Elans Chic Elain

From Shawn Flarida, OH
“I’ve rode 150, 3 year olds in 2010. My brother has rode 100 and that mare (Elans Chic Elaine) was 25-40% better than anything we’ve been on. She was special.” - Shawn Flarida, NRHA’s only $4 Million Dollar Rider
(Pictured at right: Elans Chic Elaine, trained by Matt McDowell and out of Ladys Ultra Chic, also owned by Matt and Amber McDowell.)

From Nancy Brugato, OR
Matt McDowell, his wife Amber and three children Maddie, Mason, and Gunnar are what makes All Star Performance Horses a winning business with character. Matt's thoughts, beliefs, words,actions, habits, and character are what drew me to him and have kept me and many other clients as well. I personally saw him take someone with zero confidence for showing to going into the pen for the first time and winning a buckle. His support from the moment we arrived at the show to the moment we packed up and left was 100%. There were highs and lows but his attitude for his clients and horses never wavered. As a non pro, having ridden with a few other very good trainers, Matt in my book, is the "golden ticket". As I am still making my way up in the reining world, I never felt like I was insignificant or didn't matter but rather like a rock star. Drawing on his fatherhood, his patience and success with the youth are beyond words. He really is the real deal. It's only a matter of time and the "it" horse before we see him right up there with Fapanni and Flarida.
It is rewarding to watch him show his young and finished horses and hear people in the stands say "wow, he's done a nice job on that horse...."etc.
Matt's character because of his beliefs, words, actions, has become a habit in his business. He is not driven by the money but rather doing a good job for his clients. If they are happy and doing well, he is happy and doing well. His motivation IS his character. He is an honest man.
I live 40 minutes away from 2-3 very well known reining trainers however I drive 6 hours to ride with Matt.
Thank you Matt and family for making the road of the non pro an enjoyable one!

From Joanne Pettit, WA
"As a non pro reiner for 20 years, I have worked with many local and nationally known trainers and clinicians. I purchased Not Just a Pistol, also known as Bentley, from Matt in 2008 as a 3 year old. Bentley was everything that Matt represented him to be. We did well in NRHA competition in his 3 and 4 year old years, but I knew that Bentley had the potential to be better. When Matt became a professional trainer in 2010, I put Bentley in training with him. Matt improved all areas of Bentleys performance – softness, circles, turns and most of all stops. Under Matt’s coaching we scored a career high of 73.5, were consistently in the money earning over $1,000 in 2010, and won the RHANW Junior Horse Year End Buckle. Matt is currently training a another Derby Horse and we are looking forward to a fun and successful year showing Bentley and Max. Matt is always honest in his assessment of a horses talents, keeps me updated on their progress, takes excellent care of the horses, works extremely hard and is an exceptional coach and trainer."

From Susan Lathrom, OR
"I have been learning the "Art of Reining" from trainer's in NRHA's top twenty every chance I can get. Trainer's like Andrea Fappani, Shawn Flarida, Todd Bergen, Tom McCutcheon and Tanya Jenkins. I have read and watched many hours of video's to gain the knowledge I need to ride the finished reiner of my dreams that I bought almost two year's ago. I have gained enough knowledge to recognize a "Great" trainer, a "Good" trainer and a "Wanna" be trainer. I have become very selective on who I use to help me become the "Best Rider" I can be. The person I have found lives only 7 hours away. That person is Matt McDowell at All Star Performance Horses. He is right up there with the Top Rider's I have ridden with. I feel fortunate to have him as my "Coach" and "Trainer".

The McDowell's are a breath of fresh air with their honesty and high standards they set in their program. "Thank You" Matt and Amber. Good things are worth waiting for and I look forward to many years of fun, friendship and time in the winner's circle with you both."

Susan Lathrom-Krieg
Cowgirl N Paris

From Carol and Brian Hummel, KY
"Brian rode Ruf this morning. A good time was had by all. Mike Harper (our trainer) says "the only thing wrong with this horse is that he's not mine." We hope someday to be able to meet you in person. Best of luck to you both with your pursuits in the wonderful sport of reining and thanks for making such a fine gelding available to fulfill a middle aged man's dreams in 2010. Make sure you put our name in your category of happy, satisfied customers.
Take care, Carol and Brian Hummel"

From Chris and Windy Mathews, CA
We bought RS Lets Play Please from you (2007 mare) "power pac" I think you called her. Just wanted to let you know that "Hershey" as we call her, went to her first show two weeks ago...The NSHA futurity here in CA and placed 8th in the open out of over 100 horses! She marked a 217.5 down the fence which was one of the highest scores marked in the open. Sandy Collier is training/showing her and loves her! She is entered in the NRCHA Futurity in the open as well. We love her to death and are excited to see how she does in Reno!

