THE ALL AMERICAN CUP   

I HAVE A DREAM . . . . . to put blood and life "back" into the Saddlebred Breeding Industry.

Me and Molly   (1998-2007)

Part of my staff-Lucky is exhausted from working on the AAC Auction,   Hey.....   Taz ain't workin! 

Lucky and Taz taking a break from working on the AAC Auction,  whew!!  it's over..... yeah right  !

The whole family

Jim Aikman

Born in Daviess Co, Indiana January 23, 1929

The Aikman Family founded Hide-A-Way Farms. In 1941 George and Marcella bought Jim his very first American Saddlebred horse.   Hide-A-Way Farms is on the S.E. quadrant of Indianapolis near the small community of Acton.

 Jim entered Pre Vet at Indiana University - 1946.  He became a professional horse trainer in 1950.  Many horses were probably "saved" because of the Korean War when Jim was called to service.  While in the Air Force, he received his most treasured award - The American Spirit Medal of Honor.   Jim was Honorably Discharged in 1954 - and entered the family business - designing and providing Commercial Food Service facilities all over the world. He is a workaholic and not proud of it, made quite a bit of money so he could have horses. - Partnered and buildt one of the finest and largest fine dining restaurants in the midwest - Lost a lot of money. 

Mr. Aikman stood some decent stallions at Hide-A-Way - Cameo Kirby, (Sire of The Lemon Drop Kid), Ridgefield Denmark, Firefly Supreme, and the last stallion he owned, "Wild Country" perished in a fire in 1988.   He also raised and trained a few World Champions.  

Starting in 1966 thru 1989, Jim served 23 years on the Board of the Amerian Saddlebred Horse Assn. and in 1980 thru 1983, he was coerced into the ASHA Presidency by Mr. C.J. Cronan and Tom Morton.  Jim brought in a new and  active board. - A lot of people made a a lot of good things happen.  Changed the name of the Assn.  Changed from a "stock" corporation to an open membership, and moved the Assn. and Museum from Louisville to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

In 1997,  Jim Aikman "thought" he would retire at 68 years,  so he sold the "Aikman Co."  He tried "fishing" - that didn't work - too boring.   Took up "Golf" - lasted 30 days - too bad at it.... He decided to continue training colts - and share 50 years of his experience just teaching people - "Loves every minute of it".

Some of Jim's favorite expressions and philosophies are, "Timing is everything" or "A blind sow gets an acorn every once in awhile".  Now there is one expression he's tired of hearing,  "We ought to ......" and only a few people do anything - Who is "we"?   It takes a unified army to establish a victory.  From Jim's heart comes his philosophy on the importance of The Maternal Influence, he even published a small book on the subject.

Jim forged into the "21st" century with ideas for the growth of the American Saddlebred Industry. In 2002,  one of those ideas  would become the most challenging, frustrating and labor intensive endeavor of his life - 18 hour days - seven days a week and lots of his own money too.....  but Aikman only thinks one way,  "Win Big!".   With that thinking,  the ALL AMERICAN CUP has grown into the largest paying event in American Saddlebred History. 

So, 4 years pass.  It is October 2006 and he realizes that there are 6 hours remaining, so he has taken on another project that has been one of those "We ought to....".  Jim began interviewing every horse Owner, Trainer, Breeder with his camcorder that he could get to sit still.   This endeavor is called "Jim Aikman Interviews ....." and they are becoming quite the collectors item. 

It is now 2007,  The ALL AMERICAN CUP has grown by leaps and bounds and Jim is still going strong....... he loves his family.  Jim has a son, James W. Aikman, a Doctor of Music Composition, a composer of classical and popular music and he has his own website. (www.aikmanmusic.com) James and his lovely wife Deanna have 3 children and they all reside in Michigan. 

Jim has a daughter, Jennifer who graduated from one of the largest schools in Indiana as Valedictorian.  She attended Oberlin Colleg to be a Pediatrician.  Contracted Encephalomyelitis causing vision problems ending that intended career.  When well, returned to school where she became a Rhodes Scholar candidate.  She married Joel who was a Rhode's Scholar recipient and they have 4 children and reside in Massachuetts.

Jamie, Jim and Jenny