Tommie Turvey

Tommie Turvey grew up immersed in horses, developing a deep connection that would shape his entire career. His unconventional path began at just ten years old, when he was hired to present the best qualities of completely unknown horses in auction rings—an experience that forged his keen eye, adaptability, and confidence with any horse placed in front of him.

In 1989, Tommie expanded his skills into professional performance, beginning with Medieval Times Dinner Theater and continuing through multiple seasons with Arabian Nights in Florida. Highly skilled in trick riding, Roman riding, and liberty training, he was soon recruited as a trainer and performer for Euro Disney’s Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in Paris, France.

His international career continued with tours throughout France, Italy, and Belgium, followed by a return to the United States when the Royal Hanneford Circus recruited him for a three-year national tour. These years cemented his reputation as a versatile and fearless equestrian showman.

In 1992, Tommie launched a parallel career in film and television after earning his SAG-AFTRA card as a stunt performer. He quickly became one of the industry’s most respected movie horse trainers, known for preparing horses to perform reliably in high-pressure environments where precision and safety are critical.

His film and television credits include work with his horses on major productions such as Fist Fight, Underground, The Dark Knight, The Blacklist, The Walking Dead, Will Trent, and The Breadwinner. He is currently training and providing horses on Season 4 of Paramount+’s Tulsa King.

In commercial production, Tommie was personally selected by Anheuser-Busch to train and coordinate the Budweiser Clydesdales for the award-winning 2013 Super Bowl commercial “Brotherhood.”

Beyond film, Tommie is internationally known as the creator and star of “The Riding Instructor,” widely regarded as the world’s funniest horse act. Performed for many years with his horse Poker Joe, the act has delighted audiences around the globe and remains a benchmark in equestrian comedy and showmanship.

Tommie and his horses regularly appear at elite events worldwide, including the National Finals Rodeo, Tournament of Roses Parade, World Equestrian Games, Toronto Royal, and other premier equine showcases. These performances have earned him recognition as one of the most versatile horse professionals in the industry.

At the core of Tommie Turvey’s success is his distinctive training approach, built on trust, affection, and understanding. This philosophy allows him to create extraordinary partnerships with his horses—capable of delivering both family-friendly entertainment and complex, high-risk stunts for film and television with equal excellence.

Together, Tommie and his equine partners continue to set a standard for horsemanship that blends heart, humor, and world-class performance.