This story originally appeared in the January 2026 issue of Premier.
Behind every great horse is a breeder whose dedication began long before the first step into the show pen. Breeders are the backbone of the industry—thoughtfully pairing bloodlines, nurturing young horses, and investing years of patience, knowledge, and heart into each life they help bring into the world. Their work is fueled by passion and built on vision, responsibility, and an unwavering belief in what the next generation can become. They are the stewards of quality and integrity that sustain the industry at every level. This series shines a light on the small breeders whose work lays the foundation for it all. Their influence is woven into every stride, every partnership, and every success.
Alyse Roberts has been breeding and raising her own horses since 2011, though her passion for breeding began much earlier. As a child, she watched her mother raise foals from their old show mare, which eventually became the horses Alyse and her family showed. From a young age, she was captivated by the breeding side of the industry and fascinated by the possibility of creating horses that could excel both in performance and temperament.
At sixteen, Alyse took a summer job at a thoroughbred facility near Woodbine Racetrack in Ontario, Canada. Immersed in the world of racing, breeding, and sales, she experienced a side of the horse industry vastly different from her show horse background. That summer, while helping prepare yearlings for the September sale at Woodbine, she fell in love with a colt whose movement she believed would have made him an exceptional hunter under saddle horse. Unable to purchase the colt, Alyse turned her attention to his dam, hoping to buy her and breed her to a Quarter Horse stallion. Through a combination of luck and determination, she scraped together $1,500 to purchase the mare. Just weeks later, the mare’s first foal made a splash on the track as a two-year-old, placing in his first race and finishing second in a stakes race shortly after. Offers to buy the mare poured in, and Alyse sold her for a significant profit. The mare went on to produce several more successful racehorses, while Alyse’s heart remained firmly with Quarter Horses. That experience solidified her decision to pursue the show horse industry full-time.
A pivotal moment came in 2010 at the AQHA World Championship Show. Alyse noticed a flyer for a grey mare being offered in the World Show sale. Coincidentally, her mother had just purchased a two-year-old daughter of that mare sight-unseen online. When they realized the connection, Alyse jokingly said she would buy the mare if she sold for under $2,500. To her surprise, the mare sold for $1,800 with a free breeding to Allocate Your Assets, and Alyse left the show with both Exotic And Blue and Exotic Tribal Dancer. Exotic And Blue quickly became the matriarch of Alyse’s breeding program, producing five daughters, along with several granddaughters and great-granddaughters who continue to shape her breeding legacy.
What began as raising one foal per year evolved into a boutique program focused on producing top-quality hunter under saddle horses. Over the years, Alyse has successfully intertwined her breeding and training operations, selling offspring to clients and developing them into competitive show horses. Today, she owns nine broodmares, a couple of recipient mares, and a Thoroughbred mare she owns in partnership in Kentucky, raising six to ten foals annually. Horses such as Helloo Gorgeous (Allocate Your Assets x Exotic Tribal Dancer) and Maximum Quarantime (All Time Fancy x Exotic Tribal Dancer) have left a lasting impression—not only on Alyse, but also on the families who have enjoyed them—serving as a constant reminder of why she loves the breeding industry. Another highlight of her career is Blue Kahlua (Chocolua x Exotic And Blue), whom Alyse bred and sold to Nancy Gulick. Started by Alyse and later under the guidance of Chuck Briggs, “Rocky” went on to become a back-to-back AQHA Superhorse winner, a Congress Champion, and a multiple Reserve World Champion. He exemplifies the type of horse Alyse strives to produce: versatile, sound, and capable of making dreams come true for riders of all ages and skill levels.
Alyse’s approach to breeding combines passion with pragmatism. She places strong emphasis on mare selection, quality of movement, correct conformation, temperament, and bloodlines. She is particularly fond of the Skys Blue Boy bloodlines, noting that all six of the mares she has owned who trace back to him have been exceptional movers and producers. Her philosophy centers on intentionality, consistency, and patience, recognizing that even the best-planned breeding can yield surprises. The unpredictability of breeding is one aspect that continues to both inspire and challenge her—some foals have exceeded every expectation, while others have taught hard lessons about patience, realism, and responsibility. Setbacks such as health concerns, developmental issues, or market changes can be both emotionally and financially challenging, reinforcing the importance of thoughtful management and making decisions with the horse’s long-term welfare in mind.
Alyse believes strongly in giving horses time to mature both mentally and physically. She supports placing greater emphasis on classes and purses for older horses—3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, and up—which she believes contributes to longevity and soundness. Since she began breeding, she has observed a positive shift in the industry towards showing fewer two-year-olds, allowing young horses more time to develop and reach their full potential. Over the past 10-15 years, Alyse has seen the overall quality of horses dramatically improve across disciplines—from reiners and cow horses to racehorses and hunter under saddle horses—and believes breeders are continuously striving to produce a better product.
For Alyse, success as a breeder is about more than quick results—it’s about producing sound, trainable horses capable of long, distinguished careers. She emphasizes the importance of staying open to new ideas, surrounding yourself with knowledgeable professionals, and being honest about each horse. These principles have helped her build a program that has earned respect and trust. Her advice to other breeders is to start slow, avoid overbreeding, study pedigrees, be realistic about your mare’s strengths and weaknesses, and wait for the right stallion and timing. Seek guidance when needed, stay humble, and remember that your reputation matters just as much as your results. If you consistently produce honest, sound horses, and stand behind them, success will follow.
For Alyse, the greatest fulfillment as a breeder comes not from accolades alone, but from watching foals grow into confident, willing partners, and seeing them thrive—whether in training, in the show ring, or as beloved companions. She also finds deep satisfaction in the relationships built along the way with owners, trainers, and fellow breeders, and in knowing her program operates with integrity, respect and responsibility toward the horse.
Alyse operates her training and breeding business out of Purcell, Oklahoma, specializing in the development of hunter under saddle horses. She serves on the NSBA Foundation board, is an AQHA and APHA Professional Horseman, and has earned the distinction of being a member of the NSBA Quarter Million Dollar Club—a testament to her consistent success and dedication to the sport. Looking ahead, Alyse plans to continue growing her breeding program with a focus on quality, soundness, and longevity, producing horses that are not only competitive in the show ring but also dependable, enjoyable partners for their riders and owners. Her goal is to raise horses that help shape the future of the hunter under saddle industry, leaving a lasting legacy of excellence.
