Nic Oliverio Places in Top Five at American Quarter Horse Congress

When showing his quarter horse, Scout, Nic Oliverio keeps his emotions in check.

“Horses are so in tune and intuitive of our feelings, they can hear your heartbeat from six feet away,” he said. “If your heart is racing, they are going to be nervous.”

Oliverio and his six-year-old Scout have a true meeting of the minds and a devotion to one another that is reflective of the days and hours spent together training, grooming or just enjoying each other’s company.

That passion and dedication have paid off. Oliverio nabbed two top five placements at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, the largest horse show in the world.

“I am not an extremely emotional person, not a happy crier, but this is something that brought me happy tears,” Oliverio said. “I’m an adult now and I’m the one fitting the bill for all of this and putting in all the time and effort and it is all paying off.”

The All American Quarter Horse Congress takes place throughout October at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus, where it attracts 20,000 entries, over 500,000 visitors and generates 429 million dollars for central Ohio.

Oliverio started showing at Congress at age 18, but he cannot remember a time in his life when horses weren’t of utmost importance to him.

“I remember being a little kid in the car with my parents (Philip and Gina) and begging them to drive me out to see horses in a field,” he said. “When I was 12, they bought me my first horse after I had begged them for years.”

That first horse was Shy Guy, who he began showing at age 13. Oliverio also owns Brandy and a red coat mare named Beth Dutton. All four horses are boarded at his dad’s farm just outside of Bridgeport. 

“I bought Beth Dutton at Congress two years ago. She came with that name, and I kept it,” he said. “Such’s such a sweet girl with not much in common with the real Beth Dutton, but red mares are stereotyped to be feisty.”

Shy Guy and Brandy are both retired, but Oliverio does show Beth Dutton. His relationship with Scout, however, is one that runs especially deep.  

“I got him when he was two years old. He was broken to ride with a trainer and knew how to have a saddle on his back, but I’ve taught him everything else about showing and jumping,” Oliverio said.

Scout had a challenging start in life.

“When he was born, his mom wasn’t able to take care of him, so he was bottle raised,” Oliverio said. “His best friend was an orphaned sheep.”

Oliverio paid $10,000 for his prized horse. That may sound like a lot, but many of the horses he competes with – and outshines – cost upwards of $150,000 and do training programs that cost thousands per month.

“These six-figure horses have big-time trainers with big names,” Oliverio said. “I am the underdog.”

His connection with Scout is one he cannot explain.

“He’s the only horse I’ve ever had that comes running to me when he sees me in the field – no matter what. He whinnies for me and gives me actual kisses and wraps his neck around me like he’s giving me hugs,” he said.

Scout’s registered name is the Art of War. His registration number is tattooed on Oliverio’s arm.

To prepare for competition on Congress level, Oliverio and Scout ride and practice five to six days per week.

“We do a course of eight fences for the jumping phase and then we also do the under saddle event where 20 horses go into the arena and the same time and are asked to walk, trot and cantor.”

Those are just a couple of the many events they train for. Oliverio and his horses have competed at various shows, including a recent series of five at the World Equestrian Center in Wilmington, Ohio.

“Actually, at one of those shows in my division, I ended up champion,” he said. “There were 37 horses in my division and that was a great confidence booster leading up to Congress.”

Showing horses also comes along with some big costs including veterinary and farrier bills and occasional lessons with professionals. 

Oliverio said while growing up, he played various sports, but once he experienced his first horse show, he turned all his energy and interests to his horses. He remembers being encouraged by his grandfther, Sonny Oliverio.

“He was always so proud of all the grandchildren and their sports. He went to every single game,” Oliverio said. “He was just getting sick when I got my horse and I remember him being so excited that I had found what I was going to do. If he was still here today, I know he would be super proud.”

Oliverio works part-time for the family business, Oliverio’s Ristorante, but his primary work is as a real estate photographer; a skill he picked up while living in LA for seven years.

“During that time, my dad kept the horses at the farm and took care of them, but when I came home, I took over,” Oliverio said.

His recent accomplishment at Congress has fueled his fire to continue to excel.

“I placed in the top 5 which is a huge deal to me,” he said. “Ultimately, my goal is to become Congress champion someday. That’s the pinnacle to me.”