ALL AMERICAN CUP - About Us
I HAVE A DREAM. .
to put blood and life "back" into the
Saddlebred Breeding Industry
Jim Aikman
Born in Daviess Co., Indiana, January 23,1929
The Aikman family founded Hide-A-Way
Farms. Hide-A-Way Farms is on the S.E.
quadrant of Indianapolis near the small
community of Acton. In 1941, George and
Marcella bought Jim his very first American
Saddlebred horse.
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 built 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 American
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 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, Four years pass. It is October 2006 and
he realizes that there are about 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. The
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 College
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.
I HAVE A DREAM. .
to put blood and life "back" into the
Saddlebred Breeding Industry
Jim Aikman
Born in Daviess Co., Indiana, January 23,1929
The Aikman family founded Hide-A-Way
Farms. Hide-A-Way Farms is on the S.E.
quadrant of Indianapolis near the small
community of Acton. In 1941, George and
Marcella bought Jim his very first American
Saddlebred horse.
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 built 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 American
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 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, Four years pass. It is October 2006 and
he realizes that there are about 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. The
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 College
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 Jennifer
Part of my staff - Lucky is worn out
from working on the AAC Auction
- Hey, Taz ain't workin !
from working on the AAC Auction
- Hey, Taz ain't workin !
Taz & Lucky put in long
hours on the AAC
Auction preparation
hours on the AAC
Auction preparation
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