Monty Roberts: The Boy Who Refused to Give Up His Dream

Monty Roberts, a successful horse ranch owner in San Isidro, often shares the inspiring story of his life. He opens his home for fundraisers and introduces himself with these words:

“I want to share with you the story of a young boy who taught me the power of holding on to a dream.”

Monty was the son of an itinerant horse trainer. His family constantly moved from one farm, stable, or racetrack to another, which disrupted his schooling. Yet, like all dreamers, Monty held a vision close to his heart: owning a vast horse ranch one day.

One day, his high school teacher assigned the class a project to write about their future goals. That evening, Monty poured his soul into the assignment, penning a seven-page essay detailing his dream. He described his vision with extraordinary clarity, complete with a diagram of a sprawling 200-acre ranch. He even sketched a 4,000-square-foot house and stables that would one day grace the land.

Monty submitted his paper with great anticipation. But when it was returned, he found a bold red F written on the front page, accompanied by the words: “See me after class.”

Confused and disheartened, Monty approached his teacher and asked, “Why did I get an F?”

The teacher replied bluntly, “Your dream is unrealistic. You come from an itinerant family with no money or resources. Owning a horse ranch requires vast wealth—land, breeding stock, and stud fees. It’s simply impossible for someone like you. Rewrite your paper with a more realistic goal, and I’ll reconsider your grade.”

Monty left the classroom that day conflicted. At home, he sought his father’s advice. His father, though supportive, told him, “This is a decision only you can make. It’s your dream.”

After much thought, Monty made his choice. A week later, he resubmitted the same paper, unchanged. Alongside it, he wrote: “You can keep the F. I’ll keep my dream.”

Years passed. Monty’s unwavering belief and relentless hard work turned his dream into reality. Today, Monty owns a 200-acre horse ranch with the very 4,000-square-foot house he once drew on that school paper. That paper is now framed and hangs proudly above the fireplace in his home.

Monty adds one final twist to the story: “Two summers ago, my former teacher visited my ranch with a group of kids. Before leaving, he admitted something to me. He said, ‘Monty, back then, I was a dream stealer. I discouraged many kids from following their dreams. But I’m so glad you didn’t let me steal yours.’”

Moral of the Story:

Never let anyone steal your dreams. Your aspirations may seem impossible to others, but with determination, belief, and hard work, you can achieve them. No dream is too big or too small—what matters is the courage to pursue it.