I have a long history with horses. When I was little, I was
what most called a "horse nut".
Ironically, my history with horses began even before I
was born, when my mom sold her horse so she could have
me.
If it had anything to do with horses, I
wanted it. I had horse figurines,
blankets, pictures on my walls, etc. Fortunately my grandparents owned a farm and my aunt
still had two
horses. I was riding by age 3 and used to beg my aunt to
take me out.
It was one thing to ride my aunt's horses, but my dream
was always to have one of my own. Every year I faithfully
put "A horse!" on my Christmas list. Unfortunately I
never found one "under the tree". Finally, when I
reached
my "tween" years, a friend of my family decided her
old horse needed someplace to retire.
They thought that "Star", who was in her 20s by then, would
be a good "kid horse". And she would have been
fine,
except she was slow and had bad ankles. After she fell
down the third or fourth time, I kind of gave up on her.
For a boy who wanted to 'ride
fast' and show horses, a 20-year-old mare that tripped all the time just had no luster.
"Star" finally went to live with some younger kids, and
from that point, my riding time was limited.
When I got
to college, I found out just prior to my sophomore year
('91) that my university (Ball State) had an
equestrian
team that competed in the
IHSA weekend
horse shows. I joined
the team and began taking lessons twice a week. On
weekends we travelled to other universities and rode whatever
horses were provided. The discipline was western
pleasure and reining, but the judging focus was really on
horsemanship. In two years on the team I managed to
make it to the National Finals both years and finish in
the top 10 in my divisions. Unfortunately I could not
continue riding a third year due to my coursework.
In 1992, I decided to take my horse hobby to a whole new
level. I applied for jobs in Colorado to be a "wrangler"
on a dude ranch. I found a job at a ranch just south of
Estes Park and drove out to begin work in early May.
From then through late-August, I spent approximately 6
hours per day leading trail rides through the Roosevelt
National Forest and Rocky Mt. National Parks. The rest
of my job entailed the care and feeding of
approximately 20 horses.
After college, my relationship with horses and my dream
of horse ownership took a big-time back seat. I
married in 1996 and began teaching school, repaying
student loans and other bills, and basically struggling
to make ends meet. I later changed careers into the
IT support field. But with the arrival of two kids, the purchase of a home, and additional
training, owning a horse just
wasn't in the cards.
Not only did I not own a horse, I was no longer even
riding...
Last year
(2008), my friend Troy invited me back to help work a few
cutting horses at his place. I say "back" because my attempt
to ride a loopy horse the previous year was not so
successful and ended with me having a sprained ankle. I was
nervous at first, since I
hadn't ridden regularly in several years. I was VERY rusty
in the saddle, but quickly grew comfortable as the summer
wore on. By late summer, I was helping lope horses prior to cuttings (unpaid, of course). I have
now joined the
NCHA
and hope to show for the first time this year (2009) in the
"2,000 Non-Pro"
class, which allows you to show someone else's horse. I am
also interested in roping, should cutting not pan out for
me.
On August 22nd ('09), I participated in my first cutting
show. It was day of ups and downs for me. The horse I had
been working and practicing on got hurt, so I had to
scratch. Then I was able to borrow a horse at the last
minute, so I was still able to show. I did well in some
areas, not so well in others. But overall, not bad
considering the horse I was riding was "fresh" and wasn't
stopping or turning well.
If
you aren't familiar with the sport of "cutting",
please
check out the video above!
Unfortunately, with a growing family, full-time job, and bills for
school, activities, and other things, owning a competitive horse
still lingers just outside my grasp. And while I enjoy trail and pleasure riding,
there is nothing that takes me higher than entering a show pen.
For now, this is where my story ends. I've been working, doing side
jobs,
saving my change, and selling stuff online. I've made
some progress, but in reality I need help to
fulfill the dreams of that little boy who put "a horse" on his
Christmas list every year. All good stories need to have a happy ending,
right?
Will you please
consider helping me?
$1.00
$5.00
More?!
Please note that I pay a small fee for each online
donation. If you would like to send a check instead, you may send it to the following address:
Mike Adams 5522 Buckthorne Dr.
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
So what's my goal? I would like to
gather $8000 in donations and earnings to help make my dream come true.
