He’s Back! Banks Ready Returns to the Show Pen This Weekend For First Time Since Accident in 2012
Banks and his father George Ready presenting awards at the 2013 APHA World Show.
By: Brittany Bevis
Our readers will certainly remember the inspiring story of longtime APHA exhibitor and former AjPHA President, Banks Ready, who was involved in a devastating car accident on May 24, 2012. Thanks to the constant prayers and support from his church family and friends in the horse industry and the medical expertise of doctors and therapists in Georgia and Tennessee, Banks was given the green light to return home by Christmas of 2012.
Since that time, Banks has accomplished major milestones along the way, like walking without a crutch and sitting astride a horse for the first time since his accident. This weekend, he will achieve a new milestone when he makes his return to the show pen for the very first time after a five-year absence.
Today, Banks and his father, George Ready, are on their way to the Texarkana “Paint the Town” horse show that will take place this weekend in Arkansas. Banks will be making his debut in Novice Amateur Western Pleasure aboard his mother’s horse, Docs Jet Settin Gal, the 2005 2-Year-Old Western Pleasure APHA World Champion with Wade Spell.
“I can’t even tell you how excited I am,” Banks says. “I’m not nervous at all. I’ve been showing horses my whole life. After everything I’ve been through, there’s nothing that can scare me.”
Banks’ mentor and good friend, Mike Hachtel, will be at the show to lend his support, but for this event, Banks will be competing under the guidance of Mark Dunham, who currently trains the bay mare they call “Penny.”
As the anniversary of his accident quickly approaches, it will be two years on May 24th, Banks is grateful and humbled by the second chance he has been given at life. But, his competitive instinct hasn’t diminished.
“My ideal situation would be that I have a good ride, everything goes well, and I do all the right legs cues,” Banks says. “She is a good mare, and Mark is a good trainer.”
“I want to thank everyone, and I want to thank God for allowing me to be here. He saved me after I had my wreck and allowed me to come back. I do everything for God these days. Personally, I just want to do the best for myself, because I don’t like being second!”
No matter the outcome this weekend, we are very proud of Banks and the strides he has made in his recovery over the past two years. Congratulations on this extraordinary achievement!
