Triumphal Entry

TRIUMPHAL ENTRY1

Miracles come in many different forms. Sometimes they come to us spiritually, sometimes they come to us through people, but sometimes the best miracles come in the forms of animals. 2

In this story, the miracle comes in the form of a horse. He was put on this earth for a very short time, but that time was precious. In what little time he had, he did more than what most people do in a lifetime. He was a pet, he was a hero, he was a friend.3

This is the story of Judah.4

I got the disease at an early age. For as long as I can remember I’ve had it and I probably always will. This horrible disease is known as Horse Fever. It starts to take you over, little by little, until it grows into something so big it can’t be contained. As soon as I learned how to talk I started asking for a horse. When I got a little older my parents found ways to let me ride some, but it was never enough. I always wanted more. Model horses were okay for a while, but even they didn’t satisfy me. The fever grew worse and worse until finally in 8th grade my dad gave in and let me have horseback riding lessons every week. It was great. I was riding everyday and eventually I started showing. But you see, Horse Fever doesn’t ever really stop and it only gets worse if you don‘t have your own horse. My dad finally realized this and, being the loving dad that he is, he started looking for a horse to buy me. 5

One day, while at a horse show, my dad met a lady named Janice. He instantly liked her and liked her even more when she told him about a horse she had for sale. He told me this and of course I got very excited, so he scheduled a time for us to go have a look at her horse in Daytona. I anxiously waited for that day, but finally it did come and we were off. 6

We met Janice at her barn and she led us to the stall that kept the horse. I still remember my heart pounding as I peered over the stall door to get the first glimpse of this animal. His name was Judah and he was magnificent. A 16hh thoroughbred with a gleaming bay coat and 2 white socks stood there with his sweet eyes just gazing into mine. He walked over to the stall door and put his head over and nudged me. At that moment, I fell in love for the first time. I can’t explain how, but I knew that he and I were meant to be together. 7

A few minutes later I had him tacked up and ready to go. I rode him around the ring for a bit and jumped him over a few jumps. He was great. He was only 6 so he still needed some work, but I didn’t care. I loved him and I knew he was perfect for me. After riding and un-tacking him I grazed him for a while. In that short period of time we formed a connection. I talked and he listened intently as he softly chewed on the wet grass. I told him of all we would do and how much fun we would have together if he was mine. He listened as I prayed that God would let me have him. I prayed until it was time to go. I said goodbye to Judah and whispered to him that I would see him again soon. 8

Janice took us to lunch that day and she and I talked a lot about a lot of different things. When were alone she talked to me about God and Judah and how things would all work out according to Gods plan. This made me feel a lot better about getting Judah. I was convinced that God had heard my prayer that day and that He fully intended on carrying it out. 9

A few weeks went by and still, nothing. We went back again to see Judah and the connection was even stronger the second time. I was head over heels for him. Then one day, a few weeks before my birthday, my dad picked me up from school and told me that he was taking me back down to Daytona to try out Judah again. I was excited, but a little sad too. I didn’t understand why he kept torturing me with going to see Judah when I couldn’t have him. My grandmother was with us so it was a fun ride down there. 10

As soon as we got to the barn I jumped out of the car and ran to see Judah. As I rounded the corner I saw Judah’s stall. It was covered in Happy Birthday paper and balloons. I looked around and there was a bunch of people I didn’t know just standing there smiling at me. Once I realized what was going on I still just stood there in shock. I couldn’t even say anything. I was overcome with happiness. Judah was MINE! I hugged my dad and blew out the candles on my cake. I don’t think I have ever been that happy in my entire life. I went over to Judah’s stall and went in and hugged his neck. It was all I could do not to cry. 11

After I fed Judah cake I rode him. The feeling of riding you own horse for the first time is unexplainable. It’s one of the best feelings in this world and I rode around with a huge smile on my face the whole time.  That day had to come to an end, but I never will forget it for as long as I live. A few days later I waited anxiously at my barn for the trailer to come with Judah on it. As it came down the long drive I stood there thinking of everything that had happened and everything that would happen with my new best friend. 12

The first few months with Judah were the happiest of my life. We became best friends. After school everyday I would take care of him and ride him and later play games with him. We went to shows and even went to a show in North Carolina. We had a blast and Judah and I became very close. I would tell him everything. He knew all of my secrets and kept every one of them. He was a great listener. When I was upset I would go into his stall, sit down and cry. He would come over to me and put his head in my lap and let me cry until I felt better. He understood me better than anyone and I understood him. Looking into his deep brown eyes always could make me feel like everything would be ok. It was almost like he was sent to earth just to take care of me. I, to this day, will never know what would have become of me without him. 13

Then one day Judah became lame. At first we thought it was only White Line disease, which was serious enough, but then we discovered that he had been previously lame. He had foundered and had Laminitis. I was at the barn everyday for hours just taking care of him. I’ll never forget the first time we took him to The University of Florida Veterinary School. When we got there he was put in a stall where I stayed with him the whole time. Just talking to him and telling him that everything would be ok. Once they drugged him and had a look at him they told us that things didn’t look to great but we still had hope if we wanted to work with him more. Of course we decided we would. My dad loved Judah almost as much as I did. So we took him home and eventually we kept him at my dads friends' barn and then finally at my dad's barn. 14

After a few months Judah started to loose a lot of weight. We took him back to Gainesville and there they told us that he was in too much pain to live and we should put him down. I was heart broken. He was my best friend and I couldn’t imagine never seeing him again. They said to leave him there over night and to come and say goodbye to him within the next few days. Before we left, Judah’s Vet took my dad and me aside and told us that when they put Judah down they were going to take the cornea’s from his eyes and give them to another horse so that through Judah’s death another horse would be able to live. It comforted me to know that even though Judah would be gone he would still be a hero through the eyes of another horse.15

Then the day came when we had to go and say goodbye. That day my heart broke into a million pieces and it was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. I stayed in the pasture with my horse alone for an hour or so. I told him how sorry I was and I thanked him for being the best friend I have ever had. I told him how much he meant to me and how I would never forget him as long as lived. I reminded him of all the fun we had together playing tag and hid-n-go seek. I told him how much I loved him and how I always would. He listened to everything I said and I know he understood every word of it. For the last time he listened to me pray just like I did that day I met him. He listened to me ask God for a second chance with him and he listened when I begged God for forgiveness for whatever I had done to make him be taken away from me. He listened as I poured my heart out looking for any sign that everything would all be ok. Judah just listened, just like he always had. Finally, I said goodbye. Through many tears my dad and I walked away from him knowing it was the last time we would see him. 16

Judah’s show name was Triumphal Entry. He entered my life with triumph and exited his life with triumph as well. In his coming he saved me and in his going he saved a another horse’s life. I believe Judah was much more than a horse. I believe that he was sent here to make many different miracles happen, no matter how big or how small. Judah came into this world as a horse, but in my heart, I know he left as an Angel. 17