My name is Sylvia Howell, and I can’t
thank the Future Fortunes program enough! Never in my wildest dreams
did I think I could win against the big people. After a near death
illness, I almost didn’t come to Oklahoma all the way from California.
But with my family’s encouragement and the fact that there was
not a fee to enter, I, against all odds, decided to come and give
it a try. When I made my last run in the futurity, I was disappointed
in myself for losing my focus. When I was told that I won the Amateur
Championship …a beautiful jacket and $1,000…I could not
believe it! Words can not say enough. And to anyone out there who
is in doubt, I say give it a try and don’t quit!
Thank you Future Fortunes!
On our way to Oklahoma City for my first
futurity ever, I was excited anxious and nervous all at the same time.
I had previously purchased a Future Fortune Foal on August 29, 2005,
the day Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Little did we know that
at the same time we were having Lil Miss Runaway (a.k.a. Little Bit)
vet checked, the winds from the storm were ripping through our house
and demolishing our barns. As we handed Mrs. Joyce Hutcherson the
check and she handed us Little Bit’s papers, I noticed an unfamiliar
symbol on them, it was a foal holding a money bag in its mouth –the
Future Fortunes logo. This didn’t mean much to me at the time,
but it would be greatly beneficial to us only a few months later.
Our First run this weekend at the BFA was much less that perfect,
and we stopped the clock with a 16.021 knowing that time wouldn’t
draw a long go check, I only hoped that our next run would be better.
The next day my parents informed me that I had won $1,033. “What?
How is that? I didn’t even place.” “Its Future fortunes
money.” They told me.
Friday’s race was our second and final attempt to qualify for
the finals. After passing up the first barrel, stepping off the third,
and having a few other minor mistakes throughout our run, we shut
the clock off at 15.981. I was very disheartened by the fact that
my OKC BFA futurity experience was over and I would not be going to
the finals, but once again Future Fortunes stepped up to save the
day. We won $430.50 for that run and picked up another $803.60 for
placing sixth in the average of the Future Fortunes foals.
Simply because JA Runaway (Little Bit’s sire) is a Future
Fortunes stallion, my mare and I won a total of $2267.30 for the weekend.
Just when I thought it was all said and done, I was told that I had
also won Rookie of the Year, which included a saddle and $1,000 bonus.
How do you win that much money and not make it to the finals or place
in one go-round? Own and ride a future Fortunes Foal! From now on
when considering a barrel prospect, I will definitely be looking for
the Future Fortunes symbol; that is the way to go!
Thanks Future Fortunes!
Dana Haas
Kiln,Ms.