Wyatt “GW” Bumgarner is a North Carolina entrepreneur, western sports producer, and founder of GW Performance Horses LLC. Based in Granite Falls, North Carolina, GW has built a recognizable brand within the equine industry through horse training, large-scale barrel racing events, youth involvement, and charitable western industry initiatives across the Southeast. Raised in a rodeo family, GW grew up surrounded by western sports and the horse industry. While his family’s roots were in bull riding and roping, horses quickly became his passion. At just 19 years old, he moved to Louisiana where he trained horses across multiple disciplines including track racing, cutting horses, jumpers, and barrel horses while traveling throughout the western United States competing at major events. One of the most influential horses in GW’s career was Fesses Hit, known as “Louie,” a talented barrel horse trained and futuritied by the late Scott Kennedy. Louie helped shape GW both as a competitor and horseman, teaching him the value of patience, humility, and consistency at the highest levels of competition. After losing Louie in a devastating barn fire in 2018, GW became even more determined to build a program focused on horsemanship, mentorship, and opportunity within the western industry. Today, GW Performance Horses is known not only for training and competition, but also for producing some of the Southeast’s fastest-growing western events, including the Foothills Barrel Classic, Cowgirls With A Cause, the Foothills Spring Soirée, and St. Jude’s Showdown. Through these events, GW has combined western sports with community impact by supporting charitable initiatives, sponsoring youth competitors, teaching youth-based clinics, and helping grow the western industry throughout North Carolina and beyond. In addition to his work within the equine industry, GW serves as the NBHA NC03 District Director and sits on the Board of Directors for the Appalachian Disaster Coalition, continuing his commitment to leadership, community involvement, and service throughout North Carolina. Whether he is mentoring riders, producing events, training horses, or building partnerships within the industry, GW’s goal remains the same: to create opportunities for both horses and people while helping grow the future of western sports.