About Joe Wolter
I would like for you to know where I came from and how I got into training horses. I was raised in Grass Valley, California. I grew up loving horses, but we didn't have a ranch. My Dad drove heavy equipment to support our family. But I soon discovered a Thoroughbred farm next door to the local grammar school. By the time I was eleven, I was working there on the weekends and after school, I cleaned stalls and helped with the breeding.
I even learned to ride jumping horses there, and riding those jumpers was lots of fun, but I wanted to be a cowboy. So when I graduated from high school, I got a job on a ranch in Nevada. I left there the following summer but went back that fall to return a horse trailer I had borrowed and ended up going to work for Ray Hunt on another ranch.
Ray was a good guy to work for. Everyone on that crew wanted the same thing. We weren't there because we needed the job, we all wanted to learn. I remember watching Ray, and what he could get done, and how horses acted around him. It was like nothing I'd ever seen. It made me think of those years on that Thoroughbred farm, with those studs dragging people all over the place. Their answer for a horse problem was to get more people. Ray's deal was just the opposite. I can't imagine starting horses without that influence, as a matter of fact, I probably wouldn't be doing it today.
Bryan Neubert, Tom Dorrance, and Joe Wolter
The next spring I met Bill Dorrance, and I figured out real quick that Bill and Ray Hunt were a lot alike. Bill helped me in so many ways, and not just with horses but in just being a person. He was always gentle, people could be rude, but he wouldn't pay any attention. But if someone was there to learn, he would darn sure give them their money's worth. And he was the best roper I ever saw!
For the next ten years or so I started horses for the public, and I worked with problem horses. I also had the opportunity to work for other ranches. It was during this time that I learned a lot about roping off of young horses. At different times, I worked some more for Ray Hunt, and spent as much time with Bill Dorrance as I could. I also started some colts for Dan Lufkin and Lindy Burch at the Oxbow Ranch, and that's where I met my wife, Jimmie.
Among those sending us horses to ride was the Four Sixes Ranch in Texas, and in 1998, we moved to Texas. We first went to Weatherford, west of Fort Worth, but in 1999, we moved to Guthrie, and went to work for the Four Sixes full time. Today, we have our own ranch in Aspermont Texas. I'm still Training outside colts, selling some of our select Horses and we maintain an active Quarter Horse Breeding program. I also maintain a full Clinic Schedule as well.
Joe's Winnings
- 2002 – Won the Inaugural AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse at the Ft. Worth Stock Show
- 2002 – Won AQHA Ranch Horse Versatility at the National Western Stock Show
- 2002 – Won AQHA Ranch Horse Versatility Pueblo, CO
- 2002 – Reserve Champion AQHA World Standings Versatility Ranch Horse
- 2002 – Won AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse at Amarillo, TX
- 2002 - NCHA Classic Finalist
- 2002 - NCHA Derby Limited Open 4th Place
- 2002 – World Show Finalist, cutting
- 2003 – Won the AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse at Ft. Worth Stock Show
- 2003 – NCHA Futurity Limited Open 3rd Place
- 2003 – AQHA World Show Finalist
- 2005 - RHAA Ranch Horse Finalist
- 2005 – Reserve Champion NCHA Kansas Derby
- 2005 – NCHA Oklahoma Futurity Finalist
- 2006 - RHAA Ranch Horse Finalist
- 2007 - Won AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse at the Ft. Worth Stock Show
- 2008 – Caprock Ranch Horse Futurity 3rd Place
- 2008 – AQHA World Show qualifier, cutting
Billy Askew, Bill Dorrance, and Joe Wolter
Testimonials
There's a lot to learn from a horse and a lot to learn from Joe Wolter about horse, horsemanship, and the fundamendals of ranch roping. People with beginning through advanced skill levels will benefit from Joe's horsemanship clinic and ranch roping schools.
Bill Dorrance — Salinas, California
Joe has the ability to explain a philosophy, the talent to put it to use and a knack with livestock and people. He's a natural teacher.
Waddie Mitchell — Elko, Nevada
Joe is the perfect person to teach our cowboy clinic because he is so good with people and livestock; We believe that anyone can learn something from him, no matter what their range of skills.
The Hunewill Family — Hunewill Circle H Guest Ranch — Bridgeport, CA Since 1861
Joe's demonstrated ability and easy to follow instructions, builds confidence and skills from the rookie roper to the experience ranch roper.
Alan Redfield — Livingston Montana
With Joe's help, starting a colt is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in your life!
Sarah Nollmeyer — Wilsall, Montana
My husband purchased Abe from Joe for me to have for showing and working at the C Lazy U Ranch in Granby, Colorado. Joe took the time to get to know us and our skill level to match a horse for our needs. We as a family have all enjoyed and fallen head over heals for Abe. I have been extremely successful in my cuttings in the NCHA and in just a few shows qualified for the World show in February 2009. Abe has been more than a talented show horse to our family. He has been a safe, confident ranch horse for all of us to ride and we have four children between the ages of 6 and 17. He is the most versatile horse and we are so blessed to have had the opportunity to purchase him. Thanks Joe!
Karen and Brian Murray — C Lazy U, Colorado