Shawn Church
Born: January 26, 1976
Hometown: McMinnville, Oregon
Shawn Church's involvement with horses started at a very young age. As a child he showed in 4-H and open shows. Competing in a number of diverse divisions, from western pleasure to barrel racing. As a 10-year-old, Church began showing in Quarter Horse shows. He demonstrated an aptitude for horse, qualifying for the Youth World Show in showmanship, halter and English equitation classes.
Church began his professional reining career as an apprentice for Tom St. Hilaire. After working for St. Hilaire for six years, Church started his own business.
2000 was a strong year for Church. He won the 3-year-old open futurity at the Oregon Reining Classic. Church also collected Reserve Champion honors in the 4- and 5-year-old Open and Intermediate Open divisions at the Canadian Superslide.
In 2009, Church found success with both Little Devil Whiz and Smartest Shiner Yet. He and Little Devil Whiz were tenth in the CRI2*at the High Roller Reining Classic. In December, Church collected a seventh-place finish with Smartest Shiner Yet at the AQHA World Show. He followed that up in April of 2010 with a 10th place finish on Professor Smart in the CRI1* at the National Reining Breeders Classic.
Church and his wife, Stephanie, have two young children and run Shawn Church Performance Horses out of McMinnville, OR.