trail Horse of Australia two years in a row, Mr Holly Mingo. Todd remembers this as his first big achievement in the Open Age arena, competing against adults.

In 1982, they watched “Docs Spinifex” win the NCHA Futurity and they immediately bred to him, and their first purpose bred cutter was born.

Todd left school after Year 12, a year which involved making the A.Q.H.A. Youth World Cup team. This opportunity was Todd’s first overseas experience as the team travelled to Fort Worth to compete in the Western Performance Horse Championships. Todd finished the event as the Hi Point Horsemanship Champion.

He soon returned to the States to work for Kathy Daughn for 3 months. This was a huge learning experience in the professionalism that was needed to succeed. This time spent with Kathy was invaluable and whilst there, Todd developed his training methods and his own individual style.

In 1991, he won the NCHA Non Pro Derby with “Ima Niner Too” and then decided to train professionally. This decision was justified by three consecutive Open Futurity wins in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

He returned to the US where he catch-rode at the NCHA Futurity and made the semi-finals and returned again with the “One Stylish Peptos” Syndicate, when they decided to take the Australian horse over to test him against the best in the Super Stakes.

Overall, Todd has claimed seven NCHA Open Futurity Championships & eight NCHA Open Derby Championships, remaining focused and enthusiastic for others. He is currently operating “Todd Graham Cutting Horses” in Tamworth NSW.