GoHorseShow sat down with up-and coming trainer Missy Thyfault of Shelby, Ohio to find out more about how she got involved with horses, and more about her training philosophy. We enjoy introducing new trainers to our readers and finding out more about people in our industry who may still be under the radar or on the verge of making a name for themselves.
Q: Tell us about yourself and your background?
A: I am from Momence, Illinois which is one hour south of Chicago, and I currently live in Shelby, Ohio. I am married to Don Van Fleet, but I kept my name when we were married, so, he sometimes gets called Mr. Thyfault (laughs). He has a fitness center called Fleets Fitness and also helps keep things running smoothly at the farm. If you see him at a horse show, it is most likely to watch our son, Max Van Fleet, showing his reiner, Bingos Montego Bay, aka, Bubba.
Q: What are some of your proudest accomplishments?
A: Some of my accomplishments within the industry include winning the Congress in the Two Year-Old Hunter Under Saddle, as well as having multiple reserve champions and many top tens. I was the high point limited rider for NSBA during my last limited year. I have won the Reichert and the Breeders Championship futurity and enjoyed that immensely. I haul many youth and amateurs to reach their high point goals statewide as well. I think my best accomplishment is when a customer has reached a goal, no matter how big, and feels a sense of pride and confidence from it.
Q: What are some of the horses you have shown that our readers may know?
A: Coca Koa, Lots of Chocolate, Chip N Pie, Blue Chip Chocolate, Temperature Rising, DGS Indygo, DGS Indylicious, Ima Detail, Lukes Come Naturally, Willy In Aliceland, Consider Him Sheik and TH Its Only Money.
Q: What made you decide you wanted to become a professional trainer?
A: I have always felt I would stay involved with the industry. I am a four year graduate from the University of Findlay, and, when I had my senior evaluation, I remember asking Dan Huss whether I should go take a job training for a man named Richard Ekin. He didn’t discourage me, but he told me you don’t know until you go out and try. At that moment, I needed to hear something positive and when I heard it, I ran with it. Richard Ekin was a perfect customer for me to which I owe a great deal for giving me good stock to ride–but he did make me ride what he had to start with and trade up on every purchase. I had to prove to him I would do the work and in turn he invested in my training. We all have rough patches because it isn’t easy but no one ever told me it was going to be easy. In fact, I was told quite the opposite. I think it is a business where hard work is rewarded.
Q: What do you enjoy about being a horse trainer?
A: I love being a horse trainer and feel lucky to be successfully employed as one. I never take for granted that I am able to do this physically every day. My dad made sure I picked out a career that was my passion. He ran a bowling alley and bar named, Red Cedar Lanes, and although he was successful, it wasn’t how he pictured himself living out his life. Horse training is a commitment of a special kind, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Q: Who are some of your biggest mentors?
A: As far as mentors go, I would have to say there are so many. I wasn’t a horse show youth myself, so, I had to absorb all I could from my peers and teachers. I often call Art O’Brien for advice. He also trains my son Max in the reining. Jaimie Watson has been helpful to me with the trail. Brent Tincher and Dale Hamilton help me by allowing me to come ride. Becky Schooler and Nancy Sue Ryan have coached me on the rail at the Congress. Lynne Puthoff will inform me if my equitation is getting sloppy. Darla and Brian Lee will watch one of my horses show and tell me if its legs could be better. I have found fellow horse trainers to be my best asset, and I try to be as open minded as possible to keep on learning and staying competitive as I can be. I welcome the critique and keep in mind what works for my program.
Q: What would you like to see changed within the industry?
A: I think the industry could benefit from a trainers union of sorts. I am sure we all have so much to offer each other and could benefit and maybe weigh in on some of the issues that affect us directly. Most of the horse trainers I know try to do what is best by the customer and the horse alike. I do, unfortunately, see that there is a segment of people who have had bad experiences within the industry and leave the horse market disgruntled. Maybe some of these problems could be addressed and resolved if there was some kind of union–maybe talents and training techniques could be shared. I would love to attend a training convention for our many disciplines and learn as much as I could in one location. Every trainer could bring a few horses and there could be guest speakers. I think it could be highly beneficial to everyone involved.
Q: What advice do you have for young trainers?
A: I would say ride every horse you are sent like it’s your next Congress champion. I would say to the younger trainers that you have to have a strong work ethic to last. You have to have it in your blood. There are no shortcuts–you need to ride your horses. Don’t ride them all the same, as, they are all very different. Honesty is always the best policy. Don’t get distracted by the glitter or the advertisements as that has nothing to do with being a horseman. Stay humble, as this profession will humble you soon enough. Stay open minded and listen to all the advice you can take in. Know that when the stars all line up just right that you can win a big one. But, also know the next day, it starts all over again and there is a new winner. Be happy for those around you. No one likes a sore loser or a whiner. Have respect for yourself and others and remember your customers are at the horse show to have a good time and enjoy their horse. Don’t be afraid of not being good enough because if you do your job and train up your horse the best it can be, people will respect your effort. Better horses will follow. Always keep the welfare of the horse primary.
Q: What is your favorite class?
A: My very favorite class is the two year-old hunter under saddle. I feel if I am on a nice enough horse that brokeness and consistency really comes into play. I have had the most success in that class. I truly love everything from the western pleasure to the trail equally. Any talented horse and rider combination executing a pattern is also a joy to watch.
Q: Any memories that stand out that have helped you become the trainer you are today?
A: I remember having the courage back in the day to go to my very first Ohio quarter horse show. It was rather intimidating at the time, but I had some friends tell me I had a horse that needed to be there so I went. He was a big, steel grey hunt seat gelding named Bold Trade. I got dressed and decided to ride him around the warm up which was full of puddles. My horse was big and rather pretty and within minutes, Dan Trien had ridden next to me and wanted to know my horse’s name. He thought he knew him and said he liked him. I was encouraged that he had noticed him and was feeling excited to show him. Two laps later, my horse catapulted over a puddle like he was going over a three foot jump, and I landed in a puddle covered and dripping in mud. I only had one set of show clothes, then, so my day was over. Everyone said I guess he’s not a mudder, and, I had a good laugh. After that humbling first attempt, the next few trips improved and he eventually won me my first futurity. I was hooked after that, but I learned that you can’t take yourself too seriously and to be better prepared the next time.
Q: What are some of your future goals?
A: My future goals are to have more futurity horses in my program. I love the futurity hunt seaters. I would like to be able to show more at the larger circuits this year and focus on turning out world level teams. I would eventually like to haul less horses and to keep improving the quality of what I haul. I am always thinking of improvements within my program.
Q: Thank you Missy for sharing your thoughts and ideas with GoHorseShow