American Run Training Center

06/10/2025

Update on the road to recovery:

As of May 19, I was able to start walking in a walking boot. Well that went okay for about a week. It was uncomfortable and flat hurting my whole foot. Made that phone call to the ortho expecting to be given a different but better fitting support boot only to be told ah forget the boot you don't need it. 🙄😶okay....

They would send me to PT after my next apt end of June "if" I needed it.... um if??? Okay forget that. Took matters into my own hands and called up Inspire health and performance. It cost me because he doesn't accept insurance but it's well worth the money. I have made progress just in the week since seeing him.

I'm grateful to be on light duty at work though I'm reminded that this 8-5 5 days a week is NOT the lifestyle for me.

This has been a heck of a journey from something that was purely an accident and could have happened to literally anyone that stepped a foot in the saddle. It's not been easy. Thank goodness for Lakota Swope in keeping up with the farm and keeping me sane.

Any interest in lessons please send me a message as im hoping to start in by mid July offering them and helping people from the ground.

For now, I'm going to keep smiling and working on building myself back up to the go getter I always have been.

04/21/2025

Good news!!

They were able to complete my skin graft last Monday. On Friday we were able to see it for the first time. The doctors all say it is looking great. The swelling also has gone down quite a bit since the placement of the muscle graft.

Another week or so and I think I will have reached the top of the mountain and start to slowly make my way down. It is going to be a bit rocky I'm sure, but I have faith in myself and my mind that I'll get back to doing all the things I love.

There have been some beautiful riding days that I have missed out on. Then there are days like this weekend that make me happy to be inside.

Injuries like this are tough. Tough on the mind, tough physically and emotionally. The support from family and friends has been nothing short of miraculous. I know the mental aspect of getting back in the saddle could be challenging. The longer I'm out though, the more I miss every moment I've not been able to be with my horses. Every day is one step closer though. Hope everyone had a great Easter!

04/11/2025

Hello all training center fans!! I needed to update everyone on the twists and turns this foot injury has taken since my last update in Feb.
The wound was not healing properly and became infected. Luckily the infection was minimal. It was taken care of with oral meds. When I was diagnosed with the infection, my trauma surgeon jumped into action. Within a week, I was scheduled for surgery number 2 with a plastic surgeon, Dr Max (Thrive), from Ft Worth. He flew here to wichita to debride (clean out) my wound of all the low quality tissue.

The pins were taken out of my foot during this surgery to find that the big toe joint was not stable and the third toe had still not been addressed. A foot specialist, Dr Childs, was called in. I was then scheduled for back to back surgeries number 3 and 4. March 27th my big toe was fused with a plate and a pin was inserted into my third toe. Funny enough this pin doesn't hurt at all. I believe the second toe on always have me trouble bc the third metatarsal was pushing on that pinned area! March 28th a flap procedure was done. A piece of thigh muscle was taken and placed on the big toe side of my foot. The flap is huge! It goes from my toe to my heel. It's about 2.5" across and raised 3/4" from my skin. It looks like a kc strip on my foot. I have had a drain in my thigh since the surgery. My loving wife has become a nurse by changing my bandages daily.

I have one or two more surgeries to go. On Monday they will clean up the flap. If all is well with it, they will graft skin from my thigh to cover this piece of muscle on my foot. If it's not ready, they will graft the skin in a few weeks.

I anticipate being able to start therapy and weight bearing at the end of May. This has been a hell of a process! We do feel grateful to have such a wonderful team of surgeons who want the best outcome for me possible.

What is to become of ARTC going forward??? I know many have asked if I'll ever ride again.
The answer is YES. I honestly cannot imagine my life without being in the saddle. I've got goals that I have yet to achieve in the futurity world!!!

That being said, we will be much more picky about any horse that comes into this program. Only current or former clients will be considered. Timing will depend on how long it takes me to come back. I plan to go slow with our own horses and a few very good friends/ clients horses. I'm not going to rush myself into it. My mental needs are at the forefront. We know I will come back better than ever!

We also will be going more towards giving lessons again. I'm excited to take the time again to help those with their own horses get on track for barrels, obstacles or developing your skills to become the best you can be for your horse. We are hoping to get a bit more involved with the Wild Horse Youth Challenge contenders as well.

Thank you everyone for your support through these challenging times. Special thanks to my clients who have been the most understanding and supportive of our program.

I have not posted pics bc frankly many wont be able to look at it. If you are curious to see, don't hesitate to ask!

02/12/2025

Injury Alert!!
It hasn't just happened once, but now twice. I have been injured in horse related accidents. Last Sept, I was bucked off one causing my right elbow dislocation. Dec 21 I was finally able to go back to the fire station and start riding. The elbow was sore but coming along great.
We were getting plans together with our clients on the futurity horses. All that came to a halt on Jan 26th, when i sustained another injury. One of the horses I was riding slipped out from under herself, falling on her and my right side. Somehow it broke my 3 toes and pushed my first metarsal out of my skin, an open fracture. I also have an avulsion to my ankle.
I was taken to KMC then transported by ambulance to Wesley. They put me out somewhat, to stabilize my foot. The next day I had surgery to pin my toes and suture up the area my bone had come through. They were very worried that this wound would not heal well due to it being on a boney area. If it doesn't close properly, plastic surgery would be in my future.

17 days post injury is today. The wound specialist seems to think I will heal up well. Pins will be in another 2-3 weeks most likely (they are the biggest cause of any pain). I haven't been given much of an estimate on when I'm going to get back to riding and working yet but I don't think it will be much before may 1.

