D�n Bog�t

Georgia trainer, judge, show manager involved in many aspects of the industry

Text Courtney Borton Ament Photo Anna Ingram

Horse trainer, Professional Horseman, judge, horse Show manager, horseshoer, you name it, and Dean Bogart probably has a hand in it.

Bogart got his first introduction to horses from his parents, Wilbur Bogart and Betty Hauger. Together they showed 4-H as a family in his hometown of Taylor Ridge, Illinois. Bogart knew from a very early age that he wanted to work with horses for a living.

“It is just something I have always wanted to do,” Bogart said. “I knew very early on that I wanted to have my own training and breeding operation.”

Bogart first went to work for Jim Dudley to learn the ropes of becoming a professional horse trainer. From there he spent a few years working under the guidance of J.R. Reichert followed by Carl and Trisha Yamber where he honed his Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle skills.

“Carl gave me the knowledge that I still use today, he was a true horseman,” Bogart recalled. “My main job was to prepare the Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle horses for Trish and Carl, many of which went on to be Congress and World Champions. I also started a lot of the colts. After I left I continued to do business and stay very close friends with the Yambers.”

In 1995 Bogart branched out on his own and established Dean Bogart Performance Horses in Iowa before moving his business to Forsyth, Georgia in 1999.

It’s here that Bogart began concentrating on All-Around and futurity horses for Trail, Western Riding, Horsemanship, Equitation and Hunter Under Saddle and coaching a group of Novice Amateur and Select clients as well as Youth and NonPro. Over the years Bogart has had the opportunity to be a part of some of the industry’s top performers including owning and starting American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) stallion Macs Good N Plenty. He has coached many Youth and Amateur competitors to World and Congress Championships including Cydney Benes and Call Me Blazing Hot (two-time Congress Champion; Cydney and Backyard Bob (two-time National Snaffle Bit Association (NSBA) World Champion and Congress Reserve Champion); Cydney and Iron I A Legacy (NSBA World Champion); Anne Simmons (AQHA Select World Hunter Under Saddle and Equi- tation Champion and Quarter Horse Congress Amateur Select Equitation); and Laurel Brower and Certifiably Natural (Reserve Congress Level 1 Amateur Select Equitation Champion.

But it’s the process of making a horse into something great that Bogart says drives him.

“I believe every horse is different and each one progresses at its own rate,” he explained. “I am definitely not big on pushing one if they’re not ready.”

That mantra has seemed to pay off for him and he continues to have success in many different disciplines at major shows across the country.

It was at a horse show in 2009 that Bogart met his wife, Tammy Schuster. They wed in a private ceremony at their farm in 2021 and together along with Tammy’s children, Cydney and Brett, they became a family. Together they welcomed a grandson, Ian, this past October.

Bogart’s operation now includes a 15-stall barn, covered arena and plenty of turnout, situated on a 10-acre farm in Monroe, Georgia.

In addition to his duties as a trainer, Bogart is also a carded judge with the AQHA, the American Paint Horse Association, the NSBA and, most recently, the National Reining Horse Association. He is frequently tapped to be a judge at some of the biggest shows and World Championships across the country. Bogart was also recently appointed to the Board of Directors for The National Snaffle Bit Association and is on the executive board at the Georgia Quarter Horse Association.

It was his love of horse shows that he had in mind when Dean and Tammy started the Fun In The Sun Extravaganza in Venice, Florida nine years ago. The NSBA sanctioned show was built on a dream to help the equine industry in the state of Florida.

“We are pretty proud of what he have accomplished in the last nine years,” Bogart said. “The show has grown into a great event at Fox Lea Farm and people come from all over to show at the beautiful facility.”

When he’s not busy judging or showing Bogart enjoys watching or attending sporting events, spending time with and vacationing with his family and maybe sneaking an ice cream every now and then.

He says his favorite part of his job is teaching a horse new things and has learned to keep things fresh with a great piece of advice he was once given.

“You do best what you know best,” Bogart recalls being told by Tammy’s father, Tully Schuster. “It’s easy to be good at something you enjoy.”

For more information about Dean Bogart Performance Horses you can visit his Facebook page or reach out to him at (478) 733-4983 or by email at DeanBogartQH@gmail.com.

Open Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for a professional profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.