A Story of HOPE!

This story actually has 2 beginnings: The first takes place with a young girl named Windy. Windy loved horses & had started riding at a farm called Ravenwood in southwest Florida. This farm belonged to Kevin & Mary Eufemia.

Years had passed, as Windy moved from South Florida, started a family of her own in Ohio.

The second beginning starts with Hope, Windy’s daughter who was diagnosed Jan 12, 2005 with Leukemia while the family was still residing in Ohio. The discovery of the leukemia started an 11 day stay in the hospital where Hope went through painful diagnostic testing and then treatment procedures. During the following months Hope had weekly spinal taps and several bone marrow aspirations. Windy said that through all of these procedures Hope’s spirit remained strong and positive. In March good news arrived, Hope was in remission and considered a rapid responder to all the chemo treatments.

Hope began riding in October that year, always talking about someday having a white pony of her own.

Wendy and her kids then found out that they would be moving back to South Florida, Wendy needed to find a farm for her own 4 year old mare. Wendy was able to return to Ravenwood where she once had ridden as a child.

Upon moving to Florida and reuniting with Ravenwood, Windy discovered that there was a white pony residing on the farm. Hope started riding that pony, but the pony found a new home.

Windy shared Hope’s wishes  about having a white pony of her own with Kevin & Mary. Then in Dec of 2006 Hope had to be hospitalized 2 times. The last time, Hope’s grandmother even flew down as Windy was sure that Hope would not make it through.

During this trying time Kevin & Mary had located “Foxy” a lovely white pony that was to be Hope’s “Dream Come True”.

On Christmas day 2006 Kevin & Mary hooked up their horse trailer, transported Foxy to Hopes home. Foxy being the trooper she is, walked into the backyard, thru the screen door and waited quietly on the patio for Hope to come outside.

Foxy and Hope are now a team, keeping each other company while at the farm. Hope often goes into Foxy’s stall just to have a talk with her. Hope is able to put Foxy’s halter on and take her out to graze all by herself.

A message from Windy:

"Foxy has been amazing, not just for Hope but for me as well. Having a child with Cancer changes you, it changes you from the inside out. Although childhood leukemia is one of the more treatable cancers, I am grateful for each day I have Hope in my life ( and her brother Steven too). To be able to see a dream come true for her has been amazing. I feel like I owe Kevin & Mary so much, I feel like "thank you" just doesn't say enough."

With guidance from Kevin & Mary, Hope and Foxy now compete at local shows in the Leadline division.