Showstopping horse performs over 30 tricks in three minutes thanks to talented trainer

A beautiful white mustang in Bolivia, North Carolina, USA has taken a record alongside his talented owner for the most tricks performed by a horse in three minutes, after completing dozens of successful maneuvers with the power of positive reinforcement. 

Lauryn Zepeda (USA) and her 19-year-old horse, Gringo, crushed the tricky record on 5 March – as the intelligent animal danced, kicked around a ball, and even posed for a selfie, to reach the impressive total of 38 moves in just two minutes and 47 seconds. 

The duo have been competing in showcases together for a decade, and their chemistry was formed by years of trust, care, and consideration. Gringo was born in the wild, and after Lauryn adopted him from a government agency, she trained the mustang using a clicker and treats, similar to how people instruct dogs. 

She always gave the horse the freedom of choice, but as it turns out – he genuinely enjoys being a performer, especially when there are treats and praise involved!

“This record meant a great deal to us, because our training approach isn’t very traditional in the horse world,” said Lauryn to GWR. “Clicker training / positive reinforcement are commonly associated with dogs, but not many people realize how effective it is with horses as well. 

“When we perform, that’s a message we’re passionate about sharing: there are alternative, humane methods – and horses can have meaningful jobs beyond riding.”

While preparing to break the record, Lauryn and Gringo trained over several months, building everything in small, manageable pieces before eventually putting it all together.

“To Gringo it never felt like work, it was simply play,” she said. “While I may have felt the weight of it, to him it’s just time spent together doing something he enjoys. He knows that his effort is always met with a reward, which keeps the experience fun for him.”

It helps that Gringo lives on a farm with 24/7 freedom – he’s outdoors fulltime, with constant access to hay and shelter whenever he wants it. He performs tricks alongside a “small herd” of other animals whenever he feels like it, and spends the rest of his time “getting filthy” during mud baths, and asking Lauryn for his favourite treat (animal crackers). 

So when the time came for the pair to tackle the event, Lauryn created a list of 36 tricks for the horse to perform – as well as eight back-ups – that they would have structure on the day of the attempt. These included movement cues, such as lifting one leg or dropping his head, as well as prop stunts, like waving a flag or ringing a bell. 

“Our training sessions are kept short and rewarding so that he stays enthusiastic and eager to participate,” she said. “I believe I’m able to keep his attention because he genuinely enjoys what we do. I’m very intentional about never overworking him.”

Read more stories about talented pets in our dedicated Animals section!

The experience also tested Lauryn’s own skills – as she had to learn how to communicate with Gringo without touching him, per GWR guidelines. Only gestures and verbal cues are allowed for animal records, and any physical contact between the pair has to be initiated by the pet. 

Nevertheless, she said that she was very proud of the work she and Gringo put in, and that the rules only strengthened the connection between her and her clever horse. 

“Gringo is naturally talented, highly intelligent, and incredibly sensitive,” she said. “He pays attention to everything and is very in tune with me.

“Working with him is a joy because of how willing and engaged he is.”

Eventually, the day came when they were ready to test out Gringo’s skills. Lauryn washed the horse until his white coat shined – and then Gringo immediately gave himself a dirt bath, which she says is “true to his mustang nature.”

They also had a quick scare roughly an hour before the attempt, after one of the toy horns broke, but Lauryn was able to quickly replace it and retrain Gringo on the unfamiliar object.

When they were all ready, one of the witnesses counted down the pair – and Lauryn and Gringo launched into their routine!

The horse started by removing a blanket off his back and giving it to Lauryn, before delving into a performance with his ball. Next, Lauryn directed him to stand on a pedestal, and lift each of his legs before smiling to the camera. 

Tricks 13 through 17 involved items – which required Gringo to wave a miniature American flag, stroke his nose across a tiny toy piano, blow into a horn, ring a bell, and choose a card out of a deck.

Then, Lauryn directed Gringo into a routine on a raised platform, which included putting specific feet on the box, before walking him into a spin and different jumping cues. 

Finally, they ended their routine with some dancing, marching, and walking backwards – before posing for an adorable selfie, blowing a kiss, and giving a bow!

Lauryn was so proud of her beautiful horse, and they celebrated their wonderful accomplishment by catering tacos and sharing cake – one for humans, and a special one for Gringo! 

The cake didn’t last long, however, and the mustang gave it a little lick during pictures before stomping it with his hoof.

“The event became not only a record attempt, but also a celebration of the journey of a once-wild mustang and the partnership we have built together,” said Lauryn.

She continued by giving advice to all her fellow horse-owners out there – saying that if you want to train them like Gringo, just keep it fun.

“In my time performing in front of audiences, it's helped me to keep in mind horses have nothing to prove,” she said. “And the moment you truly accept that, is when the relationship you have with them becomes the priority. 

“They'll strive just to please you, and everything else will fall into place.”

So congratulations to this incredible pair – Lauryn and Gringo, you are Officially Amazing!