A few weeks ago, Kelly Lind of Kearney, Nebraska had a profound reminder of why she became a horse trainer. During this time of year, it is easy to lose sight of why we started showing horses–not for what they can win for us, but how they can emotionally enrich our lives for the better.
Lind, who has been an assistant trainer for Jim and Sandy Jirkovsky of J/S Training the past five years, had the honor of meeting 18 year-old Thomas Fisher. Fisher is an exceptional young man who had the desire to ride a horse for the first time.
But first–we need to learn a little bit more about Thomas and how he crossed paths and visited J/S Training in Kearney, Nebraska.
On December 6, 1994, Thomas joined the Fisher family as a two month-old foster child. As a newborn, Thomas received traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from physical abuse and was hospitalized for a week. Because of the TBI’s, Thomas was both physically and mentally handicapped. At the age of 18 months, he suffered a stroke that impaired his right side. Three years after taking Thomas in as their foster child, the Fisher family adopted the adorable little boy.
According to his mom, as a result of his stroke, Thomas wears leg braces which help him walk and participate in all of the activities he enjoys. A senior at Kearney High School, Thomas loves his teachers and friends. Every week, he receives speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy which enable him to participate in extracurricular activities like bowling and golf with his dad as well as school activities.
His mother, Judy told GoHorseShow that her son has long expressed a desire to ride a horse. Every time they would drive on Cottonmill Road, Thomas would see the stables and want to stop.
“Thomas’ dad approached trainer, Jim Jirkovsky, the owner of J/S Training and asked if it would be possible for Thomas to ride a horse. Jim agreed and took Thomas out for his first ride.
“Because of his disabilities, we had to use a step stool and lots of extra help from the people at the stables, but we finally got him on a horse,” Judy recalls. “It did take a little prodding to get him on the horse. Jim and Kelly led him around the arena and he was thrilled. When we were finished, he, of course, didn’t want to get off. Riding the horse is now a topic of conversation with everyone he sees and pictures of him riding went to school. Now, every morning when he gets up, in addition to his usual question, ‘School today?’, he now asks, ‘Ride horse today?'”
For people who don’t know Sandy and Jim Jirkovsky–they have over 40 years of experience in the industry with over 200 World and National Champion Appaloosa Horses.
According to Kelly Lind, Sandy and Jim believe that, “Champions are not made in the arena, they are merely recognized there, which is a testament to them,” Lind states. “Thomas’ story is what J/S is all about. No matter what the talent of the horse or the ability of the rider, it is about making the dreams of others come true.”
Lind said that it was an easy choice to pick the horse that Thomas had the opportunity to ride. Rock Solid Zippo (Rocky) is a multi-world and national champion Appaloosa which is owned by 12 year-old, Audrey Worthing.
“He is one of those horses that just knows who is on him,” Lind states.”He has carried people of all ages through his amazing career and the ones he needs to teach, he does, and the ones he needs to take care of, he does.”
Lind adds, “There is just something about a horse that gives us an inner peace. They are amazing animals….over a 1000 pounds and they let us teach and mold them to do what we want them to do, and they seem to know when that special person is on them.”
What stood out to Lind about meeting Thomas was that, “As horse trainers, we all get caught up in the horse show world and forget why we actually wanted to be horse trainers–for the love of the horse.”
“Thomas reminded me not only about all of that but to remember how lucky I am to do what I do because it can all be gone in an instant,” Lind reflects. “This was one of my most rewarding experiences as a horse trainer. Thomas will always hold a special spot in my heart and he will be one of those stories that I will tell when I can’t get on a horse anymore.”
Thomas’ mom also says that she plans on getting Thomas out to the stables again and on “his” horse real soon!
