About Jason Vanlandingham

Jason Vanlandingham got his start training horses as a young child, when he and his brother, Chad, had a business training ponies to sell for Christmas presents. Jason was also a successful athlete in high school, playing football, baseball, and basketball. The work ethic and competitive drive he developed in his youth helped set Jason up for a future career as one of NRHA’s elite trainers. One of Jason’s first big championships came at the when he won the 2008 NRHA Level 3 Open Derby Co-Championship with Gallos Stylish Star. In 2009, he rode Whizin Off Sparks to claim the NRHA Level 3 Open Derby Championship. Jason won the 2011 NRHA Futurity Level 3 Open with A Smokin Whiz, after an exciting run-off. That win helped Jason catch the attention of Vaughn Zimmerman and his son, Justin. The partnership between the Zimmermans and Jason started with Wimpys High Bid, who was Top 5 in the 2011 NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity. The Zimmerman and Vanlandingham success continued with a sorrel colt named Not Ruf At All. Jason and Not Ruf At All won both the Hollywoodstinseltown Level 4 Open Futurity and the High Roller Reining Classic Level 4 Open Futurity, making them the favorites for the 2013 NRHA Futurity. They didn’t disappoint, as Not Ruf At All helped Jason win his first NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity and push Jason over the coveted NRHA Million Dollar Rider mark. Their winning ways continued, securing the NRHA Triple Crown thanks to wins at the 2014 NRHA Level 4 Open Derby and the 2016 NRBC Level 4 Open. Jason won his second NRHA Level 4 Open Futurity aboard A Vintage Smoke in 2018, who later went on to win Jason’s second Triple Crown Championship with wins at the 2019 NRBC and 2020 NRHA Derby. Jason and A Vintage Smoke continues their success with the 2021 NRBC Co-Championship and 2021 The Run For A Million 3rd Place. With earnings now over $2 million, Jason lives in Whitesboro with his wife, Adrienne, and their children.