Meet the Team
Craig and Ginger Schmersal
Owners, Head Trainer
The Dynamic Duo
Craig and Ginger Schmersal are one of the most influential power couples in the Western performance horse industry. Based out of their premier facility, Schmersal Reining Horses in Overbrook, Oklahoma, they have spent over 25 years building a world-class reining, breeding, and training empire. Together, they have successfully blended elite athletic achievement, corporate industry leadership, and mainstream television fame—all while keeping their operation entirely family-run.
Arena and Office
The Schmersals' business is a masterclass in divided expertise. Craig handles the training and competitive side of the business. He is the third all-time leading rider in National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) history, achieving the historic status of an NRHA $5 Million Dollar Rider in 2023. Craig is famous for winning reining's richest event, The Run for a Million (as the inaugural Co-Champion in 2019), and capturing the sport’s most prestigious Level 4 Open titles across the NRHA Futurity, NRHA Derby, and the National Reining Breeders Classic (NRBC).
Ginger manages the essential operational and financial backbone of the empire. She handles the corporate logistics of their elite breeding program, managing premier stallions like multi-million dollar sire Pale Face Dunnit. On top of business operations, Ginger is a fierce advocate for the sport, serving on the NRHA Board of Directors as the Southwest Director and acting as the Chair of the Non Pro Committee.
Associate Trainer
Adam Johnson
Adam Johnson is an accomplished National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Professional and trainer recognized for his consistency, precision, and dedication to developing top-tier performance horses. Known throughout the industry for his patient approach to starting young prospects and refining seasoned derby athletes, Adam has built a stellar reputation as a highly competitive open rider and a supportive coach for non-pro and rookie competitors.
Over the course of his career, Adam has proven his talent on the national stage, notably capturing titles such as the NRHA Derby Intermediate Open Co-Championship. His training philosophy focuses heavily on building foundational softness, clear communication, and working with a horse's natural capabilities to ensure long-term physical soundness and longevity in the show pen.
A New Chapter with Schmersal Reining Horses (2025–Present)
In 2025, Adam took a major step forward in his professional career by officially joining forces with NRHA Multi-Million Dollar Rider and legendary horseman Craig Schmersal. By integrating into the Schmersal team, Adam brings his sharp training acumen and competitive drive to one of the most prestigious operations in the reining industry.
In his role on the team, Adam focuses on:
-
Prospect Development: Preparing and fine-tuning elite two- and three-year-old futurity prospects.
-
Show Preparation: Campaigning high-caliber athletes across major NRHA events and aged specialized events.
-
Non-Pro Coaching: Providing personalized, strategic lesson programs to help non-pro and amateur riders achieve their goals in the arena.
With a shared commitment to excellence and a deep respect for the horse, Adam’s collaboration with the Schmersal team marks an exciting era of growth, promising to produce the next generation of premier reining champions.
"Consistency is everything. Whether you are guiding a green horse through their first circles or polishing an open derby contender, it's about building a relationship where the horse trusts your cues implicitly." — Adam Johnson
Associate Trainer
Nicole Renick
Nicole Renick is an accomplished National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Professional, open rider, trainer, and coach.
Bringing Nicole Renick into the fold at Schmersal Reining Horses in 2025 was a highly strategic and exciting collaboration for the industry. By joining forces with Craig and Ginger Schmersal's powerhouse Oklahoma operation, Nicole shifted from running her independent Pacific Northwest business to collaborating directly with one of the most successful training and breeding programs in reining history.
Why the 2025 Collaboration Mattered
For Schmersal Reining Horses, bringing an elite NRHA Professional and multi-level Open Futurity finalist like Nicole onboard provided a massive boost to their training infrastructure.
-
The Assistant & Associate Trainer Dynamics: At mega-operations like Schmersal's, elite associate trainers are essential. Nicole stepped in to handle high-level training duties, prep premier futurity and derby prospects, and help manage the extensive string of horses under the Schmersal banner.
-
Non-Pro Coaching: Nicole’s stellar reputation as an empathetic, highly effective coach aligned perfectly with the Schmersals' active program for Non-Pro and Youth riders (including Craig’s own family).
