Cody Whitehead was born in Albertville, Alabama where as a young boy he began showing halter and pleasure horses with his parents. In high school he began working for John Starkey at Starkey Performance Horses. This was his first experience with reining horses. He worked there 4 years.

After high school he went to work for 2 yrs. at 5W Ranch in Ohatchee, AL where he gained experience fitting and showing halter horses. He temporarily left the horse business for 2 yrs working a foundry job but his love for horses drew him back to his desire to ride reining horses.

He went to work for Craig Schmersal for a short time and then in September 2009 began as an assistant trainer with Leclair Performance Horses.