Make a plan.

Work the plan.

Make the plan work.

South Carolina professional trainer TR Potts got that advice from his father-in-law many years ago and he says he lives by those rules every day.

The son of Verlin Potts and Julie Munson, TR is a third-generation horseman on both sides of his family.

Growing up in Boone, Iowa, he attended Boone High School where he was a wrestler and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the Iowa State University in 1998.

But his life always revolved around horses. In fact, he can’t honestly remember a day of his life without a horse in it.

“Horses have always been one of my main focuses whether it was for business or for pleasure,” he explained. “Both my grandfathers were farmers, horsemen and breeders. My father was an AQHA judge, trainer and farrier. My mother competitively showed as an amateur. And, I grew up loving every aspect of the horse world whether recreationally or as a family business.”

As a youth competitor, Potts worked alongside Jim Dudley showing Western Pleasure, Horsemanship and Reining.  He furthered his knowledge of the world of Reining with Clint Haverty in Texas and later spent 18 months back in Iowa riding pleasure horses for JR Reichert.

A chance encounter with a girl by the name of Christine Onofrio, whose horses were stalled next to his at the 1999 All-American Quarter Horse Congress.

“She asked me, ‘Hey, do you know where we dump our manure carts?’ to which I replied: ‘For $5, I’ll dump your cart for you.’  Her reply was, For $5, I’ll dump my own (insert expletive) cart!’ The rest is history,” TR explained.

With the support and guidance of Christine’s family, TR moved to East Windsor, Connecticut and started Potts Performance Horses in 2000.

“Although I am completely grateful for the opportunities that were given to me learning and watching from some great horsemen, I knew I wanted to build a business that I could be proud of,” he said.

In 2001 Potts coached his first AQHA Youth World and Congress Champion Youth Trail Horse.

The following year, TR and Christine were married and they welcomed their daughter, Alexis in 2005 and son, Riley four years later.

Since that first Youth World and Congress Champion, Potts has coached numerous AQHYA World Show top fives; an AQHA World Show Amateur Trail Champion; Congress Champions in Trail, Showmanship and Horsemanship; a Reserve Champion in both Hunter Under Saddle and Trail; several Congress Top 5’s in Equitation, Horsemanship, Showmanship and Trail, as well as NSBA World Champions in Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle and a Reserve Champion in Trail.

“As much as I enjoy showing, seeing my customers from beginners to advanced, work hard and show improvement, it is a good day in the life of Potts Performance Horses,” he said. “I believe we all must start somewhere, and every successful step is just as important as the next.”

Potts Performance Horses moved to 35 acres of land in Fountain Inn, South Carolina in 2013. Today it includes a 20-stall barn, an 80-by-140 covered arena; 120-by-240 outdoor arena; and 14 turnout pastures.

Over the years, TR has had the opportunity to train and or exhibit such successful show horses as Barmaids KC Legend, Are You Charlie, Chocolates Hot Asset, Zips Millionaire, Lopin In My Loafers, Chips Tuff Pie, Deluxe Chex Account, The Gurl Next Door, Miso Lazy, Hez All That, Nature Investment and Slam I Am.

“Watching my clients learn something new and improving is the greatest sense of accomplishment,” he said.

The personal show accomplishment of which Potts is most proud is his Reserve Championship in the Intermediate and fourth in the Level 3 Junior Western Riding at the AQHA World Show in 2011 riding Hez All That.

“This was special to me because it was on a homegrown colt that was not only raised by us, but we showed his mother as well,” he said.

Potts enjoys coaching youth and amateur competitors in all-around events and especially loves taking young horses that compete primarily in Western Pleasure or Hunter Under Saddle and teaching them the pattern classes.

“I take pride in selecting prospects that will be able to further their careers in the appropriate all-around events,” he said. “I am 5’8” and will never be able to slam dunk a basketball no matter how hard I try, therefore I try to be realistic when choosing a young horse keeping in mind their owner’s goals.  I work to analyze the mechanics of a particular horse and give each of them an attainable timeline to not only look out for the best interest of the horse, but the client as well.”

When he is not training or at a show, Potts enjoys spending time with his family and participating in the activities his children enjoy.

“I am blessed that both of my children spend every day in the barn, but in addition to that, I enjoy being involved with my son Riley’s sports,” he said. “He plays on a travel baseball team and he also loves to wrestle.  My daughter Alexis is involved in pageants and is the current USA National Miss Carolina Upstate Junior Teen.”

The one thing many people don’t know about TR is that he is very comfortable walking around the house in socks and flip flops. As he describes perfect happiness like this:

“Whether it’s on a roller coaster, riding a wave or driving in a truck and trailer….as long as I’m going in the same direction as my family I am beyond happy.”

You can contact TR Potts by calling (860) 490-8078 or via the Potts Performance Horses Facebook page.

Open Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for a professional profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.