Western Wishes and NCHA Help One Teenager’s Equestrian Dreams Come True

NCHA

The National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) is pleased to welcome Western Wishes as they celebrate their 20th anniversary at the 2014 NCHA Futurity in Fort Worth, Texas. Joining Western Wishes on Open finals night will be guest honoree, Emily Crews, 17, of Texarkana, Texas.

Crews, who was diagnosed with a rare, stage 2 brain cancer in 2012, is an avid equestrian whose wish is to ride a cutting horse. Through the efforts of NCHA, Quarter Horse News, Western Wishes, and NCHA Hall of Fame Rider Clint Allen, Crews will be doing just that on December 13th.

Through a mentorship with Allen and the donation of his time and resources, as well as that of the McDavid family, Crews will be given the opportunity to learn to ride a cutting horse in the months prior to the NCHA Futurity aboard one of the McDavid’s show horses at their Weatherford Ranch. On Dec. 13th, she will ride to the herd amongst the most respected horsemen and women of the performance horse industry in a packed out coliseum as the last horse in the first set of the NCHA Futurity Open finals.

“Emily is an incredible young girl who showcases amazing faith and perseverance,” said Clint Allen. “I speak for myself and the McDavids when I say we are honored to be a part of making her wish come true.”

Crews first learned about her condition when she had a seizure two years ago. An MRI showed three tumors on her brain that, because of the location, are inoperable. Crews continues to lead as normal a life as possible, and said she is grateful for the opportunities that her involvement with Western Wishes has brought her. Her main goal is to inspire others with similar challenges by sharing her story.

“God has a plan. He does, and I believe that. My life is a story for others. I can choose for it to be positive or not. It’s up to me. God gave us free will. We can choose,” Crews explained of her situation.

A presentation outlining Crews’ courageous journey will be presented prior to her performance along with the auctioning of a piece of art, completed by Crews. A portion of the proceeds will go to Western Wishes and the rest to the Crews family to help pay for Emily’s medical expenses, which includes alternative treatments they have sought that insurance doesn’t pay for as well as travel expenses for medical appointments.

Make plans to come out Dec. 13th and support Emily Crews, not only in her battle with cancer, but also in having the strength and perseverance to follow her dreams while serving as an inspiration to others.

Since 1994, Western Wishes, founded by Donnalyn Quintana, has rewarded kids for their fighting spirit and communicates their stories of courage, faith, and determination to get back in the saddle again after being faced with strong adversities in life. By placing these kids in the spotlight, even if for just a moment, they are encouraged to reach for the stars and have their dreams come trues. For more information on Western Wishes, visit www.westernwishes.org.