-
The "Pale Face Dunnit" Connection: Nicole already had a highly successful history of riding and winning on offspring by Pale Face Dunnit (the Schmersals' flagship multi-million dollar sire) at major West Coast events.Stepping directly into the home of the stallion's program was a natural, seamless transition for her riding style.
This move allowed Nicole to campaign world-class horsepower on the major direct circuits while giving the Schmersal team an invaluable asset in the training pen.
Early Life & Background
A native of Temecula, California, Nicole grew up deeply immersed in the equestrian world. As a young rider, she built a highly successful youth career, earning multiple world titles while showing all-around performance horses.
Her trajectory shifted toward reining when she was introduced to the sport by NRHA Professional Tanya Jenkins. Falling in love with the precision, athleticism, and mindset required for reining, she dedicated her focus entirely to the discipline. Throughout her developmental years, she received coaching and mentorship from Tanya Jenkins as well as Jerry and Shelly Lunde.
Career & Accomplishments
As an open trainer, Nicole has established herself as a consistent competitor at the industry’s highest levels, known for her ability to guide both young horses and non-pro riders toward success.
Major Event Finalist: She is an NRHA Open Futurity finalist, notably qualifying across all four levels in a single year, as well as making the finals in the highly competitive Level 3 division.
-
Futurity & Derby Titles: She has captured champion and reserve titles at numerous leading regional futurities and derbies across the country, including serving as the Level 3 Open Derby Champion and Level 4 Open Reserve Champion at the Best Little Derby in the West.
-
Notable Wins: 2026 Level 2 NRBC Open Derby Champion aboard Schmersal’s own mare A Sparkling Face. In 2024 level 2 Open NRHA Derby Champion, Level 2 Cactus Classic Open Derby Champion, and High Roller Level 2 Open Derby Champion. In December 2021, she rode the stallion Ruffino (owned by Steven Sandvig) to a score of 217.5 to win the NRHA Honorable Mention Futurity, adding to her competitive record of strong finishes at major NRHA events like the NRHA Derby.
Training Philosophy & Leadership
Nicole’s training program places a premium on horse welfare, open communication, and tailoring her approach to each individual animal's mentality. Beyond training horses, she is deeply committed to giving back to the equestrian community and supporting the growth of the sport.
Assistant Trainer
Luca Cozzo
Luca Cozzo is a world-class reining professional and an internationally recognized athlete from San Daniele, Italy. Possessing a natural, extraordinary feeling for horses, Luca began competing professionally in 2010 and quickly distinguished himself on the European stage.
His early career was marked by exceptional success, representing the Italian National Team and earning prestigious honors, including:
-
APHA Youth World Games Silver Medalist (Kreuth, Germany)
-
Italian PHCI Reining National Champion
-
Multi-time champion and high-placer across Fitetrec-Ante and FISE national events.
Driven by a dream to train at the absolute highest level of the sport, Luca moved from Italy to the heart of the horse industry in Texas after securing a prestigious P-1 athletic visa for extraordinary ability.
Known for his meticulous technique, work ethic, and horse-first approach, Luca has successfully transitioned to competing in major U.S. events, frequently making the finals in competitive Open divisions at premier shows like the NRBC and the NRHA Derby. As a vital member of the team, Luca brings a wealth of international competitive experience, a proven training method, and deep dedication to developing elite reining athletes from the ground up.
Breeding Manager
Emmy Emmons
Emmy Emmons is the Breeding Manager for Schmersal Reining Horses, where she directs reproductive operations for a world-class roster of elite reining stallions and mares.
An accomplished horsewoman in her own right, Emmy combines a versatile background in western performance, reining, and rodeo with a meticulous approach to equine care.
From stallion management to breeder relations, her dedicated focus ensures that the high standards and championship legacies of Schmersal Reining Horses are upheld through every generation.
Head Groom
Abel Garcia
Having been a part of the team for over 6 years, Abel Garcia serves as the Head Groom for Schmersal Reining Horses in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Tasked with managing the elite equine athletes of NRHA Five-Million-Dollar Rider Craig Schmersal, Abel brings an exceptional standard of care, attention to detail, and passion to the barn every day.
From routine conditioning to major event preparation, Abel's dedication ensures the Schmersal string is always ready to shine on the industry's biggest stages.
