THE MARTINOTTI STORY
In 2016, Francesco Martinotti left everything behind in Italy to chase a dream: to become one of the top open riders in the NRHA.
With no guarantees and nothing but determination, he sold all he had and moved to the United States, starting from scratch as an assistant trainer for McCutcheon Reining Horses. For two years, Francesco honed his craft under the guidance of legends like Tom McCutcheon, Duane Latimer, and Tim McQuay. He quickly made a name for himself as a rising talent in the show pen, earning respect for both his work ethic and his feel for a horse.
By 2017, he took a leap of faith—launching his own training business and purchasing the land that would one day become the home of Martinotti Performance Horses. What began as a bare patch of dirt has since grown into a premier facility built by Francesco’s own hands, one fence post and barn board at a time.
In the years that followed,
Francesco’s program gained momentum.
His work with Smoking Trash, a resident stallion of Foals R Us, earned him his first spot at the NRHA Run for a Million in 2021. He went on to qualify two more times—making him the only trainer with under $1 million in lifetime earnings to qualify for this prestigious event three consecutive years. With over $300,000 in earnings and multiple Level 4 Open finals to his name, Francesco has proven himself as a horseman who brings both passion and persistence to everything he does. But perhaps his greatest achievement lies beyond the arena—building a life with his wife and raising two children who inspire him to keep striving, evolving, and leading by example.