A Special Surprise for Neunuebel
Sunday, February 24, 2008
While taking a lesson recently, Neunuebel
learned from Lisa Hillmer and Kent Swalla that
the brand new saddle she rode in was her own.
On a chilly afternoon, Feb. 20, in Columbia, Mo., 12-year-old Frances Neunuebel was given a big surprise during what she had thought to be only an ordinary lesson. While Neunuebel was riding a lesson horse at Glendale Stables in what she considered a very nice saddle, Kent Swalla, along with Neunuebel’s trainer Lisa Hillmer, presented Neunuebel with the brand new Shively MMX, provided by World Champion Horse Equipment. The Swallas had hosted a 50/50 raffle to raise money and with the help of donations and ticket buyers, the Glendale Stables family was able to present Neunuebel with a saddle of her dreams.
Gayle Lampe was the winner of the raffle and generously donated her winnings back. Other donors include Lisa Hillmer, Kent and Stacey Swalla, Maxine and John Glenn, Christy Parsons, World Champion Horse Equipment, Janet and Jerry Danuser, Teresa Vonderschmitt, Paula and George Hildebrand, Judy and Roy Werner, Ann and Rick Curl, and Joetta and Allen Smith.
At the American Royal last year, Neunuebel discovered she had a cancerous tumor on her brain stem and spine. Not to be brought down by misfortune, Neunuebel continued to show, earning the Missouri/Kansas Junior Exhibitor Three-Gaited Show Pleasure Championship and reserve grand championship on her beloved Desert’s Supreme Cowboy under the direction of Lisa Hillmer.
Recently finished with her radiation treatment, Neunuebel is spending time recovering before her chemotherapy sessions begin in a month. To send well-wishes and to read about Neunuebel’s brave journey through cancer, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/francesneunuebel, where you can also read about her surprise in receiving a new saddle.
Neunuebel and her new saddle
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