Archie Cox’s upbringing in the hunter and equitation disciplines allowed him to home in on a recurring riding theme: learning the basics. This has been a guiding principle as he set out on his career path as a rider, trainer, coach and judge.

“I learned a strong foundation in position, in accuracy, in the fundamentals of riding,” Cox said of the coaching he received as a junior rider. “Now, I really enjoy teaching that and seeing how strength in the basics allows you the opportunity to go on and do great things.” 

Cox owns and operates Brookway Incorporated at Middle Ranch in Lake View Terrace, California, with his business partner Karli Postel. His horses in training and students have collected numerous champion titles on both the East and West Coasts at the country’s most prestigious shows.

Teaching Riders the Ropes

Cox has had a talented string of students over the years. He coached U.S. show jumper Lucy Davis Kennedy, who earned team bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics at the age of 23, during her formative years as a junior hunter and equitation rider. More recently, Violet Tatum rode Jagerbomb to the 3’6” Grand Champion title at the 2025 Adequan^®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – West under Cox’s tutelage. 

When it comes to coaching students of all ages, Cox said he has a relaxed and very positive teaching style but with parameters. He expects students to follow instructions though understands they are learning as they ride and compete. 

“I will try very hard to phrase things differently if I need to. I can tell you to put your heel down a hundred times, but the one time I tell you to put your toe up, suddenly your heel is down,” Cox said. “And I think to myself, that was easy. Why didn’t I say that before? It’s learning how people learn, which is part of the enjoyment.”

Another important aspect of Cox’s coaching goes back to his guiding principle of learning the basics. He often reviews different aspects of riding, such as rein aids and the horse’s pace, during his lessons.

“Whether it’s in the hunters, jumpers or equitation, it’s about putting a series of different elements and different speeds together while making it look effortless and invisible,” Cox said. “That’s our goal.”

For his jumper students, they may practice certain lines or courses at a slower pace in lessons and then work on getting more comfortable with a faster pace and still making it look easy. He points to top U.S. show jumpers McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Laura Kraut and Kent Farrington as examples of riders who make their aids appear invisible.

To make your rides appear effortless, Cox says accuracy and position matter. While some aspects of riding may come more naturally to some people, he believes hard work pays off. 

“A great trainer once said there are three types of riders: some who are born with it, some who learn it and some who never get it,” Cox said. “But riders who put in the long hours and make an effort go the furthest because they’re the most disciplined and do it with their heart. Desire will get you the furthest.”

Letting Horses Shine 

The other half of the equation in the show ring is the horse, and Cox says his training philosophy keeps evolving with horses because he’s always learning as a horseman. He focuses on repeating skills that need improvement but rewarding horses for what they do well. 

“[Rider, trainer and judge] Peter Lombardo once said, ‘if you’re always correcting the horse, the horse never knows if he’s doing it right,’” Cox shared. “So, you should keep rewarding the horses, keep telling them they’re good and that they’re doing it correctly.”

Cox explains that you need to clearly tell a horse what you’re asking him, but over time, it will become second nature. “It becomes a habit to go straight or to bend properly,” he said. “You just keep reinforcing it, and eventually it just happens.”

Cox enjoys learning how to “unlock the magic” in horses and is quick to note that each horse is an individual who learns his own way. He believes proper training and smooth communication from the rider can lead to top results in the show ring. “I’ve always heard great horsemen say, ‘if you stay out of their way, they’re going to win,’” he said. 

After Cox’s horses and students have put in the hard work and preparation training at home, he believes the sky is the limit. He employs positive thinking and manifestation of top results in the show ring.

“I believe every one of my horses and riders can walk in the ring and win,”Cox said. “Someone’s going to win the class; it might as well be us. I’m a big believer in that.”

A Judge’s Perspective

After being in the hunter/jumper world as a competitor, coach and trainer, Cox added judge to his resume. He holds ‘R’ hunter and hunter/jumping seat equitation licenses and has judged at horse shows around the country. Watching horse-and-rider pairs showcasing their partnerships is one of the joys of Cox’s work as a judge. 

“Seeing the pride people take in their horses and the love they have for the sport, that’s what makes me the happiest,” Cox said. “As a judge, it’s awesome to watch the kids learning from the ponies and the ponies trying. And you never know if one of those little kids might be the next McLain Ward, Beezie Madden or Kent Farrington.”

As a judge, Cox notes that first impressions matter. He explains that your turnout is something you can control before you even walk into the ring. Cox also believes that entering the ring with confidence can go a long way.

“Go in to the ring like a winner, and come out like you’ve won,” Cox explained. “If you’re shaking your head as you leave the ring or look unsure, you might be giving that perception and that might affect the judge’s scoring.”

Another insider’s tip from Cox is riding the proper pace during your rounds. It makes for notable, smooth rounds that get the judge’s attention. “Go to the right speed—the speed that is comfortable for your horse. And if you need to learn about speed and pace, go watch [hunter rider, trainer and judge] John French. He has the unique ability to go the correct pace on every horse without the horses’ legs moving fast.”

Finding the Joy

Taking a look back at his career thus far, Cox wouldn’t change anything. Some advice he was given as a junior rider has stuck with and helped shape him as a horseman. “I rode in a clinic when I was 13 years old and I was told ‘pay attention,’” he said. “From that day, I paid more attention than anyone. I can tell you the wrong girth is on from 100 yards away. I pay attention. And that was the best advice I was ever given.”

In terms of what keeps him engaged and enjoying each day, it’s the horses and the sport for Cox.

“Horses give us so much and ask for so little. That keeps me involved and wanting to learn and do better,” Cox said. “There are so many horses that can be great horses if they’re allowed to be. If they fall into the right hands at the right time, then their careers can explode. It’s finding those horses and students that work well together; that’s what brings me the most joy.” 

For More:

To listen to our Practical Horseman Podcast with Archie Cox, click here.