05/20/2021
Dark Horse has only been in operation since Feb 1, 2021, but its roots go back to 1982, Charles Allen founded Foothills Karate Studio. Coincidentally, it was just two doors down in the same plaza from where Dark Horse is now. Over the years, FKS expanded from a handful of people training in Chuck Norris's Chun K*k Do Karate into the largest CKD school in the country with more than 300 students. It became a close-knit family of well-trained, talented, respectful martial arts practitioners with roots in boxing, kickboxing, BJJ, Copeira, wrestling, and other styles, and in the late '90's Footlhills Karate became the Ultima. People came for the training. They stayed for the people that became family. Once Charles sold the Ultima and moved away, it continued to thrive under varied leadership, but as often happens, people have different ideas about how things should go, egos clashed, and the school fragmented. In 2020, the Covid-19 shutdown threatened the continued existence of the almost 40-year old training center. It was hard to watch it go, and I was very hesitant to even try to start my own program, but I decided only to let the name Ultima go, and keep alive what was most important - the spirit of the Ultima. Solid, evidence-training in a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere. Technique, drills, exercises, curriculum will all change over time, but the atmosphere at Dark Horse will be the one constant. No gym bullies. No bad attitudes. Just a group of dedicated and disciplined people looking to make each other better one day at a time. Get in here and train!
