06/05/2026
Meet our Cattle Judge!
Dana Grafft, MS, MBA, is an accomplished horsewoman, breeder, and judge with a deep record of success in the reining, reined cow horse, and ranch horse disciplines.
While she has spent more than 25 years in pharmaceutical development professionally, Dana’s enduring passion and expertise lie in the performance horse industry, where she owns and operates a private Quarter Horse farm in Frederick, Maryland. There she breeds, raises, and develops high-quality Quarter Horses specifically for reining, reined cow horse, and ranch events.
Dana’s program is built on the influence of her foundation stallion, Commandalena (LTE $144,000 and 260 AQHA points), whose pedigree and performance set the tone for the caliber of horses she produces. Her breeding and training program emphasizes sound
minds, versatility, and long-term show-ring competitiveness, reflected in the consistent success of her horses and their riders.
In addition to her work as a breeder and exhibitor, Dana has significant experience in the judging ranks. She is a past NRHA judge and is actively pursuing her NRCHA judging card, including participation in the NRCHA Sixth Chair Judges Education
Seminar in February. Dana is recognized as one of the few non-professionals who is regularly called upon to judge local ranch, reining, and cow horse events. She is known for bringing a rider-focused, educational perspective to her judging and for her strong
support of newcomers to the industry.
Dana is committed to growing the sport by mentoring and encouraging emerging competitors. She offers leasing opportunities to help new riders gain access to quality
horses and gain experience in the show pen, bridging the gap between entry-level participation and high-level competition.
As an exhibitor, Dana competes successfully at both the NRCHA East Coast and national levels. Recent highlights of her show career include being a three-time Run For A Million Non Pro qualifier in reining, three Top Five finishes in 2025 within the NE NRCHA region, and three Top Five placements in the 2025 year-end standings for both ARCHA and NERCHA. Her combined experience as a breeder, judge, and competitor positions her as a highly respected and knowledgeable presence in the reining and cow
horse communities.
