Nancy Cahill

“I am not sure that when Nancy started training horses in the 10th grade that she knew exactly where this path would lead her,” says Michelle Tidwell, 2021 Professional Horsewoman of the Year and AQHA Professional Horseman Council chairwoman. “AQHA is glad she took the path she has, because Nancy has put her heart and soul into the American Quarter Horse! She has touched the lives of so many people and horses.”

Nancy began training horses in her youth, put herself through college by riding horses for others and has trained and shown multiple AQHA world and All American Quarter Horse Congress champions.

In 1979, she and husband Bubba established Cahill Quarter Horses in Madisonville, Texas, where she emphasizes trail, western riding, reining and ranch riding, and the couple raised their children Quincy and Cannon.

Also putting in countless hours of time and effort out of the saddle, Nancy has served on the AQHA board of directors; youth, halter and performance committees; and Foundation Scholarship Committee. A founding member of the Texas Quarter Horse Association and TQHA honorary vice president, Nancy also served as vice president of the TQHA Foundation, which focuses on youth scholarships.

Nancy has been a leading voice for youth, showing, ranching and racing in both AQHA and TQHA. She joined the AQHA Professional Horsemen’s Association at its inception in 1995 and in 1996 was selected by her peers as the Professional Horsewoman of the Year. Known for her devotion, honesty and integrity to both the horse and her students, Nancy has mentored and developed youths to National Collegiate Equestrian Association careers and has poured countless hours of her time into coaching Team USA for the American Quarter Horse Youth World Cup.

A member of the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission and Ride the Pattern clinician, Nancy was honored as the AQHA Most Valuable Professional in 2015 and with the Merle Wood Humanitarian Award in 2021. Along with Hall of Fame members Carol Rose and Georga Sutton and fellow 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Robin Merrill, Nancy was in the inaugural class of AQHA Wrangler Women of Influence in 2023.

Nancy was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in 2025.

Biography updated as of September 2025.