09/20/2025
DAY IN HISTORY | ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง
Written by NRCHA
When NRCHA Hall of Fame horseman and two-time Snaffle Bit Futurity Champion Doug Williamson banked $50,000 for his 2012 Snaffle Bit Futurity Open fourth-place finish on Belle Meade Ranchโs High Brow Shiner (Shining Lil Nic x High Brow Meow), he became the ninth NRCHA Million Dollar Rider! Williamson also is the oldest Million Dollar Rider, although anyone who watches his gritty performances in the show pen would find it difficult to believe the Bakersfield, Calif., professional was 70 years old when he passed the $1 Million milestone. He routinely appears in the finals at every major NRCHA event, and only seems to become more successful with each passing year. Besides placing fourth in the 2012 Futurity, Williamson also won the Open Bridle Championship aboard Gardiner Quarter Horsesโ stallion, Hes Wright On (Lenas Wright On x Shesa Lota Nic).
Over Williamsonโs five-decade career, he has amassed a lengthy list of accolades. In 1992, he won his first Snaffle Bit Futurity Championship aboard Mr San Olen (Peppy San Badger x San O Lenita), and then, a decade later, won the 2002 Futurity title on a Mr San Olen foal, Doc At Night (Mr San Olen x Docs Hickory Nut x Docโs Hickory). Williamson is a perennial finalist at the NRCHAโs most prestigious limited age events. He won the 2007 NRCHA Derby Championship on Docs Soula (Soula Jule Star x Docs Hickory Nut), owned by D & S Quarter Horses, and then claimed consecutive NRCHA Hackamore Classic Championships in 2009 and 2010 on the same horse, Smart Miss Merada (Leo Merada x Uno Smart Lady), a mare he owned with his wife, Carol.
Williamson also is well known for his prowess in all-around bridle horse competition. In 2010, he was the Reserve Worldโs Greatest Horseman on Hes Wright on, and he also piloted the stallion to a pair of Reserve Championships in the Worldโs Richest Stock Horse in 2010 and 2012.
The Idaho native survived a terminal cancer diagnosis in 1987, and has said the experience permanently improved his outlook on life. Itโs easy to believe, watching his irrepressible grin and the verve that he brings to every run in the show pen.
