Leonard Berryhill, Talala OK

Leonard Berryhill was born on May 29, 1957 to George and Shirley Berryhill, Tulsa OK.  Having been raised on a small farm/ranch, Leonard was surrounded by livestock his entire life and became interested in showing horses at about age 19 after attending the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Youth World Championship Horse Show in Tulsa OK.  He witnessed the large crowds and enthusiasm generated by this event.  This was the catalyst for his desire to learn to show horses.

After 2 years of college and a brief time in the banking business he determined that he wanted a different career path.  Leonard learned to shoe horses, competed at rodeos and began to show horses bred and raised by his family.

In 1980 he worked as a part of the AQHA World Championship Horse Show show staff.  In 1981 he began to devote his life to horse competitions which has lasted for over forty-four years.  1982 Berryhill won AQHA Reserve World Senior Tie Down Calf Roping and that was followed by 1983 AQHA World Champion in Junior Western Riding.

A horse training occupation has many peaks and valleys and many humorous and some sad stories.  Going through the stress of burnout, Leonard was fortunate to have Leigh Wewers walk into his life.  Berryhill contends that he was at a crossroad and did not know which path to pursue.  Leigh took him by the hand and together they forged a marriage bond for which has lasted thirty-four years.

This relationship developed into an extremely successful business.  At this time, he has almost earned 8,000 AQHA points.  He has either won or trained multiple National Snaffle Bit Association World Champions, All American Quarter Horse Congress Champions and AQHA World Champions.  He and Leigh are so grateful to the numerous owners who trusted their fabulous horses with their care and training.

There are some horses stand out, Skip N General, Mr Gold Leaguer, CBS Silver Doc, Better Than The Rest, Vital Signs A Good, and Good I Will Be.

He is 2019 Nutrena Don Burt AQHA Professional Horseman of the Year. Berryhill has served AQHA as a member of the AQHA Judges Committee, has also been involved with teaching AQHA judges for several years and has served as a judges workshop clinician for both western riding and roping. He served as an AQHA National Director since 2018, director for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association and is currently the OQHA past president. Berryhill was also honored at the 2017 Most Valuable Professional for the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association.

Berryhill has been an AQHA Professional Horseman since 1996 and AQHA judge since 1997. He has judged the Lucas Oil AQHA World Championship Show; Built Ford Tough AQHYA World Championship Show; AQHA Select World Championship Show, AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships, and All American Quarter Horse Congress.

Along with his success with horses, Leonard considers his family his most outstanding accomplishment. He and Leigh have one son Thompson Lee and their daughter in law Mandie. Thompson is a World Champion Roper. Mandie is a horse trainer and has won two Level 2 AQHA World Championships. Mandie trains alongside Leonard at Berryhill Quarter Horses which known for all-around event horses, as well as heading, heeling and tie-down roping. Berryhill approaches horses with an open mind, patience and the intent to bring out the horses’ natural talent so they can excel in their own niche.

In 2023, Thompson and Mandie had a son Larry Lee.  Leonard knows that he is blessed to live such a blessed life and thanks his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Leonard Berryhill was inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2024.