About Shadow Run

Nancy Becker has been involved in every aspect of the equine industry.  She has been an owner, breeder, trainer and instructor for over 35 years. 

She has been a member of the United States Equestrian Federation for 30 years.  As well as a licensed judge with a large “R” in eight divisions.  She has been a member of the United Professional Horseman’s Association Equitation/Challenge Cup Committee since 1981 and national chairperson for four of those membership years. 

She has trained many world champion horses and instructed numerous world and national champion equitation riders. 

In 1995, she was selected to judge the equestrian division for the Special Olympics World Games with competitors from 38 countries. 

In 1998, she was asked to coach the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Team, and they proudly brought the gold medal home to the United States. 

In 2000, Nancy accepted the position of executive director of the U.S. Saddle Seat World Cup Organization which she chaired until 2005. 

In 2007, Nancy accepted the position of president of the international equestrian organization known as ISSEA or the International Saddle Seat Equitation Association. 

Due to her involvement in the equestrian world on an international level, while attending the Saddlebred Ball, on February 19, 2005, Nancy was named the 2004 recipient of the Gordon Jenkins International Service Award. 

Her greatest honor to date was just recently bestowed upon her at the 2007 United Professional Horseman’s Convention where she received the Helen K. Crabtree Instructor of the Year Award. 

Bill Becker was born in 1938 in Charlotte NC He is a second-generation horseman, and the oldest of four sons of Ed and Rose Becker. Bill's Father was a cowboy in Colorado and had a relationship selling several wild horses to a fellow horseman in Charlotte, NC. Ed, loved the Carolinas so much, that after a few trips there he sent for his lovely wife and they decided that was the place they wanted to raise their family.

One day Ed Becker decided to attend his first horse show. He saw a Saddlebred horse; fell in love, starting training our wonderful breed and of course from that day forward, Bill could be found every day at the barn right by his Dad’s side.

At the early age of nine years old, under his Father’s guidance, Bill gaited his first pony. She was sired by King Of The South and out of an Arabian mare. Her name was Queen Of The South. As a teenager Bill trained and won World Championships with The Untouchable, Midnight Parader, and The Sorceress (Dam of Status Symbol).

Just after Bill graduated from High School he became the Assistant Trainer for the great horseman, Jimmy Thompson and was there until his untimely death. Shortly after that Bill had the privilege to work with the master horseman the late great Garland Bradshaw. This is where Bill says he received his "college education in the horse business."

The next eleven years were spent at Spring Valley Farms, owned by Betty and Jim Perry. Bill put together one of the most prestigious bands of broodmares and a string of World and National Champion show horses and ponies. To name a few: "Havana Hijack, The Benefactor, Terra Cotta, Belle Destiny, Jolly Jerry, and Knight's Glory, Beau James, Beautiful Betty, Ed Becker, Jubilee's Beauty, and Just A Sensation." He also bred, raised, trained and sold the World's Grand Champion 5 Gaited horse "Surefire" and the World's Grand Champion 3 Gaited horse "Gift Of Love." These two horses, bred by the
Perry’s made history by both winning the Three Gaited and Five Gaited Stakes in Freedom Hall on the same Saturday night. This has never happened before or since!

In more recent years Bill has been responsible for the careers of such noted World Grand Champions such as 10 Times World Champion CH The Bodega Bay, 5 Times World Champion Heart To Heart, CH A Rich Girl, CH Heir To A Star, Shadow Run, Capricious Capers, CH Wind Capers, Corinne Corrina, Chablis Premier, Society Knight, Nakomis, Elegant Sky, Starlike Sultan, El Milagro's Sir Richard, Holiday's Candyman, Special Steel, Sprit Stuff, Reserve World Champion She’s In Style and Reserve World Champion Much More Radiant. 

Bill Becker has trained over 100 World and National Champion Saddle Horses, Road Horses and Ponies. He is the complete horseman! He is one of the founding members of the United Professional Horseman's Association,
the 1996 American Road Horse and Pony Association Hall Of Fame Inductee, and The 2004 Carolina's Horseman's Hall of Fame Inductee.

In February of 2007 at the Saddlebred Ball Bill was honored to be presented with the C J Cronan Sportsmanship Award.

Bill is a Large "R" Recognized USEF Judge and has had this status for over 48 years. He has been a clinician as well as judged on a National and International Level.

He is a member of the American Saddlebred Board of Directors, American Saddlebred Horse Association, United Professional Horseman's Association, United States Equestrian Federation Board Member, and American Road Horse and Pony Committee Member.