Special Paula’s Showmanship Jacket Helps Make-A-Wish Come True For Congress Competitor

By: Brittany Bevis

During this last week of the Quarter Horse Congress, when the bracing cold moves in and the nights seem longer than the days are short, it’s good to have something that helps keep everything in perspective. For 17-year-old Becca Brown, her journey over the past two years to this point is an ever-present reminder of how far she’s come.

Almost two years ago, Becca was playing in a high school basketball game when she fell and hit her head. Fearing a possible concussion, her mother, Yvonne, took her to the hospital. Four days later, she was in the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania undergoing a biopsy and bone marrow test. She was ultimately diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“They discovered an almost 13 inch tumor in her chest,” Yvonne says. “The doctors couldn’t believe she’d been playing basketball all year. They told us she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and we were very lucky it was contained in her chest. She started undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.”

Meanwhile, Becca’s horse, Gota Show Me Off, was a three-year-old in training with Lyndsey and Anthony Curiale, and she was supposed to begin showing “Levi” later that year. Despite her diagnosis, Becca wouldn’t be deterred.

“That year, in June, she went and had chemo on a Friday and went to the horse show on Saturday,” Yvonne says. “It was so hard. She was white and sweating and had to wear a wig because she lost all her hair. Nobody knew what she was going through. She couldn’t ride, because she didn’t have the strength, but she could do Showmanship.”

For Becca, the daily goal of going to the barn and riding or simply visiting her horse helped give her the strength to persevere.

“It was really nice to ride while I was sick, because it gave me something to look forward to and work towards,” Becca says. “If I felt good enough, I could go ride that day. It definitely helped with my recovery. My child life specialist told me I could do anything that I felt I could. So, if I felt like I could ride that day or do Showmanship, I could.”

Like the rest of Becca’s family, horse trainer Lyndsey Curiale was shocked to hear of the diagnosis, but determined to help in whatever way she could. “She’s like a little sister to me; I started helping her when she was really young,” Lyndsey says. “We went to the hospital that same day and hung out. The plan was for her to start showing Levi, but when that didn’t happen, we took him to all the shows anyways, just because we wanted him to be quiet. That way, if she was able to come, if she wanted to do a walk trot class or something, he would be ready. We just wanted her to be comfortable.”

“You could definitely tell it helped her. She wouldn’t feel good, and then she would get on and everything would change. She would spark up and feel better. The first time she showed him, she’d had chemo two days before. She said, ‘I’m not going to be able to do it. I’m not going to win.’ I said, ‘Who cares if you win!’ Just going in there was a huge hurdle for her.”

Practical considerations like Becca’s strength and stamina level not withstanding, there were other challenges she had to overcome. “She lost all of her hair, so she had a wig and we would make a little bun out of it. Also, she was always worried about not having sideburns, so we would draw those in. At first, she was self conscious about it, but a lot of people didn’t know what she was going through.”

Because the doctors and nurses at CHOP so admired their patient’s positive attitude and unwavering enthusiasm, they nominated Becca to receive a wish from the Make-A-Wish program. A true horse crazy girl, what Becca really wanted was something she could use with her horse.

“She could’ve really had anything,” Yvonne says. “What she ended up getting was a spectacular Showmanship jacket from Paula Diuri, a new CWD English saddle, headstall, Harris Halter, hunt coat and shirts from Boo Yah, and boots. It was basically a whole new overhaul of her show stuff. Paula was so happy to be someone’s wish. She’s amazing.”

Becca had a very specific idea in mind for her dream Showmanship jacket. First, she wanted it to be black and red, her favorite colors and school colors. “I like things that are edgy, like the pyramid studs and triangles,” Becca says. “Paula was very wiling to do anything to make my dream jacket. She made it in two months, and it fits perfect. I’m really happy with it.”

We are thrilled to report, that as of last July, Becca is completely cancer-free. “Hodgkin’s is 99% curable in children, and not a lot of people know that,” Yvonne says. “It’s the Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma that’s very difficult. She’s doing great, playing basketball again and riding all the time.”

Here at the Congress, Becca and 4-year-old Levi are competing in youth all-around events like Showmanship, Equitation, Horsemanship, Hunter Under Saddle, and Performance Halter. “My favorite class is Showmanship,” she says. “It’s fun, and I like being in sync with my horse and making the pattern snappy. My dream goal would be to win the Youth World or Congress in Showmanship.”

Becca’s dream could become a reality, because she’s already qualified for Showmanship at the AQHA Youth World Show next year. It will be her first year to compete, so she’s both excited and nervous.

“I try to be positive, because I get really nervous before I show,” she says. “I have to remember to focus on myself and my horse. My trainers always tell me to show my horse to the best of my ability. There’s always someone who might be better, but you have to act like you’re the best and have confidence.”

We’re so glad that Becca is now cancer-free, and we wish her the very best of luck here at the Congress!