A lot has happened in the five years since we wrote a feature article about Aaron Moses of Saco, Maine. In 2012, Moses was working as an assistant trainer for Gil Galyean. However, this past year has been a significant turning point in his career. After careful consideration, Aaron went out on his own and started his training operation in Collinsville, Texas.
Throughout the 2017 show season, Moses quickly gained momentum and a reputation as a major contender in the western pleasure pen. Aaron won several western pleasure futurities with multiple horses including, Its A Pretty Thing. Also, last month, he had four Congress Championships in some of the toughest western pleasure classes at the show – The Masters Two-Year-Old Western Pleasure, The $10,000 Maturity Western Pleasure, Maiden Two-Year-Old Western Pleasure and Senior Western Pleasure.
When we asked the 26-year-old what it was like to do so well his first year out on his own, he stated, “It’s an incredible feeling and I am very thankful. I hoped for the best and just focused on preparing my horses as best as I could. I have learned that having quality people around you is worth more than the best horses or the most money.”
As far as advice Aaron would give other young trainers, “First of all, you have to have the work ethic to do whatever it takes to be successful. Don’t expect to be given any opportunities that you don’t earn and always surround yourself with successful people to help you and teach you. Don’t think you can figure it out on your own. Most of the top professionals in the industry are on the look out for good help. Don’t be afraid to go talk to them; it could be a career-changing opportunity.”
And that’s precisely how Moses ended up working for Gil Galyean. When Aaron was 17, he had a resume and a list of the Top 10 trainers in the industry and went around trying to meet with them. Luckily, Aaron connected with Gil and that’s when he went to work for him. “Ever since I was little I wanted to be a cowboy,” says Aaron. “I was the only one of my siblings who caught the horse bug, but I love everything about the lifestyle.”
Moses is the oldest of four boys and his mother, Bianca Moses, was very influential in his life when he was growing up. As a single mother, Bianca never let the challenges of raising four children on her own get her down or prevent her from finding a way to support her children. Moses homeschooled all her children which is quite common these days but not as much over a decade ago.
“If my children were passionate about something, I tried never to let our lack of finances stop them from pursuing their dreams. Aaron’s love was horses. I got him a pony when he was nine-years-old named, Crystal, and he saved every penny of his money to purchase his first quarter horses when he was twelve for $2,000,” says Bianca. “I remember driving my 1963 Terry Camper and old pickup truck to the shows at three in the morning with all the kids packed in to head to the horse shows. I drove like 35 mph white-knuckled to the fairgrounds hoping we would get there okay. Aaron will probably kill me for telling you this but he was quite good in the showmanship, and he made the finals at Congress when he was sixteen with a little mare named, My Magnolia Breeze. He did quite well with horses that weren’t that talented because he was such a showman.”
Aaron had limited contact with his father growing up, and his mother says that horse trainers, Al Dube and Gil Galyean, have been significant father figures in her son’s life. “My son lived at Al’s farm throughout his childhood. Al didn’t have any children, so he treated Aaron like his own,” says Bianca, who beams when talking about her son. “They taught him so much. I’m eternally grateful to both of them. And numerous other people believed in him and came alongside him over the years. Horse people are the best.”
Bianca adds, “I hope that others would be encouraged by Aaron’s success. Sometimes, we give up on ourselves before we even try. We could have thrown away all of Aaron’s dreams because it was too expensive or didn’t seem possible. Many times it didn’t, but circumstances don’t need to dictate our path. I can’t remember a time when Aaron didn’t want to be a cowboy. This is his journey, and his girlfriend, Courtney Chown, is a huge part of that journey. They make an amazing team, and I’m so proud of them both.”
We would like to congratulate Aaron on an amazing show season so far and wish him the best of luck at the AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City.
Photos courtesy of Shane Rux, Bianca Moses, GoHorseShow, Courtney Chown
