Mark Updike

Mark Robert Updike was born in 1966 an was orphaned at birth. he was adopted and fostered to many homes throughout his teens. Mark was placed in the Florida Sheriffs boy's ranch where he turned 18. he still had his senior year to go but could not stay at the ranch past 18 years of age. he stayed with a friend for a little while and then stayed with the school principal until graduation. having no options Mark went into the United States Marine Corp where he served honorably as an infantry rifleman and a battalion water safety survival instructor. When Mark got out of the Marines he headed to NY where he found himself working at a race horse farm. He learned he had a skill with the spirited horses. That was not enough for mark as he entered a rodeo participating in bareback bronc riding and bull riding. Mark covered his 8 seconds on the bucking horse but got planted quickly by the bull. He was determined to keep trying those bull's. after a couple years of getting crushed while in Arizona Mark focused on a real job, Environmental & Geotechnical Inspections. he did this successfully until all work dried up in 2006. he started breaking horses to pay his rent. He had traveled across the country learning and practicing his skill until he found a good spot to settle down and hope there was enough horse work to keep him busy. He has been in Florida now for four years and is going strong.