Tracer Gilson’s career began in the show pen at an early age, where he would enter any class he could to get more time on horseback. He helped his dad with their training operation growing up, occasionally taking guidance from Mike Flarida to enhance his skills. At 19, Tracer decided to pursue a career with horses and withdrew from college where he was studying medicine, to chase his dream. Throughout his early days, he worked under horse training greats Ed Fear and Randy Paul and, in 2006, launched Gilson Performance Horses with his wife, Tricia.

To date, Tracer has numerous NRHA titles and lifetime earnings of over $775,000. In 2012, Tracer and his family were invited to relocate their business to California and partner with Booth Ranches where he currently acts as their head trainer and continues to show. Tracer transitioned to the Cow horse industry in 2018 and has won in excess of $62,000.