There are millions of people on the internet. If I can find
4,000-8,000 people who identify with my story and wish to donate a
minimum of $1.00 to $2.00 each, or even fewer people who wish to donate
more, I believe this is an obtainable goal! With the donations, I hope to
purchase a seasoned cutting horse in the 5-12yr old range. I'm not
looking to "haul" for the finals right now... I just want to hit some weekend
shows, enjoy the sport and fellowship of cutting, and have a horse to ride the
rest of the time for pleasure. If I can purchase a horse in the
range of $4,000-6,000, then my target will also allow me to purchase
some equipment I need, such as chaps, a quality used
saddle & bridle, etc.
Perhaps
I'm crazy. I'm sure some of you who have read this far are
thinking "keep dreaming, buddy". But hopefully I've stirred
something in you. Perhaps YOU had a dream that never came true for
you. Maybe you wanted be
a star athlete, perform on stage, drive a race car, climb a mountain,
or even own your own business. For me, this is
ALL of those things. Most people will put a buck in a vending
machine and get little more than empty calories. Instead, please
consider helping fund a boy's dream and a man's ambition.
I will
update this site periodically on how the goal is shaping up. And if you happen to work in or be involved with the
cutting horse industry and have some special advice or offer to
pass
along, I'm open to that, as well!
A man that don't love a horse,
there is something the matter with him.
If he has no
sympathy for the man that does love horses,
then there
is something worse the matter with him.
~Will Rogers
As of
07/29/2010,
I have accumulated $329.00 toward
my goal. I have
spent $265.00, for a current balance of $64.00
Each section on the graph below equates to $100:
$329
$1k
$2k
$3k
$4k
$5k
$6k
$7k
$8000
I currently need
$7,671.00 to meet my
goal.
News
and Events:
● In
August 2011, I showed for a third time in
Shelbyville, KY (it was super-hot!). My herd work
and first cow were great and I was having an awesome
round. But my second cow ran out on me and I made a
rookie mistake of not getting off and let the horse
go to sleep, which caused me to lose it. I made a 3rd
cut and marked a 64, which was good enough for a tie for
3rd, but not good enough for money. Improvement, though!
● In
April 2010, I showed for a second time in
Edinburgh, Indiana. My herd work felt good, but
the cattle were pretty stale. I missed my first
cut, though, and the horse also didn't want to
go to her right very well. Overall not a good
show... I need practice.
● In
April 2010, I purchased some gently used
chaps from an acquaintance at a show. These are
really nice, Amish-made chaps that should last
me a long, long time with some TLC.
● In
January
2010 I sold my saddle that I brought home from
Colorado with me in 1992. It was an old trail saddle
that really wouldn't suit my future needs, so I
figured I'd part with it now while it was still
worth something. I wanted to keep it from a
sentimental perspective, but decided to let it
go for future gains.
●
In August 2009 I
travelled to Indy for my first cutting (show).
Unfortunately, the horse I had been preparing on
cut her leg and was unable to be shown. But I
borrowed one at the last minute, and managed to
put up a 60. The mare was fresh, and I lost two
cows. But overall it was a positive ride since I
had only gotten to ride the horse for maybe an
hour before my class. It was the last show of
the year.
●
In 2009, I helped a bit and
spur maker in Texas get their web site
straightened up after they had some issues, and
as payment I bartered with them for some
new spurs!
I found the straps on eBay brand new for about
50% of what they sell for in stores.
Important Notes:
● Since I am seeking donations (thus no taxes), and do not
want to risk my amateur status, I can not offer any service
in return for your donation. However, if you put something
in the "comments" box on the checkout page, I will put
them on my Donations page. Link to your website, leave a
message for a loved one, propose marriage, whatever!
● All donations received will go into a special savings
account until enough is accumulated to actually make some
form of purchase. As I have some avenue to ride right now,
my initial focus will be on purchasing things I need to show,
such as chaps, new spurs, my own saddle, etc.
I am hoping you will trust that I am an honest person who is
simply trying to exercise an ability. This is NOT a "get
rich quick" scheme in any way, shape, or form... I have a
very specific purpose. That said, due to the small amount of
most donations, I will not be able to refund or return
donations. I'm realistic enough to know this may possibly
take me a few years (or longer).
● I will notify all donors periodically of my progress
toward my goal, via email or this site. If you support me,
the least I can do is keep you informed. Your email address
will not be shared or sold in any capacity.
If it had anything to do with horses, I
wanted it. I had horse figurines,
blankets, pictures on my walls, etc. Fortunately my grandparents owned a farm and my aunt
still had two
horses. I was riding by age 3 and used to beg my aunt to
take me out.
