Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Potts.
Wendy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born a “horse crazy” girl in Southern California. The 5th child of a Concert Pianist and Professional Singer/Songwriter, I started riding horses at the age of 6 years. I won my first US & Canadian National Championship in Hunt Seat Equitation at the age of 13. I started training Arabian and Half-Arabian horses professionally after I graduated from USC with a degree in Business and have been doing so for the past 30 years,
I am fortunate enough to have excelled in the horse business beyond my wildest dreams, personally winning over 150 National and Reserve National Championships as well as my riders winning 3 times as many. I have been honored to win 11 Arabian Professional and Amateur Horseman’s Association Hunter/Show Hack trainer of the Year Awards as well as winning “The Arabian Horse World” Totally Tops Hunter Trainer of the Year award 12 times. One of the most gratifying awards was winning the prestigious USEF Equestrian of Honor for the Vaughn Smith Trophy. I feel like I have done everything I’ve ever wanted to do in my field and although I love showing myself, I get the most joy from teaching others.
I moved to Texas in 1999 and worked with my former husband until opening Freewill Farm on my own in 2014.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Although from the time I was a little girl, I only wanted to train horses, I knew it would not be an easy road. I honestly thought after graduating from College, I would train horses for a couple of years to get it out of my system, and then go back to school to get a Master’s Degree and a “real job.” Evidently the Universe had other plans for me. As I struggled to start up my own business in 1987 still living with my mother, I watched my friends and classmates start their high paying jobs, buy houses, get married and start families. Just as I was about to throw in the towel, I was approached to take a private job in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley located in the foothills above Santa Barbara, California. Seemed like a dream come true other than the fact that I was twenty something & felt completely isolated from the rest of the world. It was too far away for my clients to drive up on a regular basis and all of my friends and family were located 2 1/2 hours South. With only one day off a week, it didn’t leave much time for socialization. As luck would have it, one of my clients was married to a professional halter trainer (horses are shown in hand rather than being ridden), and the farm where they worked was looking for a performance trainer. I was offered a job at David Murdock’s incredible 2000-acre ranch, Ventura Farms located in Westlake Village, California. This property was so incredible that the TV series “Dynasty” used the barn and surrounding area to film their stable scenes as well as numerous other movies, TV shows and commercials.
This was my dream job! But something was missing. I had always wanted a personal life that was as satisfying as my “horse” life. That meant meeting and dating a Texas horse trainer, and picking up my life, horses and dogs and heading East. We had a very successful business together with over 100 horses in training, 3 other horse trainers working under us, and a full staff of office/barn managers, maintenance workers, grooms and even an on-staff Veterinarian.
As it turns out, it was a lot harder to live and work with my spouse than it was to train horses. We parted ways after 10 years of marriage but have 3 beautiful children. I was blessed to have a 20-year client purchase Kelly Clarkson’s breathtaking property in Mansfield, they built an incredible 50 stall facility complete with an enormous covered riding arena as well as 37 acres of pure beauty!
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Freewill Farm story. Tell us more about the business.
I have always trained Arabian and Half-Arabian show horses on the National level. I specialize in Hunter Pleasure although I grew up jumping and most of my earlier wins were in Hunter/Jumper classes. I also train Western Pleasure, Country Pleasure, Show Hack and Sidesaddle as well as teaching people to ride.
I am proud of the fact that I have had many of my clients for over 20 years. They are my family!!! I love my clients and bond with them as well as their horses. Horse’s and teaching people how to ride and understand them are my passion! The friendships born in my barn transcend the horse business. Many of my clients have been hanging out and vacationing together long after their children that grew up riding with me go off to college and leave horses behind to start families of their own. Better than that, many of their kids are grown up and established in their careers and getting back into the horse world. They’re buying horses on their own and riding with me once again!
I think what sets me apart from other people in the horse business is my honesty and integrity. I truly care about people and their horses, I do this because I love it, not to make a buck. I would never pair up a horse and rider that were not right for each other and I would never push a rider past their capabilities. I don’t blow smoke! I teach people to ride and I teach them to ride well! I train horses and am honest about what they can do. I never put people in dangerous situations when they ride with me and when I spend people’s money on horses, I feel like I’m spending my own and I am very careful with money!!!
I am excited to be taking my business in a new direction. With so many kids today involved in numerous after school sports and spending their spare time on video games and computers the horse industry has been in a steady decline and kids are missing out on good old fashioned outdoor fun! I want to educate parents about getting their kids involved with horses and all the “life lessons” that can be learned through their involvement. Horses teach confidence by learning to manage and manipulate a large animal. They teach responsibility. Horses depend on your care day in and day out regardless of how you’re feeling. They teach patience and work ethic. They teach kids to control their emotions in tough situations as well as teaching them to be brave and push through even when they have their doubts. Kids learn to win and lose graciously. There are so many variables when you’re dealing with a live animal. Horses teach you to work as a team! I feel like I am the person I am today because of what they’ve taught me. That is why Freewill Farm is starting a riding lesson program and numerous Horse riding camps for kids 6 & up. I’m even thinking of having some grown up camps that might involve a little wine tasting!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would imagine that luck has had something to do with my success but I also believe that a lot of things are out of our hands. I definitely believe in a higher power. I’m one of those people that thinks what’s meant to be is meant to be. When one door closes, another one opens. Everything ends up as it should be but I know that there is no substitute for hard work and good behavior.
Pricing:
- $65.00 for one hour riding lesson with me
- $55.00 for one hour riding lesson with one of the other trainers
- $350 for M-F Summer Camp ages 6 yrs and up 9:00 am- 3:30 pm
- Birthday Parties starting @ $250
Contact Info:
- Address: Freewill Farm
6130 Bennett Lawson Rd
Mansfield, TX 76063 - Website: www.freewillfarmllc.com
- Phone: 817-563-9035
- Email: freewillfarm@gmail.com
- Instagram: freewillfarmarabians
- Facebook: Facebook.com/FreewillFarm
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
