A Family That Cuts Together Grows Together
In the Martin family, cutting horses aren’t just a profession—they’re a way of life. From early mornings in the barn to long weeks spent traveling the country to horse shows, the rhythm of life has always revolved around horses, hard work, and shared purpose. While the Martins are deeply rooted in the cutting horse industry, one thing has never changed: family always comes first.
That foundation has guided the program for generations and continues to shape everything we do today.
Where It All Began
The Martin family’s roots in the cutting pen run deep. Sonny Martin followed in the footsteps of his father, Larry Martin, whose own cutting career included multiple appearances at the NCHA World Finals. Beyond the show pen, Larry’s influence reached even further. As a preacher, he instilled faith, discipline, and integrity—values that would shape both the family and the program from the very beginning.
Growing up in a home grounded in faith and the western way of life, Sonny learned early that true success isn’t measured solely by wins, but by how you work, how you treat people, and the consistency of your character. Those lessons became the foundation of Sonny Martin Cutting Horses.
Building the Program
Sonny began his own training career as a young adult, driven by a deep respect for the horse and a desire to build a program rooted in honesty and hard work. Alongside his wife, Andrea, he created an operation that values doing things the right way—no shortcuts, no empty promises.
Andrea has been a steady presence throughout the journey, supporting the business, the horses, and the family. She has also returned to the show pen herself, continuing to be an active part of the program. Together, Sonny and Andrea raised their children in the barn, teaching them responsibility, work ethic, and respect for both animals and people.
Training Side by Side
Today, Sonny & Andrea's children— son, Levi, and twin daughters Emma and Anna—are all in their 20s and play an active role in the operation. Just like their father did at the same age, they are now training and showing horses, contributing daily to the success of the program.
Each of them grew up in the cutting pen, competing from a young age and gaining experience at the youth, amateur, and national levels. That early exposure laid the groundwork for the horsemen and horsewomen they are today. With decades of combined experience as a family, the Martins work as a true team—training horses, helping clients, and supporting one another every step of the way.
Despite individual accomplishments, the family believes the greatest success happens when everyone is pulling in the same direction.
Faith, Values & the Western Way
Faith has always been central to the Martin family. Sonny credits his father’s example—living out his faith daily—for shaping his own approach to life and horsemanship. That faith continues to guide the program today, especially in moments that demand patience, humility, and trust.
Cutting horses has allowed the Martins to see life beyond their small-town roots while remaining grounded in values that matter. The cutting horse community reflects much of what the family believes in—hard work, accountability, and respect. Those values extend beyond the show pen and into every horse they train and every relationship they build.
A True Family Operation
Sonny Martin Cutting Horses is a multi-generational, family-run operation. From training and showing to daily care and support, everyone plays a role—including Sonny’s mother, who still shows up to help care for the horses and spend time with her grandkids at the barn.
That presence across generations is a constant reminder of what this program stands for: tradition, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to the western way of life.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
With the next generation now fully involved, the Martin family continues to build on a legacy that started decades ago. While the industry continues to evolve, their approach remains unchanged—put the horse first, treat people right, and let honesty and hard work speak louder than words.
For the Martins, cutting horses isn’t just about competition. It’s about family, faith, and passing down a way of life they’re proud to stand behind.
