Recently, I had the great
pleasure of interviewing an outstanding youth rider and fellow competitor from my
state organization, The Ohio Quarter Horse Youth Association. When I
requested that my peers contribute their bios for the OQHYA Spotlight, I
learned a great deal about Paul “Trey” Schwab of Hamilton, Ohio. Often, being a reporter means a lot of
following up, so it was extremely impressive to me when Trey was the first member
to get his bio form back to me at the next meeting in an impressively organized
folder. I had to smile as I leafed
through his file and found that he had added a favorite family recipe to
include in the NSBA Cookbook. What made
me smile is that Trey Schwab runs contest horses, and isn’t even a member of
NSBA. Trey is simply an extremely
thoughtful individual who has an extreme willingness to help others, and an
extraordinary attention to detail. Did I
mention that he is only 14 years old?
To follow-up, Trey took the time to
see if I needed anything else, and asked how he could help me. To
anyone who knows the Schwab family, this should come as no surprise. As longtime members of OQHA, the Schwab’s are
known to be outstanding members and contributors to our association as a whole. In their years of participation, they are
known not to miss meetings, offer assistance to others in need, and take
their role as “members” seriously.
Trey’s bio touched me greatly,
and he is successful both in and out of the arena. An extremely accomplished horseman already,
Trey and his faithful horse, Bar Dee Boy 036, a/k/a Scooby, were the 2009 AQHYA Stakes Race High Point Champions; winning by an impressive margin over their
competitors. What made winning the title
extra special, was that Scooby” was injured when he was kicked
shortly after the Schwab’s purchased him, and were told he needed complete
stall rest for a year with no promise of a full recovery. What separates the Schwab’s and their horses
is love and heart. With Trey’s compassion
and encouragement, Scooby gave him his heart in return and came back stronger
than ever to win the title against all odds!
Trey wrote lovingly that the great gelding always gives 110%.
Sadly, Trey
and his beloved gelding Scooby, need all the help and prayers that our devoted
GoHorseShow.com readers can send their way. The Schwab family was in a terrible
truck and trailer accident last weekend while traveling to an AQHA show in Lancaster, Ohio. The accident has been covered extensively by local television news stations. Although the family, horses and family dog
all suffered injury, Trey and his mother sustained critical trauma and are
hospitalized in Cincinnati area hospitals.
Additionally, the family horses were transported to several veterinary
hospitals for emergency treatment with surgeries likely to follow. All of this care will certainly come at a
great expense.
To all of
you who love your horses and family as passionately as Trey, and feel as
inspired by his heartwarming story with Scooby, I am asking you to please dig
down deep in your hearts at this time.
Under the direction of the OQHA Tri-Chairman, and OQHYA Youth Director,
Kelli Diaz, I am asking for your support for this outstanding young man, his
beloved family and horses to help with what may lie ahead for them. Trey made a lasting impression with me when
he referred to how important the Youth World Show was to him. He never spoke about himself or winning a
World globe, but instead that the show meant the most to him because he had the
opportunity to compete as a member of a “team” at that event. Rumor has it that Trey helps to make his
horse showing dreams possible by cleaning stalls, baling and putting up hay,
feeding and caring for the roping stock, mowing grass, and cutting
firewood. He also took the time to
mention that a great expense saving idea for families is to “pack” a great
picnic for the shows instead of buying food.
Right now, we need to follow Trey’s example by letting him know how much
the “team” means to us.
Please join
with me to help support the Ohio Quarter Horse and OQHYA youth organizations
with their fund raising efforts for the Schwab family.
Paul Schwab III Benefit Fund
Park National Bank
50 N Third St
P. O. Box 3500
Newark, OH 43058-3500
Donations can be made at any Park National Bank Any
donation questions or concerns can be directed to Kelli Diaz 740-404-7930.
I will also be at many of the major upcoming shows selling Congress
package raffle tickets for Ohio Youth of which a portion of the proceeds will
benefit the Schwab family, their ongoing medical expenses and veterinary costs. The lucky raffle winner will win a great
Congress prize package of 1 stall, 2 vehicle passes, 1 VIP Parking Pass, 2
Freestyle Reining Tickets, and 2 Masters tickets!!!! Most of us could use that package, right? I can
also mail tickets to anyone interested if you want to send me a check. The price is $5.00 each and 6 for
$20.00! Here’s a chance to win a great
prize while supporting a wonderful cause.
Please contact me directly through my GoHorseShow.com email
address at
Dakota@gohorseshow.com for more information on how to donate.
Trey was
really excited to attend the upcoming YES Conference in Amarillo with our Ohio
Youth delegation. Although his impending
care and surgeries may make it challenging for that to happen, I can assure you
that he will be with us in spirit. I
hope and pray that he will be able to make our Youth World Team delegation,
especially to receive his 2009 High Point Champion Trophy and buckle that he and
Scooby so well deserves. In the meantime,
please keep this selfless family in your thoughts and prayers. As
always, your assistance is greatly appreciated.
With love,
Dakota
