MQHA Trainer Spotlight: Margaux Tucker
Name: Margaux Tucker
Where are you from: I grew up in South Bend, IN. Now I own and operate GauxPro Performance Horses in Joplin, MO.
Best way to contact you: Cell phone: 574-360-6868 or email: Margaux.Tucker@yahoo.com
Training specialty: All around events. (Halter, showmanship, pleasure, horsemanship, HUS, equitation, trail, western riding, ranch riding and reining) Our facility also has the options for cutting and roping training.
Are you accepting new customers right now? Yes, I am currently accepting new training horses.
How long have you been showing horses? I have been showing horses since I was 3, had a very short lived leadline career, then was in walk trot by age 4 on the mare my mom won in the IQHA horse award contest. After a successful Indiana 4H show career, I started my AQHA show career at 12 years old at the Congress under the guidance of the late Jim Garner.
How long have you been training horses? I have been training horses for about 17 years. I took a short hiatus to attend Oklahoma State University. My mom ran a small training facility in northern Indiana where I grew up. She helped me fund my first project pony to help continue to fund my AQHA show horses as I progressed.
How long have you been in Missouri? I have been operating in Missouri since May 2018.
What is your favorite horse show? By far my favorite show is the AQHA congress. I also really enjoy the Arizona Sun Circuit for its prizes and organization.
What is your favorite event to show in? Trail has always sparked my interest in training and showing.
What is your favorite class to watch? Once again, trail. At a high level the horses and the exhibitors have to think and be very attentive. I enjoy a horse with a lot of try and to watch an exhibitor who has clearly done their homework.
Who is your all-time favorite horse? And why? There is a long list.....I have had the opportunity to work with, show, and be around several of the greats. Radical McCue however defined my character. He made me tough, he helped me define my perseverance and he gained my respect. Beyond the Reserve world champion, Reserve congress champions and honor roll titles we achieved, I have watched him continue his show career with multiple other youth exhibitors. He has shown them many wins and many firsts....all around youth in the nation, first congress placings, first youth world qualifiers....and at 19 he is still doing it.
If you are not at a horse show, what would we find you doing? All sorts of horse things regardless!
If you were not a horse trainer…what would you be? Honestly, I never had another plan. From about age 9 with my pony Ringo Starr, I knew horse training and coaching is what I wanted to do.
Favorite food? Ice cream
Favorite restaurant? Cattlemen's, Oklahoma City
Favorite fun class at a horse show? Anything with a Calcutta! Or wine, I love a good wine race.
Favorite movie? Man from Snowy River
What is your dream vacation? Going to Australia to check out the area they filmed Man from Snowy River and see the outback!
Tell us something most people don’t know about you? I was a very competitive runner in high school. My sophomore year I broke my high school’s mile record and qualified for the Indiana state meet with a 5:25. I proceeded to show my horse at the Indy Circuit show in the morning, run at the track meet in the afternoon, then go back and show again in the evening.
Also....At OSU, in 2011, I rode Bullet at football games.
One piece of advice you would like to share with exhibitors who are just getting started? Trust your support system/ground people/trainer/judges opinion. They only want to see you succeed. Allow them to set you up for success, because it is a process. You need to believe in the process.
If you would like to learn more about Margaux Tucker…please visit her website at:
