Sam Matlock Rose of Gainesville, Texas, passed away November 18, 2022. He was the son of Matlock Rose and Pearla Fredaline Bush Rose, born June 9, 1954, in McKinney, Texas. Sam grew up around his uncles, Stanley, Billy and Jimmy Bush, who first introduced him to cutting. He also spent many weekends and summers on the Sid Richardson Ranch in Benbrook, Texas, with a man named Carolton Penn and his wife, Myrtle. In the early years, Mr. Penn taught Sam and perfected the fundamentals of roping, branding, and livestock and horse management.
Sam went on to work on several ranches and feedlots in New Mexico before he went to work for legendary racehorse trainer C. W. "Bubba" Cascio, gaining important knowledge that would support him throughout his career as a trainer and showman. Sam, alongside Bubba, began conditioning the legendary Dash For Cash, with Sam's focus at the starting gate. Through the accumulation of almost seven years, Sam and Bubba traveled across the country to various racetracks and events, accelerating Sam's success in the horse industry.
Sam came back to Gainesville in 1978, where he went to work for his father. Soon after, Sam met the love of his life, Pam Pechanec. They were married December 23, 1980, and together raised a beautiful daughter, Kristen Leigh Rose. During this time, Sam had the opportunity to train and show some of the best performance Quarter Horses in the country. In 1984, Sam followed his father to his new ranch in Aubrey, Texas, and in 1991 established Sam Rose Quarter Horses. Sam trained multiple horses in many disciplines, ranging from roping, cow horse, cutting and rodeo. Sam went on to earn multiple world, honor roll and championship titles in AQHA, the National Cutting Horse Association and the National Reined Cow Horse Association.
Sam was an AQHA director emeritus, while serving on the Hall of Fame, Judges, Show, Show Council, Grievance and Show Violations Hearing committees. He was also chairman of the Judges Committee and had served on the AQHA Animal Welfare Commission since its inception. Sam also served on the NRCHA Judges Committee and was its chairman for a time. Sam provided his extensive knowledge to the Brazilian Quarter Horse Association, where he worked closely and initiated a judges department to its success. Sam was a world-renowned, certified judge for AQHA, NCHA and NRCHA, officiating at multiple AQHA world shows, NCHA triple crown major events and the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurities, as well as its other major events, such as the Stallion Stakes, Derby and World's Greatest Horseman competitions. He became a NCHA member in 1981 and an NCHA judge in 1999, earning an AAAA rating.
Sam accepted the opportunity to head the NCHA Judges Department as its director of judges in April 2022. During his time as the director of judges, Sam rapidly made positive changes to the department, including further development in the education programs for both NCHA judges and the NCHA membership. Sam collaborated closely with friend and NCHA President Jay Winborn, transforming the Judges Department to a level of excellence and professionalism that associations of this caliber strive for. Sam was proud to stand beside and work with every person on the NCHA staff to make a difference and continue his lifelong passion. Sam was gifted with the ability to uphold personality and professionalism, while adhering to a strict interpretation of the rules that directly reflected the rule books of each equine association he represented throughout his life.
Sam took immense pride in training and assisting youth and amateur exhibitors to their own world championship titles in multiple disciplines. His compassionate heart was with the youth of our equine industry, with educating the fundamentals and enabling the future of each association.
Sam will best be remembered as a loving husband and father, friend to many and a great horseman. Known for his kindness, sense of humor, storytelling abilities and vast knowledge of horses and the industry he loved, Sam was always willing to take the time to help others and was enthusiastic about educating others in the performance horse industry. His enthusiasm for the future of the industry was shown brightest through the interactions with youth in and out of the arena.
Sam was preceded in death by his father, Berry Matlock Rose; his mother, Pearla Fredaline Bush Rose; and uncles Stanley, Billy and Jimmy Bush. He is survived by his loving wife, Pam Pechanec Rose; devoted daughter, Kristen Leigh Rose (Paul Ladwig); mother-in-law, Mary Ann Pechanec; aunt, Carol Bush and family; and sisters Judy Rose Vest and Julie Rose Gleason.
