Testimonies

The story on how God helped in order to find the horse that best matched me, would have to had start when i first met a women named Shala Martin Smalley. We found her in one of their brochures that they had out. So, we went to meet her and the first thing i thought is this women has a BIG heart. Shala along with Sherman (the shermanator) both helped me when i needed to know what it felt like to ride again. When i first started Barrel Racing, i wasnt very sure on how i was going to do. But when i met Shala and Sherman i knew that i now had a very NEW Passion. There was one other person who also helped me figure out that i definately wanted to do this. This person was God. I always complained on how i didnt have a horse and that i thought i would never find a horse that best suited ME! But with the help of Shala, my parents, shermy and most importantly GOD, i got through the training and was off to my first NBHA. The first thing i told to sherman before we ran our run is Sherman do this for Yourself to show that you still have it. And once again do it for me and GOD, and all the people who helped me get here. So then after i got done whispering this sentence into his ear, I gave him a kick and off we were. We then got a 22 sec. that day and people were surprised. i myself was surprised on how sherman did that good. You know it is pretty cool being a barrel racer. I think it is the special thing that God picked out for me to do. You know my second barrel race i was thankful that God made such good people in the world. If He had not then i would have been sitting at home that day. You see Sherman hurt his leg from being off like a week, and by the time it was time for my second barrel race, i could no longer ride him. So the loving Shala did what she is good at doing and that is knowing every body. She sent out an e-mail asking people if i could borrow their horses to ride in my big race. Well we got a ton of emails saying that i could use their horses. Well this real nice lady that i knew i have met before named Sandy let me ride her horse Wrap, a beautiful black and white gelding. I was so thankful for her and God and Shala. They all worked so hard just to let me ride in my big Race. Me and Wrap ended up getting along very well. We waited our turn in the race and turned the HEAT on. WE got 19 secs. and ended up getting 1st in the 12 and under class... I was so excited i still till this day i cannot thank Sandy enough for letting me ride her beautiful horse. (Thanks AGAIN!) But then from the very first day i started riding in barrel racing i always prayed and talked to GOD telling him how much i wanted a horse of my own. Till the day of june like 25 i prayed and talked and prayed and talked to God on and on. How i needed a horse. But then i was off to my dads and i was still praying. Until the one day that i had gotten a phone call from my mother telling me that they had finally got me a barrel horse named Rusty. I screamed in HAPPINESS that i had finally got one. Shala was like i told you so i told you that GOD has given you a gift and that He had a special horse picked out for you. And that is the story on how wonderful GOD is on giving me these wonderful people and horses and their loving hearts in order to get me through not having a horse of my own. I can not thank them enough once again for their kindness and generosity. Thanks Again To all those people. Shala, mom, dad, and Sandy and all those other people. Carlie!