Mary Davidson is like most mothers—trying her best to juggle her family life with lots of other commitments. But unlike many other parents, both Mary and her husband Brad have something else weighing heavily on their minds every day—the health of their two children who are both battling life-threatening medical conditions.
When their 16-year-old daughter, Ashley, was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Mary and Brad focused on Ashley’s care and treatment. Mary also knew that Ashley needed something more to get her through the endless doctor’s appointments and chemotherapy treatments—hope.
Once Mary contacted and completed the application process, she received a phone call from Senior Wish Program Manager Darla Chezem informing her that her daughter Ashley would be a recipient of a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation
® of Greater Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, Kentucky Region. She never looked back.
Ashley, who has a passion for riding and showing saddlebred horses, decided her wish would be to receive a new horse and, one in particular, that she and her mom had visited at Leatherwood Stud Farm in Paris, Kentucky. Once the Louisville, Kentucky mother and daughter met Leatherwood Forever, Mary knew this was a match that had to be made.
According to Leatherwood Stud Manager Fred Sarver, he immediately spoke with farm owner Ann Teirney Smith after hearing Ashley’s story.
“Ann and I just wanted to work a little magic,” said Sarver.
“Ann said it was something she knew she just had to do for Ashley once she heard Ashley’s courageous story.”Sarver said that working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to make it happen was an
“incredible experience” for them all.
“We have made some new friends,” remarked Sarver.
And on Saturday, October 24, Ashley was given the official owner’s papers of Leatherwood Forever at a celebration party in her honor. The party was also Leatherwood Forever’s official send-off as he left his home at Leatherwood Stud and traveled to Mercer Springs Farm, Princeton, West Virginia for months of training under renowned trainer Smith Lilly.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity for everyone involved,” said Ann Tierney Smith during the celebration.
“This experience will be with me forever and I look forward to watching Ashley compete.”Ashley, who says her parents and horse trainers have had the most influence in her life, said receiving Leatherwood Forever was an
“absolute dream come true.”“This experience has touched our hearts more than anyone could know,” said Mary Davidson.
“Having Make-A-Wish in our life has been a true blessing and eased our pain.”
Leatherwood Forever was donated by Leatherwood Stud owner, Ann Tierney Smith. Greystone Farm owners Dennis and Patricia Foster sponsored the training, equipment and feed. Mercer Springs Farm also contributed to the horse training. Ashley was officially informed of her wish being granted on October 14 during the annual (and unforgettable) Make-A-Wish Day at Keeneland.
“It’s our pleasure to make Ashley’s wish for a new, professionally-trained saddlebred horse a reality,” said Make-A-Wish Foundation, Kentucky Region Executive Director Dan Koett.
“Ashley has been through so much and it gives us great joy to play a role in bringing a little happiness into the lives of a special teen and wonderful family so deserving of a tomorrow filled with hope and joy. I know Ashley and Leatherwood Forever will build on the unique and inseparable bond they started at their very first meeting.”“We are deeply grateful to Leatherwood Stud, Greystone Farm, Mercer Springs Farm, and of course our good friends at Keeneland for making Ashley’s wish possible,” added Koett.
