MDPH
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Our History
"A promising future is often the result of an accomplished past."
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Est. 1982

About MDPH

PictureMichael & Dawn Damianos
After graduating from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Michael Damianos knew he wanted to train horses and judge horse shows.  Michael Damianos Performance Horses was established in December of 1982 and the story began.  Originally focusing on American Quarter horses, MDPH has evolved into a boutique Arabian horse training business, specializing in training Arabian and Half Arabian horses in all western disciplines, sport horses, showmanship, equitation and hunter pleasure.  American Quarter Horses are still welcome and are a large part of our legacy.  Michael also coaches amateur riders in the same events.  Since 1991, Starbuck's Ojai Valley Ranch has been the home of Michael Damianos Performance Horses.
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​Michael has judged many prestigious shows throughout the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, Australia, and Japan.  His trail, reining and showmanship clinics have been enjoyed by scores of amateur and professional  horsemen.  Michael has also been a pioneer in modern trail course design.  He is a past recipient of the APAHA Working Western Trainer of the Year Award (twice) and the USEF Barbara Worth Equestrian of Honor award.

Michael is married to Dawn Damianos, an 
elementary school principal.   They have two daughters, Shelbee   and Zoe.

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The Damianos Girls

MDPH Today
HOUSE OF STOP

Specializing in Arabian and Half Arabian Training, Instruction  & Sales 
“Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?” - Robert Browning
Magnums Shogun+// The ONLY 4 time US National Champion Western Trail Horse.
English Trail
Pardonn My French+// in halter at US Nationals.
US National Champion Trail Futurity
2016 Region One Ranch Riding Champion - Del Mar, CA
AQHA Thats Some Hickory at NRHA show. Owned by Karen Wylde
Reining
Khalifornia Dreamn LD Western Pleasure Junior Horse
MFA Maverick+// Western Trail
RSA Exxploitation+// National Champion English Trail Horse
Pardonn My French+// owned by Muna Busailah
Angel On Fire owned by Joanne Crockett
Reining in Del Mar
Hannah Finch and Khalifornia Dreamn LD
Reserve National Champion English Trail
US National Champion Yellowstoan+// owned by Judy North
Double Reserve National Champion The Midnight Special
Region III Trail Futurity Champion
Half Arabian Western Plesure
Trail Stake - Reno
Hunter Pleasure
Running Circles
Region One Champion
Regional Reining Champion
Winning never gets old!
Western Pleasure AOTR RSA Exxploitation +//
Ranch Riding ATR
Carlos Acevez & Tes Wolf - Happy Owners
MJD Corona De Oro+//
Scottsdale Champion HA English Trail - Yellowstoan+//
National Champion HA Trail
National Champion HA Trail AAOTR
Reining Futurity Champion - Choak N Throttle
Champion Reining Junior Horse
Scottsdale Champion TR Despret For Achic+///
Amateur Reining
National Top Ten Reining Futurity
Magnums Shogun+// Champion Western Pleasure
Introducing the next generation to trail.
Western Pleasure Champion, Pardonn My French++// owned by Muna Busailah
Western Pleasure Junior Horse
APAHA Working Western Trainer of the Year, 2014 & 2015
Western Trail
Wyatt Earp+// US Nationals
Thats Some Hickory at The Hollywood Charity Reining
Ranch Riding, Del Mar
Champion Amateur Trail Region One Championships
Half Arabian Reining
Winning - Region One Del Mar
NRHA Reining
Performance Halter
Western Trail
Arabian Ranch Riding at Scottsdale
Western Dressage
Region III Champion Pardonn My French+++//
Half Arabian Western Pleasure on DT Glory Bea+/ owned by Laughing Dog Ranch, LLC.
English Trail on OFW Renoir+
Ranch Riding
Western Pleasure Maturity Champion Good For The Soul owned by Myrna Grief
Yellowstoan+//
Angel Under Fire
U.S. National Champion Arabian Western Trail
Three Times Alady FF and Andrea Sommers
"Dreams are first seen as impossible, then seem improbable, and finally, when we commit ourselves, become inevitable." - Mahatma Gandhi
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  • Home
  • About MDPH
  • Contact
  • Our Hall of Fame
  • BARN NEWS
  • Recent Show Results
  • Trail Courses
  • Sales Opportunities
  • MDPH CLIENTS
  • Michael's Blog
  • Bits N' Memories