Thanks, Chris and Windy Mathews

From Cindy Woodley, OR
Matt and Amber:
We just wanted to let you know just how pleased we are with Smartest Shiner Yet! Matt did such a fantastic job training him as a two year old and he has proven to be such a find. “Bling” (his nickname thanks to Amber) has consistently placed in the top of his open classes in the show pen with Shawn Church. With his beauty and grace, this stallion is definitely in a league of his own! We certainly look forward to what the future may hold.
Hope to see the both of you and the kids soon!
Take care,
Todd, Cindy, Michael, and Meg Woodley
Woodley Ranch

From Jane and Norm Dennic, BC
"I have long admired the consistency Matt and Amber have displayed in the show pen. This past summer we agreed to sell them a 2 year old and both parties were crushed when the horse failed the pre-purchase vet exam. This experience gave us the opportunity to know them better and observe their training program and take lessons. Matt has an excellent ability to do indepth training while creating a minimum amount of stress to the horse. Matt is a very positive coach and pushs his non pros to excel, the same approach he and Amber have and
this greatly appeals to me. Their capacity for work is amazing as is their teamwork. We're proud to be a client. Jane and Norm Dennis"

From Carla Penley, WA
"Hi Matt and Amber, just wanted to tell you my sister and I are thrilled with our horses we bought from you! We are having a great time chasing cows. I won the amateur class and got a nice payout at the last sorting we went to. "Skip" has turned out to be an anybody can ride horse. You did a great job with him, he's got that solid foundation that has enabled me to go on and cut a cow or trail ride. I just wish we lived a little closer so we could ride with you ! We look forward to seeing your next prospects, and your next big win. When I get ready for my next cowhorse I'll be calling you. I hope you and the kids are doing well, maybe we'll see you in May. Thanks so much!"

Sincerely,
Carla Penley

From Terri Hunter, WA
Matt and Amber chose my 2009 Gunner/Dun it filly at the NRHA Marketplace sale and she is now in training with Matt and looking to be very promising. They have a program for buying horses as well as training that is supported by Matt's work ethic and Amber's bloodline knowledge.

From Laurie Dufton, BC
"I met Magnum in late spring in Walla Walla. There stood a small fat yellow horse with three inches of winter hair tied to the trailer. ( I thought he looked like a Thelwell Pony) I had been looking for months and think I had tried every horse between Vancouver BC and Calgary. When we tried him we just got on and he did his job. It was so nice just to get on and have a nice ride without lots of drama before I ever got on. Matt told me he would do anything I wanted him to do as I just had to ask him and he was right. In the few months I have had him we have worked cows both real and mechanical and it was no problem he just had look and away we went. I have taken him to our big show and he did everything I asked and more. We did not place in my classes do to my errors on my runs but he did what I asked him to. He did run downs and never went any faster then I was asking and just waited for me to tell him. He is so patient with me and is a great "baby sitter” I did buy a horse from one of our trainers up here before Magnum but he was way too much horse for me and he should have never been sold to me. I would recommend Matt and Amber to anyone who is buying a horse. If I were ever looking again they would be my first and hopefully my last stop. We are off tomorrow to do some trail riding at our local park and just to relax a bit. My friend who has no feeling in one leg is going to ride him in our “Breast Cancer” fund raiser class.. She will just walk and trot but he is so safe and we know he will always stop. We are also going to show him in Horsemanship at the next quarterhorse show here. I have a list of people who would have asked to be notified if I ever want to sell him. . He is such as easy keeper and wants to be outside. He has an acre run up a hill by himself with shelter and he is really happy there. He is sound and everything he was billed to be. Thanks for selling such a nice horse to me."

Laurie Dufton

From Jill Arbogast, OR
"Amber, I just wanted to let you know that we gave Oak to Chance on Sunday night. He was so thrilled! He has already been for a ride with Cody and Papa up on the hill at Papa’s. Before he would get on he told me he had to do his ground work and desensitizing. He is my newest little trainer! Thank you so much. I can tell this is just the start of Chance’s riding career."

From Sandra Linnig-Fohl, Germany
Hello Amber,
Paddie arrived last night at our home. She was very very tired after that very long trip - she had another trip after landing with the airplane at Luxemburg for 13 hours on the horsetrailer - Paddie first wanted to sleep when she arrived here. She is very pretty but a little taller than I thought she is - but that's no problem - many stallions are small... I bought a breeding by Topsail Whiz for her for this season. Paddie is the first american horse I receive who likes carottes and our food from first moment - she loves to get her ears touched ( I do not know the word for the meaning that I want to tell you...) but perhaps you understand what I mean. I will send you pictures when her foal you bred is born... Thanks for selling that nice horse at a good price.
Sandra

From Carla Penley, WA
"Hi Matt and Amber, just wanted to tell you my sister and I are thrilled with our horses we bought from you! We are having a great time chasing cows. I won the amateur class and got a nice payout at the last sorting we went to. "Skip" has turned out to be an anybody can ride horse. You did a great job with him, he's got that solid foundation that has enabled me to go on and cut a cow or trail ride. I just wish we lived a little closer so we could ride with you ! We look forward to seeing your next prospects, and your next big win. When I get ready for my next cowhorse I'll be calling you. I hope you and the kids are doing well, maybe we'll see you in May. Thanks so much!"

Sincerely,
Carla Penley

From Missy McCammond, WA
I have had two horses with All Star Performance horses, and they both came back amazing!! Matt has an incredible work ethic, and he always gives me updates on how my horses are riding. I have gone out of my way to tell other people how pleased I am with Matt's training and showing. He gets it done in the arena at home and the show arena. He has been honest and trustworthy and I am so very grateful to both Matt and Amber and their wonderful program!!"

Very Sincerely,

Missy McCammond

From Randy Fox, WA
"As the new owner of Trickynic Whiz, aka Trixie, thank you for making my dreams of owning and riding a nice reining horse come true. Hopefully in the future Trixie and I can join you in the winner's circle. The foundation training that you have started in Trixie and the other horses that I have purchased from you in the past is incredible. I have been successful in team penning and ranch sorting on a competitive level, but have also been able to go out on the trail, gather cattle and rope calves in the branding pen while feeling confident that I am well mounted. I don't have to worry about the safety of others riding any of the horses that have come through your training program. In short, Matt, Amber and kids, thank you for making my dreams of owning and riding very nice horses come true."
Randy Fox