The mental toll this has taken on me has been the worst part. One always knows with horses it's not a matter of if but when and how bad. So I expect to be injured at times. Back to back injures had me doubting my life and what I was doing with myself. My purpose on this earth is to communicate with these horses so this has really made me look deep inside myself. What was or is this telling me? We all say things happen for a reason, but what's the reason. Maybe I'll never know.

Thank you is never going to be enough to show our gratitude to our clients who have stuck with us through this all. Without their support, we would be in a lot darker place. They have been the light at the end of our tunnel.

Stay safe out there!

Pics below in comments!

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01/21/2025

Hope everyone is fairing well with this cold weather. Temperatures like this can be exhausting, especially if you don't have the best cold weather amenities (heated water buckets, close hydrants, thawed hoses, water trough heaters, warm enough clothing.... the list goes on). Even when you think you are prepared for conditions like this, things still happen. We had one of our diesels gel up. First time for everything I suppose....

In the past, I've thought it was a badge of honor to ride horses in weather like this. Look at me, nothing can stop me. I will get your horse ridden no matter what. I was younger, didn't have kids, and looking back, was probably a bit foolish (as I recollect taking an hour to drive a normally 15 min drive home from an arena sliding all over the icy road). In all truth, I would usually stop riding for clients in the winter... Nov- March because it really didn't benefit anyone. Three years in a row I was invited to compete in the Mustang Magic. This show was and still is held in January at the FWSSR. I couldn't possibly compete against those from Arizona, Texas and Cali without riding during the did months in Kansas. There I always was bundled up getting it done.

Fast forward to now, here comes the opportunity to train futurity horses, here comes my foolishness. One knows you can't go without riding for so long and make a good futurity horse. So alas, here I am mad at the world because I can't ride these horses. I should be riding these horses right?? These few cold spells have me angry at the world and angry at myself. I've got goals! They aren't getting accomplished! Grumpy every night, my poor wife stuck with me acting as if life was falling apart.

Well the past couple days, I've finally been able to make peace with myself. I'm not riding and that's all there is to say about it. The indoor arena was closed, the ground is frozen (all my horses are tiptoeing around) and the roads still have slippery ice on them. What benefit would it be to our clients and horses? In my opinion, for our program, it would be a waste of a client's money. I also understand there are those in climates much worse. They have the proper things to get horses rode in this weather. For now, we will let the horses keep warm, eat all the hay they want, make sure they are drinking plenty and get to riding when it's safer for both of us. Stay safe and don't feel bad if you can't ride, we will get to it soon enough.

12/30/2024

Next up, Ruthie! Ruthie is about to be 4. Tammy, Ruthie's owner, bred and raised this fine young lady. Ruthie came in to get started early 2024, went home for a rest while we worked on some others and now she's back with us to start her career.

We were just starting to lope the pattern in Sept when we had to sideline for Stephanie's injury. Ruthie is in Select Stallion Stakes. Hoping to make some of these futurities, we all have high hopes and dreams for this athletic girl.

She loves to hug people. She loves HER people and will protect them from any animal that tries to get near them. She's sassy with a lot of try. When we started to lope those barrels, I could tell she is going to take her job seriously.

Keep your eyes open for progression videos and pictures of her fun personality. She might be up for grabs in the future.

We thank Tammy for her trust in our program and giving us the opportunity to work with such a talented mare.

12/24/2024

We would like to thank all of our clients, friends, and followers. Without all of your love and support, this business wouldn't be what it is today. We hope everyone gets to spend time with those they love. Have a Merry Christmas!!

Ruthie and Trapper. (Stay tuned for info on these two futurity horses!)

Piggy Milton... we just don't have horses around here 😆😅 (this guy was a rescue that we aquired in June. We were told he was 10 years old. He was quite scary at first but has since decided we are his people, specifically Steph. He enjoys eating horse feed, grumbling at the horses, eating piggy pellets, and being an all around grumpy old man 👴)

12/03/2024

ARTC is taking a turn! For years, I have been wanting to get into the futurity game. I've wished for horses that I could take from the ground up through their futurity and possibly derby year. The clients and friends that have helped build our business over the years, have finally brought us to that stage. We will be introducing you to horses that have been here and that we will be running in the foreseeable future. We should have 3 running in 2026 and 4-5 in 2027, including one of our own each year.

Meet Cappones Hitman! He is by Al Cappone out of the grey mare we used to own, Dustin off Smoke. Many of you in the area are familiar with her. Our very first home grown c**t for futurities with all the big incentives. We will be starting him shortly so stay tuned!

08/05/2024

It's been hot so we've been hanging with piggies, giving midday kisses and doing some night riding here. This pali is an Mp Hot Hayday. She is so fun. Can't wait to get her on barrels one day.

Do your best to stay cool. Everyone I've talked to is having a hard time after so many days of the heat. I've personally had heat exhaustion a few times so my body can't take the heat like it used to. Some days are just working too keep everyone cool. Keep yourself hydrated, keep your horses hydrated.

07/24/2024

Yes we are still busy training!
Our daughter decided she wanted to do a little training on her own. There have been tears but she's learning that they don't come made to ride. Mom puts a lot of hard work into getting one started.
In Cataryna's words "It looks so easy but it's really not. It looks easy on the outside, but on the inside it's really hard!"
I wouldn't say what I do is hard for me anymore, but I do forget that I make it look so easy. Many times as a trainer, the things I do are muscle memory. She sure is helping to remind me, it's not so easy all the time. Love being able to teach her a little bit.