Veteran Cowboy Adam Rowland
continued from page 10
Today, with over a year’s worth of practice,
Rowland and Kent are a respected pair in
RSNC competitions here in Arizona. “The
adrenaline starts going when I follow Kent
into the pen and they close the gate behind
me. Shooter and I know what time it is. Kent
reiterates to stay calm and don’t go too fast.
I’m chomping at the bit for them to call the
number and so is Shooter. I just keep telling
myself don’t go dirty and just stick with the
game plan. Anytime I go sorting is the best
day for me. I want to go fast but know I need
to stay in a controlled state”.
I have trained. I’ve also put in an application
through Wounded Warriors to go to Camp
Rowland consistently proves he has what it
Braveheart to train wild mustangs this
takes. In December the blind sorter finished
summer. I was like, heck yeah, sign me up”!
2nd in the Beginner Ranch Hand Sorting at
the Arizona State RSNC Finals. And he was
Adam Rowland is grateful for the many
also unanimously voted “Arizona’s #1 Ranch
good-hearted people, like Cave Creek’s Kent
Sorting Champion”. On a recent trip back
and Janice Story, who are there to let him be
to Oklahoma, he made a discovery about
able to dream again. And when I ask what
his cowboy talents: “I went with my family
Adam Rowland with Wayne Pacheco others can do to assist him, he shares that he
to the Cowboy Hall of Fame and there was
is seeking sponsors for feed, gas and tack in
my great granddad and his dad from the
pen he’s methodical and steady. He never
order to compete in future events. “If I could
Spur Ranch in Texas. It’s in my blood, I just gets flustered and proves how team
sit in the same saddle every time it would be
didn’t know it”!
communication is a critical part of a
great”. His future plans may be lofty but I’m
successful run. He’s also a constant reminder convinced with the help of others, there’s no
He tells me how horses and ranch sorting
of the value this sport offers all of us.
stopping this veteran cowboy.
are filling a critical void in his life: “This has Watching him work with Kent Story is a
been my saving grace. I used to think what’s magical experience.
Kimmie Dillon
left for me? What can I ever do now? Is my
competes as a ranch
life over? This has really lit a fire under me
sorter in Arizona.
The blind sorter is not letting his disability
and given me purpose. If someone told
The mother of 4 enjoys
affect his vision for a bright future. In June,
me I could never ride again, I would be
sorting with her 7 yearfellow sorters will have the opportunity to
devastated. Some days I just wrap my arms
old daughter along
experience his abilities at the RSNC World
around my horse’s neck and hug him.”
with writing inspiring
Finals in Ft Worth, TX. “My goal is to win
stories about horses.
1st place at Nationals”.