After a highly successful run at this year’s Congress, trainer Reid Thomas of Boerne, Texas has tremendous momentum headed into the AQHA World Show. At the AQHA World Show, Thomas will be showing his Reserve Congress Champion Green Western Riding mount, Huntin By Moonlite in the Junior Western Riding.
With the recent passing of the one year anniversary of his father’s death, the 34 year-old trainer has learned some valuable lessons that he has carried over to both his personal and professional life.
“This year Congress was very special, since losing my father, Brock Thomas last year at the show,” Reid says. “I find myself thinking of him and feel in my heart that he’s always with me now. Dad would always have me call him every time I was safe at a show and safe at home. I know he’s watching over me and at every show with me now.”
Thomas continues, “My priorities have changed drastically the past few years with my father’s passing,” Reid reveals. “My goals were focused more on making sure my clients were winning, whereas now, I just want to do an honest job and work with quality people. I am blessed to love my job, my clients, and my family, and in this ego driven industry–I had to remember what was important— to be honest, work hard, play by the rules and hopefully success will come my way.”
And without a doubt, success has started knocking on Reid’s door. Thomas currently has 22 horses in training and seventeen clients at his Boerne, Texas training facility. This year was also very special with the addition of assistant trainer, Brynne Bassler-Davis.
“In the service business of training horses, I’m always receptive to client feed back,” Reid states. “I’m more than ecstatic to report across the board, my people love Brynne!”
As far as this year’s Congress, Thomas and his clients had a very successful show. Reid was Reserve and NSBA Champion in the Green Western Riding, and Reserve NSBA in the Jr. Western Riding with Huntin By Moonlite, who was recently purchased by Sarah Orsak. Juliana Carlisle’s new horse, Too Hot To Frisk, won the 3 & 4 Year-Old Trail Stakes with Joni Nelson. Eric Mendrysa was Reserve Champion and NSBA Champion in Novice Amateur Showmanship and Top 10 in the Amateur Showmanship. Claire Cherrington was Top 10 in every class she entered with her horse, Zips Dandy Sensation, and Sarah Orsak was Top 5 in the Novice Youth Horsemanship.
Mendrysa and Orsak also had an impressive run at the Novice East Championships. Mendrysa and his horse, Only By Moonlight (Moonie) won the horsemanship and the showmanship beating out over 100 exhibitors in each class. Quite impressive considering they just started the all-around events earlier this year. Also Novice Youth Sarah Orsak and her horse, Smokin Charlie Too, won three championships including the performance halter geldings, hunt seat equitation, and horsemanship.
According to many friends and clients, Thomas has an exceptional ability to match his riders with the correct horses for success. Mendrysa told us that he was very proud of his Novice Championship and Congress success.
“I have only owned Moonie for about ten months,” says Eric, who bought the gorgeous mare from Justin Billings. “When we got her, she had not been started on the all-around events. We have worked so hard all year and put so much effort into finishing her events. It’s great working with Reid because he is so patient, and his ability to match horse to rider is amazing.”
Orsak agrees, “Winning three Novice Championships was quite unexpected,” Sarah tells GoHorseShow. “Charlie and I have always done well in the equitation and halter, however, being able to win the horsemanship which has been a struggle, shows that our hard work paid off. On working with Reid, I have learned to not only to prepare Charlie but to be as confident in myself as he is in our ability to win. Not only is he my trainer, he is a great role model and a person that I can call a friend.”
GoHorseShow wishes Reid and all of his clients continued luck at the World Show. Also look out for Brynne Basser showing Ima Diamond Loper in the Junior Western Riding, and Murray Griggs showing him in the Junior Trail; Too Hot to Frisk and RR Moonlite Mister with Joni Nelson in the Junior Trail. We are also excited to announce that Sarah Orsak recently purchased RR Moonlite Mister to be her new all-around horse for next year.
Photos © KC Montgomery and Jeff Kirkbride
CLICK HERE to views Reid’s ads in the World Show issue of GoMag
