Solvang's Monty Roberts, influential horse trainer, dies at 91

By Staff Report · Sat Aug 08 2026

Founder of Flag Is Up Farms known for revolutionizing the horse training industry across disciplines

Staff report

Marvin Earl "Monty" Roberts, a widely respected horse trainer who changed the way people thought about the profession and with his wife Pat practiced those methods at their Flag Is Up Farms over six decades, died Friday, July 31, at the age of 91.

Roberts' daughter, Debbie Roberts Loucks, who with her husband Tom has owned Flag Is Up Farms since 2021, made the announcement on Facebook:

"It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my father, Monty Roberts, on July 31, 2026.

For the world, he was known as the man who listens to horses. To me, he was simply Dad, a man of extraordinary kindness, unwavering integrity, and an unshakable belief that trust could accomplish what force never could.

For more than eight decades, he dedicated his life to changing the way people understand and work with horses. His mission reached far beyond horsemanship. He believed that true leadership is built on communication, patience, empathy, and respect; lessons that have touched the lives of countless people around the world."

In that same post, Loucks expressed her gratitude to the horse racing community:

"Our family is deeply grateful for the love, friendship, and support you have shown him throughout his remarkable life. Your letters, visits, stories, and shared experiences have meant more than you could ever know. Together, you became part of a worldwide community united by a common belief that both horses and people thrive when they are treated with kindness and understanding.

While our hearts are broken, we also find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on every time someone chooses compassion over force, listens before asking, and seeks a better partnership with their horse.

Santa Ynez Valley Star Contributing Writer Pamela Dozois wrote multiple stories involving Roberts and Flag Is Up Farms, and in this 2024 story, described Roberts' place in the horse-training arena.

"Monty Roberts changed the way people thought of traditional horse training enough to revolutionize the industry across disciplines, eventually gaining support for his concepts by Queen Elizabeth II in 1989. The pandemic took him off the road after 30 years of demonstrating his horsemanship in 41 countries, and training tens of thousands of horses," Dozois wrote. "Flag Is Up Farms has been the home to thoroughbred training as well as the Monty Roberts International Learning Center, where students come from around the world to learn Monty’s concepts of Join-Up®."

Roberts was born in Salinas, California, and is the son of horse trainer Marvin E Roberts. He competed in rodeo and won his first trophy at the age of 4. He attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and rode for their rodeo team, winning two National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) National Championships. He graduated from Cal Poly in 1959 with a degree in animal science.

In 1966, Roberts assisted in the founding of Flag Is Up Farms, located between Buellton and Solvang, of which he was the full owner. From 1973 to 1986, he was a leading consignor to the Hollywood Park Two-Year-Old Thoroughbreds in Training Sale.

Roberts traveled around the world during his life, demonstrating his method of horse training to paying audiences, as well as volunteering time for groups such as incarcerated youth in juvenile detention facilities.

Roberts even had a connection with royalty, as he was invited by Queen Elizabeth II for a visit. The queen, who was an avid horsewoman, brought Roberts to the United Kingdom to demonstrate his "Join Up" method to her stable staff. He would attend the queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002, and in 2011 was appointed an Honorary Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) "for services to Her Majesty's racing establishment."

Roberts is survived by his wife Pat and his daughter Debbie Roberts Loucks. No funeral plans have been released at press time.