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 Mike McCarty, recipient of the 2006 Zane Schulte Award, is a self-made trainer—he didn't begin cutting until the 1990's and never worked for a trainer. Instead, he learned from others who were willing to share their knowledge and advice. Interestingly, he was the first person in his family to be involved with horses. His hard work, integrity, fairness, and dedication is what others notice about him. Mike and Kim, his wife of 24 years, live outside Fredericksburg with their daughter Ryan Michelle, who is also involved in cutting. He is a past president of the Central Texas Cutting Horse Association and has served as a NCHA director since 2004.
How did you get started and how long have you been training professionally?
My horseshoeing business led me into the cutting horse world. I shod horses for Jim Reno and Leon Harrel. I had an opportunity to purchase a good horse that Kim and I showed in the non-pro. After some success as a non-pro, people began approaching me to show and train their horses. I have been a professional trainer for 12 years.
What do you feel is your greatest responsibility as a professional trainer (in general as a career) in terms of service?
My greatest responsibility has to be to constantly learn more and improve my skills as a trainer and coach. It is also my responsibility to be honest and fair to my customers by developing their skills and having their horses prepared for them to show.
As a trainer, what have been your highest "highs" and lowest "lows" in your career?
 I guess the typical answer would be about the wins and losses in the show pen. The Zane Schulte Award is definitely a "high." I felt very honored to be recognized by my peers as a trainer. So many great hands have had an influence on my training program; with their help and guidance, I felt accepted as a good hand.
The "lows" would be the nature of the cutting horse training business. When you put your heart and soul into a horse or a person, it is disappointing when they chose a different route.
What's the most important advice you can offer Non-pros
Find a trainer that you respect and trust. There are a lot of factors that go into making a winning team: the right horse for you and your goals, the level in which you want to compete, etc. Communication is the key to any good working relationship. But remember, there are no short cuts. Hard work and practice make a winning team.
What's the most important advice you can offer other trainers?
We all get wrapped up in what we have to do and sometimes fail to realize that our customers have schedules, too. Try to give everyone the time they need to achieve their goals. Be honest about their horse and their abilities as a rider. This is a tough business to be in, and we can easily fall prey to greed and self-satisfaction. This is something I personally refuse to let happen in my career. Finding a balance in caring about others' success and your own is hard but very important.
How do you pick yourself up when you've had a series of bad runs?
To restore a right frame of mind, I get my best horse out on Monday morning. He will remind me why I love this sport and where I need to focus my attention.
As you look back over the developments of your successful career, what have been your greatest challenges to overcome? How did you do it?
Going into this business without having worked for a trainer has been quite a challenge. I have had the opportunity to have the best hands in the business care enough to guide me along the way. Ellis Randolph told me when I started training that he wasn't sure I had enough time to learn it all, and at the time I wasn't sure what he meant. Now it makes more sense. But I keep watching and learning and showing! Building our facility and making financial ends meet during those lean years while establishing a customer base was a challenge as well. Perseverance was how I did it.
As the recipient of the Zane Schulte Award, you have been recognized for your leadership and service outside of the arena. Tell us a little more about your work outside the arena and what this award means to you personally.
On a personal level, my service to the industry has centered around training and teaching on a broader level. My leadership and service roles have primarily involved being active as a Director and President of several NCHA affiliates and as an Area NCHA Director. I've also served as a director and officer of other horse-related organizations. Personally, it has given me direction and encouragement in confirming my niche in this business.
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