GoHorseShow.com has been busy this past week working towards crowning the best trainer for 2008. But really, what makes a great trainer? Everyone will answer that question differently, but for Reid Thomas of Corpus Christi, Texas, his philosophy revolves around providing customer service for his clients and running his training operation like a business.
Thomas has accumulated a strong, loyal list of clients and a barn full of very talented horses. His approach to training is a breath of fresh air to our industry. And this fresh approach is getting results; two Congress Championships and one AQHA World Championship in 2008.
GoHorseShow.com sat down with Thomas and talked about his unique approach, where he finds gratification (his answer will surprise you) and his recent successes.
GHS: Please tell our readers a little about your background – where you grew up, how you got into horses?
Thomas: I grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas. I wanted a horse since I could walk. My Mom had grew up with horses and knew it was a huge responsibility. So it took until I was 7 years old to convince my parents to buy me my first horse.
GHS: When did you decide to become a horse trainer? Was that an easy decision?
Thomas: It was the most difficult decision of my life to become a horse trainer. I grew up watching most horse trainers struggle to make it and I feared that way of life. I trained horses through high school and college, and not until I said no to law school acceptance, did I realize…I’ve picked this profession. I decided to run other businesses on the side just as a back up plan, as my childhood experiences taught me.
GHS: What’s your favorite part about being a horse trainer?
Thomas: I love working with horses that want to be show horses.
GHS: Your Reid Thomas Performance Horses website is unlike any other horse trainer’s out there that we’ve seen. You have information such as your show schedule with the name and phone number of your hotel of choice as well as an extensive student resources section. Why all the organization?
Thomas: Organization is one key discipline to success. I want my clients to receive the kind of service demanded at a five star hotel. Every person today is busy, I place a big importance on cutting out any duty that can be minimized by a little more work now, to save hours later. I believe my website does this for me.
GHS: Customers ask a lot of horse trainers. What do you ask from your customers?
Thomas: Clear goal path and honesty.
GHS: Name the top three things you want to deliver to your clients.
Thomas: Prepared animals, educated riders, and a smile with the service.
GHS: Name top three things that you do that produces a successful business model as a horse trainer?
Thomas:
1) Great people working beside and under you, ie: accountant, lawyer, assistants…
2) Daily To Do List, Organized records and book keeping
3) Vision with listed goals and attention to every detail.
GHS: From what do you get the most gratification?
Thomas: I get the most from helping my rider named Lisa Hepner. She is my inspiration. She is my role model. Lisa has CP (Cerebral Palsy – a condition characterized by paralysis, weakness, in coordination
and/or other motor dysfunction caused by brain damage or birth trauma.
Therapy and/or surgery can help the child minimize and sometimes
overcome the difficulties of walking and being active.) She rides with me Tue, Wed, and Thurs, of each week. A year ago her goal was to walk independently on a horse, as of today, she shows walk-trot with me. She has a horse named Zips Dandy Sensation, 2yrs ago he under went extreme hock surgery, and was never supposed to walk again. Each week, I teach Lisa and Dandy…it gives me chills to write you this, and with a tear in my eye, this is why I’m a horse trainer. Lisa once wrote me a poem, thanking me for giving her the legs she never was able to have! I’ve made some great matches over the years, but this match is closest to my heart!
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GHS: Tell us about your most recent World Show success.
Thomas: A dream come true, to take a no name horse, and make him famous! Chippen In Style was purchased to be a western all-around horse, and early on I recognized he had more talent than just that. So I began to outsource to great hunter riders, 8 months later, the horse that lives in stall #3 here in Corpus Christi, Texas, made history for me. This year I had my first 2 Congress Champions in the same night, and a month later, my first AQHA World Champion.
To learn more about Reid Thomas Performance Horses, please visit his website or call him at 361-739-1951.
