For 14 years, Grant Setnicka has been a well-known trainer in the National Cutting Horse Association. He is a $4 million earner and he is now teaching his ways to his right-hand man and assistant trainer, Alexander Billingsley, or as Setnicka likes to call him, Lefty.
When the 22-year-old first started working for Setnicka, he could not seem to do anything right. Because of that, he acquired the nickname Lefty.
After four years of working and training with Setnicka, it is safe to say that Lefty is learning to do things right these days, as he just made the finals at the Summer Spectacular in Fort Worth. But, according to Setnicka, the nickname is stuck.
“So, at this year’s 2024 Summer Spectacular, Lefty... it was that show where he broke through, proved to himself and everybody else that he can make Open Finals,” Setnicka said.
He went on to explain that he and Lefty had a system, where if he showed the top three horses, Lefty would show four and five.
“Obviously, he kind of made me look silly because he made the Finals on two horses, and I barely made it on one, but I’m really happy for him,” Setnicka said with a smile.
As the years have gone by, Setnicka has found himself caring less about his accomplishments and more about the kind of person he is. With that, there has been a change in his mindset.
“I messed up on a couple of my better horses, and usually I would be pretty down in the dumps. But, him doing well really... I didn’t even care how I did to be honest. Like, I was just so excited for him,” he said.
Setnicka went on to say, “I remember he came to the trailer when we were done showing and he still had his chaps on. I mean, the show had been over for a couple hours, and he literally said ‘I might sleep in my chaps tonight,’ you know... he was that excited, so. I was...just to see that, it kind of sparks my career a little bit because I want to see him do well and continue to do well.”
Setnicka expects a lot of Lefty, as any world renowned trainer would of his assistant.
“He’s pretty hard on me, but, as expected. I didn’t come here for him to be soft on me.” Lefty said.
Lefty is appreciative of everything that Setnicka has given him. He is especially grateful for opportunities such as being able to compete at such a high stakes event like the Summer Spectacular.
“I appreciate what he does for me. He’s given me great opportunities and just like... just has taught me a lot,” Lefty said. “It is very unreal.”
While Lefty’s hard work for the Summer Spectacular paid off, he is ready for the next step. Despite many people getting burnt out right as they are ready for the next big thing, Lefty is determined to keep that flame of determination burning.
“I know a lot of people get burnt out easy, and I think they get burnt out right there as they’re ready for the next step. So, keep going, keep your head down, and work. Just work, and it’ll pay off,” he said.