12/08/06 Blind speedster

Blind Speedster Some people just won't let a handicap remain a roadblock to what they want to do. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with a story I would like you to hear. I read a story in American's Horse magazine I just had to share with you. Corey Grandstaff, his parents, Ben and Tamie and a Quarter horse named Mr. Skipper Sir wouldn't let the fact that Corey was born blind interfere with Corey competing in barrel racing. Corey's mom did hope Corey would want to compete in western pleasure riding competition. But Corey's mom could hope all she wanted to  Corey craved that feel of speed in barrel racing. A mutual friend introduced the Grandstaffs to a lady named Ava Gardner who owned Mr. Skipper Sir or "Skip." Skip was 17 years old at the time Ava transferred him to Corey's name. Skip and Corey have been competing for seven years and Skip always seemed to know when Corey could handle more speed. Although Skip was very in tune with Corey's ability, he wasn't an automatic barrel racing horse. Corey's dad sets up two-way radios on each barrel that Corey hears and cues Skip to start his turn. The procedure worked well enough for Corey and Skip to be named circuit champion youth barrel racers in Ohio's International Buckskin Horse Association circuit. Skip also was named 2005 runner-up to the American Quarter Horse Association  MD Barns Silver Spur award, which honors horses who have made a difference in someone's life. Now that's a story more people need to hear. I'm Jeff Keane America's Horse November/December 2006