He credits her honesty and high standards for shaping the horseman he is today. “She’s tough on me because she cares, and she continues to push me to be better and learn more.” Today, Thomas works for Gene Spagnola (“Geno”) of Powder Brook Farm in Harwinton, Connecticut, where he has been for six years. The opportunity came unexpectedly. While competing at a show in New Jersey during his final youth year, Geno approached him with a job offer. “Having someone of his level and skill seek me out and see potential in me was not only a surprise, but an honor,” Thomas says. “Becoming a horse trainer up until that point was a dream, but Geno helped turn that dream into a reality.” Prior to joining Powder Brook Farm, Thomas assisted Erin Cecchini of Five Star Performance Horses, where the opportunity to work with hunter and over fence horses expanded his skill set and helped him become a more well-rounded horseman. Just as important, those years instilled lessons that would stay with him throughout his career. If horses have taught Thomas anything, it’s patience. “No two horses are the same,” he explains. “You need to learn to listen to them. Good things take time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.” That mindset is reflected in the horses that have shaped the most important chapters of his young career. Among those that left an indelible mark are Algorithm, who carried Thomas to Top 15 finish in the Hunter Under Saddle at the Congress, and Best Lopin Machine, the mare who helped him win his first professional trophy and his first AQHA World Championship Show hardware. Perhaps most meaningful, however, was Becuz I Can—the first horse Thomas started entirely on his own and who went on to place Top 10 at the Congress. “You have a special sort of bond with the first horse you start,” he says. “To be able to achieve such an accomplishment was the cherry on top. I was so proud.” Those moments of success, however, represent only one side of the journey. Behind every milestone is the daily grind of a demanding profession. Being a horse trainer is far from easy, and Thomas is quick to acknowledge the challenge of balancing multiple horses, clients, and responsibilities. Still, the rewards far outweigh the difficulty. For him, the best part of the job is working alongside Geno, whom he considers a model professional horseman. “With Geno, success is never individual,” Thomas says. “It’s something he shares, and he’s constantly uplifting the team around him.” That team-first mindset extends to Thomas’ own accomplishments. His resume includes earning the title of Bronze World Champion in the L2 Senior Trail at the AQHA World Championship Show, along with Top 10 finishes at both the All American Quarter Horse Congress and the NSBA World Championship Show. Earlier on, he also found success in the youth ranks, including a fourth-place finish in the Showmanship at the Congress. Still, he is quick to share the credit. “It takes a village,” he says, echoing the example set by his boss. “No man can do it alone.” Looking ahead, Thomas dreams of winning the Congress and World Show— and of coaching his clients to those same titles. He also hopes to expand his involvement by earning his judge’s card. At its core, what he values
most about the show horse industry is simple: “It gives me an opportunity to make a living doing something I love.” His advice to those considering the same path is grounded and sincere. “Be open minded. Ask all the questions, listen, and soak it all in,” he says. “Most importantly, stay humble, never give up, and appreciate your team around you.” From a small town in Vermont to the national stage, Thomas Lamson’s story is one shaped by gratitude, patience, and a deep respect for the horse—and it’s clear he’s only just getting started. PREMIER | FEBRUARY 2026 | 47