Interview with Vanessa Derickson Crowe, October 27, 2006

Partial Transcript: Okay, this is Kim Lady Smith.

Segment Synopsis: Crowe introduces herself and describes her family as well as how she was born in Stanton, Kentucky. She discusses the different locations that she and her family lived at and how they arrived at their family farm. She also describes many of the activities that they did on the farm. She describes in detail her family, especially her grandmother, and she tells of their interactions.

Keywords: Family; Farms; Horse industry; Horses

Subjects: Childhood; Families.; Family farms; Horse industry; Horses

Partial Transcript: Um, uh, now that would have--your dad said that he started with the horses in '65?

Segment Synopsis: Crowe discusses her dad's various jobs and businesses that he was involved with during her childhood before settling in the horse industry. She says that he was good at a lot of things, but he really loved horses so he settled on that. She describes how her grandmother helped her dad begin his business.

Keywords: Family; Farms; Fathers; Grandmothers; Horse industry; Horses

Subjects: Childhood; Families.; Family farms; Horse industry; Horses

Partial Transcript: Now what about you?

Segment Synopsis: Crowe discusses how she first became interested in horses as a child. She says that she had a pony as a child, as did some of her other family members. She says that she became interested then. She describes how they did barrel racing and other riding activities.

Keywords: Family; Farms; Horses

Subjects: Childhood; Families.; Family farms; Horses

Partial Transcript: Now you went to school here in Stanton?

Segment Synopsis: Crowe discusses where she went to school throughout her childhood. She then describes how she went to Western Kentucky University and was a part of the pom-pom squad and competed and won many competitions. She also discussed being part of the equine program at WKU. She then describes how she met her husband and when they got married. She also talks about her husband and his background.

Keywords: Family; Married; Schools; Western Kentucky University

Subjects: Childhood; Education; Education, Higher; Families.; Marriage

Partial Transcript: And now he is a promotional director, uh, for United Mountain Horse where I became executive director after two years of part-timing.

Segment Synopsis: Crowe discusses her employment history as well as her own business endeavors. She talks about working for the Kentucky Board of Education before working for the United Mountain Horse Association. She also talks about how she started her own small breeding business of Mountain horses. She then tells the story of how she sold her horse, Walking Dream, at the horse's first show.

Keywords: Employment; Horse breeding; Horse industry; Horses; Jobs; Occupations; Walking Dream (Show horse); Working

Subjects: Horse breeding; Horse industry; Horses

Partial Transcript: Now I don't think that we've gotten your husband's name on tape.

Segment Synopsis: Crowe describes her husband, Robert Bruce Crowe, and his background before becoming involved with horses with her. She says that he had never ridden a horse until he met her. She says that he spent time working for a construction company in Lexington as well as becoming a farrier. She then describes her children and their hobbies and interests. She says that her son never got into horses but he loved basketball. She says that her daughter loves horses and competed extensively in riding and show competitions throughout her youth. She also talks about her nephew and how he was terrified of horses before learning to love them.

Keywords: Children; Daughters; Employment; Family; Horse industry; Horses; Husbands; Jobs; Nephews; Occupations; Sons

Subjects: Families.; Horse industry; Horses

Partial Transcript: Now let's go back to the business that you--

Segment Synopsis: Crowe discusses starting Wilder Will Farm with her husband, aunt, and uncle. She says that they all vacationed to Hawaii together and that is where they decided to start a farm in which they bred horses. She also describes her involvement with the United Mountain Horse Association and the promotion of the various Mountain horse breeds. She also discusses how she promoted the Mountain horse breed at various horse shows as well as producing brochures and cards and various expos. She describes how they have grown substantially into various regions across the United States and how they promote certain breeding tactics.

Keywords: Farms; Horse breeding; Horse industry; Horse shows; Horses; Mountain horses; United Mountain Horse Association

Subjects: Family farms; Horse industry; Horse-shows; Horses

Partial Transcript: What do you see the future of the Mountain Horse, particularly in Kentucky?

Segment Synopsis: Crowe discusses the future of the Mountain Horse in Kentucky. She says that she sees struggles and difficulties to continue. She says that she also sees success and for the breed to continue to grow. She says that she hopes for further advocating for the Mountain Horse breed.

Keywords: Farms; Horse industry; Horse shows; Horses; Mountain horses

Subjects: Family farms; Horse industry; Horse-shows; Horses; Mountain horses

Partial Transcript: I was interested--I read in the paper where in their working on this horse count, that, um, uh, they were wondering if the Mountain horses--they were beginning to feel the Mountain horses might outnumber Thoroughbreds.

Segment Synopsis: Crowe discusses the growing number of Mountain Horses in Kentucky and how they may outnumber Thoroughbreds. She also says that both horses come from the original stock. She discusses the origins of the Mountain Horse.

Keywords: Farms; Horse industry; Horse shows; Horses; Mountain horses; Thoroughbreds

Subjects: Family farms; Horse industry; Horse-shows; Horses

Partial Transcript: Let's close this interview with, uh, what your feelings are about--you're fairly young to be looking back on your life and wondering what was the most important thing about working with horses, but do you think you can reflect on that?

Segment Synopsis: Crowe reflects on her life and the impact that working with horses has had on her. She says that she would not change a thing about her life and how she was able to spend a lot of time with her family because of working with horses.

Keywords: Farms; Horse industry; Horse shows; Horses; Mountain horses

Subjects: Families.; Family farms; Horse industry; Horse-shows; Horses