Mark Lavender

     Mark Lavender learned early the importance of setting high expectations and seeking out those who knew the most about success. Mark grew up in Pilot Rock, Oregon, where he competed in football, basketball, and track throughout his youth. His father was a high school athletic director and vice president of Northwest Basketball Camp.

     "I spent most of my summers at camp, from age nine until high school graduation," said Mark. "I met a lot of successfull athletes and inspirational speakers during that time. Their actions and words impacted my young mind and instilled in me a desire to be the best I can be." Throughout Mark's youth the recurring themes were hard work, courage, and determination.  His father taught him  "courage to fail means courage to succeed."

 

"No guts, no glory," said Mark. "Too many people never accomplish their dreams because of their fear of failure."

 

     Lavender's experience around horses didn't begin until he befriended a new kid at his school.  The boy's family had a cattle ranch outside of town and in short time the two boys became best friends.  When he wasn't at a team practice or a game, he was at his friend's ranch.  He loved everything about ranch life and the cowboy way.

     After graduating from high school, Mark's competitive drive remained. Attending Walla Walla Community College initially on a basketball scholarship, he ended up competing for the college rodeo team. Although he didn't know at the time, the decision to live at Ken Fraiser's place while away from home and attending college proved a wise career move.  "I was first introduced to cutting horses at Ken's place," said Mark. "When the rodeo scene was looking like a dead end, Ken advised me, "if you want to ride cutting horses, then you need to go to Texas."

     At 22, Mark moved to Texas. Remembering what he learned from his father's camps, he sought out the best in cutting.  A short stint with Greg Welch led him to Buster Welch.  "Thanks to the help of Russell Westfall, I landed in Mulberry Canyon," said Mark. "Buster is an amazing person and a great mentor.  He named me "Blue" from the start and it stuck."  

     Taking what he learned from Buster, Mark landed his first training job working for Jack and Kevin Arnold in Kermit, Texas. Mark then went to work for Reidy Land and Cattle Company in Anderson, Texas. He learned important life lessons at both jobs and walked away with life-long friendships.

     According to Mark, the turning point of his training career occurred at Reidy's ranch. While the ranch's superb horses and facilities moved Mark up a notch, it was Tom and Leanna's spiritual faith and commitment to family that affected him the most.  Mark and Donna were married in December 1989, soon after he showed in his first NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth. In 2003, Mark and Donna moved out on their own to their current place in Brenham, Texas, They have a daughter, Lyssa and son, Levi.

     In 2011 Mark was inducted into the NCHA Riders Hall of Fame. The horses that carried Mark to the NCHA Hall of Fame have been many, but four stand out as most memorable. The first "really good one" was So Neat Alena who won the 1991 NCHA Challenge. Mark credits Shortys Crown for taking him to a higher level of competition when they teamed to win the Texas Futurity and Music City Futurity. During the 2006-2007 show seasons, Mark hauled MK Little Miss Trona to 10 finals. He says of the mare, "she would simply outlast them all in the show pen."  Riding MK Cats Playgirl, Mark finished 7th in the 2005 NCHA Futurity, earning his biggest single purse.     

     His goal has always been to be competitive in Fort Worth. The Hall of Fame verifies that he had reached a goal and a level of competition not many riders achieve. However, he's quick to acknowledge the mentors, horses, and owners that have made his success possible.

 

"I have spent my whole life competing, whether it be sports or cutting, driven to succeed. I have always felt deep down that I was going to ride great horses and this business is all about the horse. I have had successful seasons and some not so, but by reaching this milestone I can say I have accomplished a goal."