The Cosenza Reining Team
Abby and Marc met at the AQHA youth finals in 1977. Marc was showing and Abby was in her first year of college at the University of Findlay in Ohio. Since Marc is an Arizona native, the choice was made in 1983 to start their business in the valley. In the beginning their training primarily focused on all-around horses as the horse business was not as specialized as it is today. They had good success with the all around horses, even riding in the Cutting events. Later, as reining gained in popularity, Abby and Marc began to focus on the sport in their training program. However, they still train horses focusing on all around skills since it helps build a solid foundation for any discipline. They’re not just about reining.
As Abby and Marc meet new riders and new friends, Abby continues to say: “Our life has been fun!” – Abby Cosenza
Marc Cosenza – Marc began riding at a very early age, so one can say, horsemanship has always been a part of his life. He was a World Champion and Reserve World Champion as a youth and has shown horses since he was 10 yrs old in almost every discipline and any event he could enter. While Marc would ride in nearly any event, he enjoyed Roping, Cow Horse, and Stock Horse (today’s Reining) the most. Early on, he worked for Yale Siminoff confirming that he would make his horsemanship lifestyle a career. Marc has had his AQHA judges card for 22 years but primarily judges at NRHA events.
Abby Cosenza – Abby’s entry into the horse world was not much different. She had horses growing up and was riding by the time she was 11. Deciding that she wanted to pursue a career in an area that was so engrained in her lifestyle, she went on to graduate from the first Equine Program at Findlay. During the summer and breaks from college Abby worked for Dale Wilkinson until she graduated with a BS in Equine Science & Art. After graduation she worked on a ranch in Oklahoma for John Mullholland for 3 years. She has held her judges card for 20 years with the AQHA & NRHA and recently acquired an APHA card.
Assistant Trainers
Alicia Bolock – Alicia started with Marc and Abby as a student. As she continued to ride and show with Cosenza Reining, it became apparent that Alicia would become more than just a student. She began by warming up clients’ horses around the barn on off days and in preparation for training. Warm ups led to disciplining horses and those skills translated into training. Not only does Alicia train her own horse and assists with training clients’ horses – she also shows her own and clients’ horses.