Honesty, integrity and dedication are words that help shape Tom Robertson’s professional career in the halter horse world. A trainer, exhibitor and judge, Tom now adds Hall of Fame inductee to his resume with his addition to the World Conformation Horse Association’s class of 2026.
“Being inducted into the WCHA Hall of Fame is a true honor,” the horseman from Saline, Michigan, said. “It’s something that we all look forward to in our lives and hope to be able to get into that group. I’m so excited about it. It’s off the charts for me.”
For Tom, the path to Hall of Fame recognition has been carefully crafted one day at a time, just like the horses he monitors with eagle-eye efficiency. While in high school, Tom and his older brother began working for a family in Northern Michigan who bred and raised halter horses.
“We just started working there through high school, feeding babies for futurities. I won my first futurity when I was just getting out of high school—I was hooked,” Tom said. “It was something that I just enjoyed. I liked trying to make a horse look better every day.”
As a young professional in the 1980s, Tom was involved with guiding the career of Mr Conclusion (QH), a decorated sire who was later inducted into the AQHA Hall of Fame.
“We were at a horse show in Minnesota, a big early spring show, and I got a phone call from one of the owners. He said, ‘I can’t wait for you to get home. I think we really have one,’ ” Tom recalled. “He was just special from the first day you lay your eyes on him. He just had that ‘it factor,’ and he just got better every day of his life. It was really cool being able to have a horse like that. It’s an honor to have been a part of that horse.”
Giving Back
In the 45 years he’s been training and showing professionally, Tom’s racked up a slew of success, including world championships in APHA, AQHA, WCHA and more. The accolades and the money earned are wonderful, Tom says, but even more meaningful is the camaraderie fostered at dual events like the APHA/WCHA Halter Million.
“More importantly, it brings all of our halter people together in one spot,” he said. “You get to see everybody, and they get to see your horses. It’s a great thing—best of both worlds. It’s kept the breeding business going. Even the small breeders want to breed again because of this horse show. We enjoyed doing it with the Paints. I pray that this continues because it has truly saved our industry.”
Whether you’re new to the industry or returning after a hiatus, Tom says to seek advice and develop correct fundamentals. That goes back to integrity, he says, one of his core values.
“Try to do it the right way from the beginning. Get with somebody that is very credible and who you can trust. It might be a little more expensive to do it the correct way at the start, but it will pay off in the long run,” Tom said. “There’s no quick way to do things. I’ve always said the definition of character is doing something right when nobody’s watching. If you don’t have that character and get it done, you’re going to get your butt beat on the weekends.”
When Tom eventually hangs up his hat, he hopes to leave behind a legacy of respect.
“Respect is a great word in our business,” he said. “I want respect, but I like to give it to people who deserve it, too. I hope that people learn from what I’ve done and seen how hard we’ve worked to get it done.”
A Class of Champions
The WCHA Hall of Fame takes place October 2 in Fort Worth, Texas, as part of the 2026 APHA/WCHA Halter Million. Joining Tom are inductees Don and Berta Falcon, Wayne and Jan Bell, The Adams Family, Red Sonny Rebel (QH), Kids Classic Style (QH) and She Scores (QH).
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About APHA
The American Paint Horse Association is the world’s second-largest international equine breed association. Since it was founded in 1962, APHA has registered more than a million horses in 59 nations and territories. APHA promotes, preserves and provides meaningful experiences with Paint Horses. Learn more at apha.com.