Riley Performance Horses

Specializing in Pole Bending & Barrel Racing Horses.

Brannon & Kelly Riley ~ Creston, Ohio

About Us

Brannon and Kelly Riley have both been involved with horses their entire lives, so it is no wonder they met early on while showing horses. Through the years, they have helped each other and worked hard to produce top quality performance horses. They own and operate a private farm in NE Ohio where they continue training and showing their own horses. They train, buy and sell premium pole and barrel horses and prospects at their facility in Creston, Ohio.

Brannon Riley is a 4X AQHA World Champion, 5X AQHA Reserve World Champion, as well as a 8X All American Quarter Horse Congress Champion in Pole Bending, and 14X Reserve Congress Champion in either barrels or poles. He has trained almost all of his horses, and has won the AQHA World on four different horses, and continues to win with different horses. In 2021 Brannon and Mite B A Bully, aka "Ricky" captured their fourth title in the Junior Pole Bending, winning the AQHA World Show. In 2019 and 2018 Brannon and Redneck Rio were the AQHA year end High Point Amateur Pole Bending Champions, and in 2018 the Jr Horse Champion. He and Rio also captured both AAQHC Champion titles as well, and the Reserve at the World, and swept the NAILE. Similiarly in 2009, Brannon was the year end AQHA High Point Amateur Pole Bending Champion with Haley Jos Charm. That was the same year he won the Amateur Pole Bending at the Kentucky State Fair, Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHA World Show. In 2015, Brannon won the Ft. Worth Stock Show Jud Little Ranch Fast Five as well as the Timed Event Challenge in Pole Bending on Dans Flaming Venture, and in 2017 returned to reclaim the Championship again. Both then went on to the Houston Livestock Show and won the Jr. Poles the Amateur Barrels and won both Open and Amateur High Point Speed Horse. Brannon finished out 2015 with his second Championship on Speeed Ball Tucker at the AAQHC and Reserve Championship on Dans Flaming Venture in Amateur Pole Bending. Brannon was honored by the NPBA (National Pole Bending Association) as he was inducted as Exhibitor into the NPBA Hall of Fame at their National Finals Show in June of 2016. Brannon is passionate about the sport of pole bending, and dedicated toward making each horse reach their full potential. In addition, Brannon has won a class at every major pole bending show throughout the nation. Many winning prospects in barrel racing and pole bending have been started and trained by Riley Performance Horses.

Kelly (Smith) Riley has also had her fair share of success in the show arena. In 2022, she won the All American Quarter Horse Congress Amateur Select Pole Bending on Crewzer Dan, and was Reserve Champion the previous year. She was also Reserve Champion at the AAQHC in Novice Amateur Poles in 2011 on Mahogany's Undertaker. Her most recent top placing horses include Crewzer Dan, Lottery Time Bulzeye, and Lightning Sugar Dixi. Kelly has won or placed at the AQHA World Show, the Kentucky State Fair, Fort Worth Livestock Show & Rodeo AQHA show, North American International Livestock AQHA show, and been in the top ten at Congress in pole bending and barrel racing. She has won or placed at various rodeos, association and club shows, open barrel races, and at prestigious NPBA shows. In addition, she has been with Brannon through all his major wins and as helped him along the way. Together they make a balanced team with their years of experience and combination of training styles.

A Sharp Nesian "Showdown"

1997 AQHA World Champion Amateur Pole Bending - Brannon

Miss N Fantasy & Haley Jos Charm

2006 (Ally) 2009 (Cruise) AQHA World Champion Amateur Pole Bending ~ Brannon Riley

FAST FACT: Brannon held the record for the fastest time in Amateur Poles at the AQHA World Show Competition from 1997 to 2015! 18 years strong!

The time of 19.631 with A Sharp Nesian, "Showdown" in 1997 helped him secure his 1st AQHA World Championship. Click to watch the run!

Pete... our 1st son, well traveled and well known - lived to 18 years young. RIP 6..12.13
We welcomed a brindle JRT -SPARKY LEE and our son doesn't lack personality, or travel either.
Sparky Lee can be found with his parents at most shows...and likes to make many doggy friends!