In recent years, Sherrye has ring stewarded for the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the AQHYA World Championship Show.  She has earned the respect of many of the top judges and has used her time in the ring as another tool for learning how to better her training program.  She herself has become Maine's first 4 star AQHA, NRHA and GHRA judge as well as being an AQHA Professional Horsewoman.  She is a lifetime member of AQHA, NSBA as well as a member of NRHA, NCHA, NBHA, USDF, USET, USEF, GCDS and NEHC.  She serves on the AQHA Youth Committee, MeQHA Board and is a member of the AQHA Region 6 Affiliates. 
Although Sherrye has very little time for herself, she does enjoy activities outside of the horse world.  She enjoys watching movies and listening to music.  She is an accomplished scuba diver, skier and also fly fishes.  She and John also like to attend Red Sox and Patriots games.  It would also be a lie if it was said that she did not like to SHOP and eat pasta!!!!  Out of all of this, if you ask her what her favorite thing to do is, it would probably be spending time with her animals. 2 Golden Retrievers Cooper and Ginny, a McCaw Parrot Ra, 4 cats and let us not forget the "Ass" Lucy!
"The only thing that starts at the top    is post hole digging"
"Practice makes perfect,
but only perfect practice"
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader"

What does it take to be a horse trainer? It is not something you just decide all at once. Win a few blue ribbons, attend a few seminars, start teaching lessons and suddenly you are a horse trainer. No. Being a horse trainer is a life long commitment. It takes years of schooling, experience working for and with the great ones before you and dedication to always putting the horse's needs before yours. It's not being afraid to say that you don't know everything and that there is always more to learn. To be able to get into a horses mind and understand the reasons for their actions and behaviors and knowing what the best cure might be. It's about being able to recognize a horses natural ability and train them to showcase their talent and not make them do things that they just physically can not do.

All these things is what makes Sherrye Johnson-Trafton not just a horse trainer but, a great one. She has dedicated her life to promoting healthy, safe and happy horses. Horses that are not ridden all hours of the day until they are so tired and unhappy with their jobs that they become sour and disobedient. Treat the horse with respect and make his job fun and interesting is what Sherrye strives to achieve no matter what discipline the horse is.

Sherrye herself has been a champion for many years. Winning countless All-Around titles, AQHA Championships and qualifying for the World Show in Halter, Jr. & Sr. HUS, Sr. WP, Sr. Trail and a finalist in Sr. Western Riding.  She has also earned championships in ApHC, APHA and TWBEA. After attending college for veterinary medicine, Sherrye chose to embrace her love for horses and attend Findlay College in Ohio which has turned out some of the best horse trainers in the industry. After graduating, she joined McCormick Farms Inc. in Indiana as her first training experience. Gaining her confidence and strengthening her talent, she returned home with husband John Trafton, and started Sable Oak Equestrian Center in 1991.　 From there, Sherrye has developed a training philosophy that has gained the attention of not only horse owners but movie makers alike.

　　

In 1993, Sherrye was contacted by "Animals for Hollywood" to be the chief animal handler/consultant on the up coming feature film "Man Without a Face" not only staring Mel Gibson but, also being directed by him as well. Sherrye and "Go Boys Thunderer" a 4 time World Champion Tennessee Walking Horse by Merry Go Boy, quickly formed a great relationship with the actor and helped him to film riding scenes throughout the movie. Not many horse trainers get the honor of working with a Hollywood legend!