Sammy Meets Hard Spun

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

sweet terchi — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 16:48:42 GMT

Congrats Sammy! You got to meet a truly inspiring horse, and as horse and dog people know, these creatures are the ultimate therapy! Sammy,you have made tremendous progress in achieving this goal, and the rest are attainable. You have a strong support system of people who believe you .......but Sammy, believe in yourself. My sister has a favorite saying I will share with you.. 'If you believe you can, you're right - if you believe you can't, your right!' Best wishes to you!!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Rhonda — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 14:15:19 GMT

Congratulations, Sammy on all of your accomplishments. I too had the opportunity to see Hard Spun as he was my favorite as well. The staff at Darley are excellent and accomodating to everyone. Special shout out to Peggy Sherwood. She is about one of the nicest people around.

-Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

bellesforever — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:52:26 GMT

what a great story!my eyes about fell out the first time i saw Hard Spun so i understand sammy's feelings..many here have written already about the wonderful way that a horse can touch your heart.sammy can you still feel him? i am sure you always will..best of luck!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Ofelia — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:16:30 GMT

I have long known the soothing effects of horses. Sammy, I hope you will have them in your life forever. You won't be sorry.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Kat - StirlingGlen — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 00:21:34 GMT

It amazes me to see what can happen when the human spirit is inpspired by a horse, especially a thoroughbred racehorse. Hard Spun continues to touch lives, even though he no longer battles for victory on the track. I am so proud of you, Sammy! And Maria...Eight Belles has forever changed the course of your life, hasn't she? How wonderful it is that the good Lord gave us these magnificent creatures to bless our lives. I am thankful for it. All the best as you continue on your journey, Sammy. :)

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

TerriV — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 23:48:57 GMT

I always knew Hard Spun was special. He was my favorite that year and if he were still racing I'd follow race he ran. So it was very moving to read just how special he is. Good for you, Sammy (and I'm jealous!!!)

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Robyn — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:56:07 GMT

It saddens me that people will post repeatedly and contribute hundreds of comments to the Zenyatta/Rachel Alexandra trash talking war but an inspiring story like this gets almost no attention. I'm very proud of Sammy for working so hard to beat her illness and I'm so happy she got to meet Hard Spun! This is a great story and I'm glad Darley worked a little magic to bring some happiness to a girl who deserves it.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Sammy — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:12:53 GMT

Hi everyone. I am Sammy Petitte, the subject of the article, and I just want to say thank you so much for the nice comments. I do appreciate them in this long, hard journey. It's tough, but the good news is- my dietician said, making a rough guess, if everything continues smoothly, I should be weight restored by around May. Even after that I'll have a long way to go, but I'm halfway there. :) Thanks again, Maria, for writing this article.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Vickie — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:17:25 GMT

I am a member of the Fox Hill Forum. We are very proud of Sammy. I am so glad that Maria (also a member) shared her story. I hope it will be an inspiration to others.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Donna — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:26:54 GMT

Go for your dreams Sammy!! We have one shot on this planet so always follow your heart and passion! PS I love Hard Spun too, he is one incredible horse!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Zookeeper — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:37:55 GMT

This is a wonderful story! Bravo Sammy for wanting to get better. There's nothing like a goal to get one motivated. Wishing you the best!

Kudos also to the understanding parents, the blog buddies and the people at Darley who helped Sammy on the road to recovery.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Barbara W — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:01:15 GMT

I hope Larry Jones has heard this story about his "boy".

Horses do wonders for humans--I know from experience. Our horse gave me something to look forward to each day after the death of my mom at 94.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

aspradling — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:55:52 GMT

Wow, what a an awesome representation of the horse racing fan community, Darley, and our athletes. Here's to next year's open house Sammy!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Susan E. — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 02:33:04 GMT

Sammy, you are an inspiration. I read this story because I too love Hard Spun (doesn't he look great??!).

I think great things are in store for you. You have the heart, mind, and determination of a champion thoroughbred. You're beautiful, inside and out. I feel good knowing that you will be working for these amazing creatures.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Ida Lee — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:57:41 GMT

I really enjoyed reading your story. I absolutely believe that animals, all kinds, are of great therapeutic value. I know from being around my own animals, just looking at them brings a smile to my face no matter how bad I might be feeling. I could not have any kind of quality of life without them. As to Sammy, you go girl! I hope when I go to KY that I can get close to my equine love, Curlin. You look so happy standing there close to the beautiful Hard Spun and he is lucky to have such a loving fan. He's one of my favorites too and he really does look great!!! It's obvious he's having a good life.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Johar — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:29:50 GMT

Great story. Well done to Darley, and especially well done and good luck to Sammy. Keep up the good fight!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

txhorsefan — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:29:08 GMT

Congratulations to Sammy for working hard and making her gains to be able to meet her hero, (and mine)Hard Spun. It is beautiful that the people at Darley were so kind and generous to this young woman. Great story!! Thank you for sharing.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

LyndaP31 — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:45:10 GMT

Awesome story. I hope Sammy goes a long way!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Sara in Ohio — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 22:42:53 GMT

Sammy! I am so happy for you! Love and kisses!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Susan — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:36:05 GMT

Good job, Sammy! I have found that Horses are therapy for so many tough situations in life. And you couldn't have picked a better hero. Hard Spun has always been one of my favorites too. Can't wait to see his 2 year olds at the races!!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

Susan — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:42:19 GMT

Isn't it wonderful that racehorses can continue to inspire us, even after their racing days are over?! I have been a fan of Hard Spun, Darley, and Maria Michalak for some time, and now I am rooting for Sammy Pettite!

By the way, Maria, only 17 herself, has published a lovely tribute to Eight Belles, entitled, Eight Belles: Triumph Beyond the Wire. She's an intelligent, sensitive writer whose words can touch and heal.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

keenelandcat — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:27:37 GMT

That's a great story! Although he never grabbed the headlines like Curlin or Street Sense, I thought he was a remarkable horse & also my daughter's favorite. Three Chimney's also had a Make-A-Wish story involving Smarty Jones. It's still good to know that our equine athletes are still larger than life inspiring heroes for younger fans. We are about to travel to Oaklawn to see Zenyatta. I want to see her just like I did Seattle Slew and Affirmed.

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

stacy — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:11:18 GMT

Hard Spun was my favorite too! What a great horse!!!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

ALB — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 18:48:37 GMT

Hard Spun was my favorite too and I can't believe he was retired too early! He could have went on to win many more races! Too bad too, because he would have been even more valuable in the breeding shed! Great Story!!!!

re: Sammy Meets Hard Spun

WinnahPickah — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:28:19 GMT

Hard Spun looks like he could win a stake this weekend!