12/22/2025
DAY IN HISTORY | ๐๐ข๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฅ, ๐๐
Written by NRCHA
The list of successful trainers and horses that have worked with Jim Paul Sr. is long and distinguished. Many of the top Non Pro and Open riders owe their accomplishments to Jimโs tutelage.
When Jim was 22, he began training for the public in Scottsdale, Arizona. In the mid 1960s, he served as President of the newly formed Arizona Reined Cow Horse Association. He was also very instrumental in starting the first Arizona Snaffle Bit Futurity in the 1970s. Jim, along with John Hoyt, managed and hauled their own cattle to different shows, so that they could have cow horse classes.
Jim was also present at the decision to form the Snaffle Bit Futurity in 1968. He served as an NRCHA Board Member from 1968 to 1971.
Jim served as the first judgeโs monitor at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity in 1983, and was actively involved with the judgeโs committee at the first judgeโs seminar in Gridley, California.
He was a Snaffle Bit Futurity judge 4 times, judged the Worldโs Greatest Horseman 3 times, and the Magnificent 7 twice. He also judged the NRCHA Derby, the Hawaii Snaffle Bit Futurity, the High Desert Snaffle Bit Futurty, the Wyoming Snaffle Bit Futurity, the Idaho Snaffle Bit Futurty, and the first All Around Stock Horse Contest.
The rider who benefited the most from Jimโs excellent teaching was his wife, Dema Paul. In fact, Dema had never made the Open Finals at the NRCHA Futurity until Jim helped train some nice horses with her in the 1980s. Dema attributes all of her success since then to Jim.
Some of the successful horses Jim trained for Dema include Missy Tucker, Tuckers Bayou, Cant Find My Sock, Missn No Chex, Shiners Dulena, Maggie Hickory, Masters Nu Fox, and Primos Bob Acre.
Jim Paul Sr. is quick to credit the many people he learned from, including Barbara Worth, Don Dodge, Harold Farren, Frank Rue, Jimmy Williams, Tony Amaral, and Ray Hackworth.
Jim possesses a great talent for handcrafted iron work, and his impeccable bits and spurs are used by many top trainers.
