ADAM BLACK of Adam Black Horsemanship of Ohio
The Appalachian Trainer Face Off feature Trainer: Adam Black of Adam Black Horsemanship
HOP has asked each of the trainers taking part this year to tell YOU about themselves. We asked for some of their personal favorite photos to share with you, as well.
Adam is our second featured trainer, and we will share more trainers as they get their photos and write ups to us.
We encourage you to Share these trainers, like their pages and keep them in mind whenever you are looking for training, lessons and/or a clinician for an event. We recommend and everyone of these awesome folks
From Adam:
“I was introduced to horses as a child by my grandpa, Dale Williams. A horse enthusiast himself, it was no surprise I followed in his foot steps.
Growing up, the grandkids were all started on rotten little ponies, which undoubtedly made me the rider I am today. If you can sit a rotten pony, you can just about it anything! I can remember the days where we would ride sun up to sun down and not think anything of it, no former training, no lessons, just good country fun with the ones we loved.
Fast forward a few years when I gain a little more knowledge and a little money, I finally bought my first horse, a 17hh bay Belgian cross mare out of a slaughter pen. Still not knowing the ins and outs of training, I began a process that would open so many doors. Just broke to the trail, Rose was a gem and I couldn’t ask for a better partner to start my journey. After a few years of riding, I was fortunate to add another Belgian cross to the herd. JJ, a ornery, mischievous, and full of energy Belgian/ haflinger cross gelding. This is where the adventure really took off. I had never started a horse before, but thought, “It cant be THAT hard,” the horsemen and women on RFDTV make it look so easy and straight forward!
So every night I would tune into my favorite program and try and remember everything from the episode and then lay in bed all night eager to try it the next morning. JJ was a trooper and took to everything so well. Not only did I train him under saddle, we also learned to drive.
We began to broaden our riding and were introduced to the Ohio Foundation Quarter Horse Association Ranch Horse series, now I know what some may think “A Belgian as a ranch horse?… Well my thoughts as well, but JJ was the horse I had and JJ was the horse I was taking. Turning a few head as I pulled him off the trailer, not many had faith in the big lug, but I knew we could manage. We competed in ranch trail and ranch pleasure, which we did fairly well considering, so well that we were placed 4th in the trail class. After the show, The judge mention to me “ To be honest, when I saw you and the Belgian enter the arena, I thought to myself “Oh here we go” but after you got to the third obstacle, I had to sit up and really pay attention!”That comment sparked the idea that, “maybe I do know what I’m doing?” Still not at a “trainer” status, I set out to accomplish as much as I could with JJ.
Over the next few years we compete in many more shows and competition, one of which that is pretty special, A top 10 finish in the 2015 Ohio Equine Affaire Versatile Horse and Rider competition. A timed obstacle course to test horse and rider’s communication, all the while trying to beat the clock. Fast forward a few more years, I had went to college to become a Veterinary Technician. Completing school, I enter the work force and had the normal 9-5, with weekend off, which was great for horsing around on the weekends, but
I was still missing something. It just wasn’t enough horse time. I stuck with being a technician for a few years and in my spare time, start training a few horses as a part time/something to do job. Getting my feet wet and testing the waters to see if this was something I could actual do for a living. After months and months of thinking, I was still on the fence about it, until I learned about the 3rd Annual Ohio’s Dirt Road to the Horse. This was a 3 day colt starting competition with about 10 hrs of horse and horseman interaction.
I thought to myself , if I do well at this competition, then its meant to be…
I’ll quit my job and I’ll become a horseman. Well, at the end of the weekend, I walked out of the arena with a big smile and the bragging rights that came with winning Ohio’s Dirt Road to the Horse.
It couldn’t have happened at a better time. The news of my win spread like wildfire and by the end of the following week, I had more horses lined up for training than I could have ever imagined. I’m now busier than ever, but because I love what I do, I never work a day in my life. I’d like to thank all the hands involved that help me make a dream come true! Thank you.”
Thank you for sharing, Adam, and ya’ll please follow his journey that will begin with a former feral gelding from a free roaming Ky herd who came to HOP from Kentucky Equine Humane named Dune!
