RUN YOUR OWN RACE

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 

Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath (prize), but we an imperishable.

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

(1 Corinthians 9: 24 - 27, ESV)

The Amazing Story of 

John Henry 

(March 9, 1975 - October 8, 2007)

A Life Lesson about Humble

Beginnings, Amazing Finishes,

 and Running Your Own Race 

"The mighty heart of the great John Henry has, at long last, yielded to time. The racing industry has lost a legend, but more significantly, many people have lost a personal hero. John Henry's true legacy was written in people's hearts far more indelibly than his superlative racing career could ever reflect." 

(John Nicholson, executive director, 

Kentucky Horse Park)   

Today, I want to share with you a story about "running your own race". Sometimes the best lessons in life are learned through the experience of others. Although there are many people who have certainly run their own race in life, and been successful in living out the unique purpose for which they were born, I've chosen, instead, to share with you the story of a special horse named John Henry. Born to humble beginnings, John Henry was a horse that went on to change Thoroughbred Racing forever. His story is an inspirational lesson in running your own race, - and always running it to win, no matter the circumstances that surround you. John Henry has been called a "Lasting Legend", and it's true. My hope is that his story will inspire you to always run your own race, - and to run it to win with no regrets!  

All the horses run, but only one will win the prize.

Years ago, I visited the Kentucky Horse Park. If you've never been, I highly recommend it. Even if you're not a fan of Thoroughbred Horse Racing, it's hard not to be moved with genuine emotion and a great sense of shared pride when you visit some of the race-horse legends who are now retired and call the Park their home.

One of the most endearing characters I met during my visit to the Park was the legendary race horse, John Henry, who was still living at the time. One of the first things I noticed about him was that he wasn't very regal looking, and was smaller than most Thoroughbreds. In fact, John Henry would have looked right at home in anyone's home-grown pasture, and you probably wouldn't have given him a second look. It was an incredible thrill for me when I finally got to stroke John Henry's coat as he nickered loudly. As I looked into the eyes of this legendary horse, I thought about his story. John Henry had a reputation of having been quite the rowdy character in his day. Something told me that he still was. During his glory-days, John Henry was often "full of himself", and not opposed to nipping his handlers if given the opportunity. He had also been known to chew and wrestle steel water buckets to the ground when he was a colt, eventually stomping them flatter than a pancake. But aside from his occasional penchant for mischievous behavior, there was something very special about this horse that set him apart from other race horses.  John Henry truly loved the thrill of the race. Unlike some of his competitors who were often agitated, and perhaps even fearful, just before a big race, John Henry was always "ready and willing". Paying no attention to the other horses, he was always the first one to rush towards the starting gate. Did this horse know that he was "born to run"? Only God knows the answer. But there is no doubt, John Henry recognized and responded to the unquenchable fire that burned within him; a fire so hot that it compelled him to run his own race, and to win the prize time and again, against all odds. 

 A Few

Interesting Race Facts About  

JOHN HENRY

Blinder cuffs around the horse's eyes help to keep his attention focused straight ahead and on the goal.

According to Wikipedia, many of John Henry's racing accomplishments were unequaled. Aside from winning races on 13 different North American Race Tracks, he was the oldest horse (at age 9) to win the Arlington Million in 1984 (see YouTube video below). He was one of only three horses to ever win the Santa Anita Handicap twice, and he also won more graded stakes than any other Thoroughbred. During his career, John Henry had 39 wins, with $6,591,860 in earnings. He was twice voted the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year in 1981 and 1984. In all, he won 7 Eclipse Awards. John Henry was listed as #23 of the top 100 Racehorses of the entire 20'th century. Finally, in July, 1985, he retired as the world's richest Thoroughbred.

This classic YouTube video chronicles the other race horses that were more favored to win the Arlington Million. Watch the entire video to see John Henry win the entire race just in the nick of time!

John Henry: "A Living Legend" - 1984 Arlington Million

And Now, For The Rest Of 

THE  STORY

Many people don't know the full story of John Henry, or that he was considered the least likely candidate to ever become a winner. His miraculous story of transformation from "ordinary horse to lasting legend" started right from the beginning. John Henry's breeding was exceedingly poor and inferior. His sire (his daddy), Ole Bob Bowers, was an exceedingly cheap horse with no credits to his name, having sold for a mere $900, and with no demand for breeding. To make matters worse, John Henry's Dam (his mother), named Once Double, should have been named Double Trouble. She was a cantankerous old gal, having never amounted to much of a runner, or a producer. The only horse in John Henry's bloodline that ever amounted to much was his grand-daddy on his mother's side known as Double Jay, a graded stakes race winner whose greatest achievement eventually turned out to be that of a broodmare sire. It was into this world that the winner and lasting legend, John Henry, was born. 

History records that John Henry was first sold as a yearling for $1,100 at a horse sale. A man by the name of John Callaway bought the yearling and gave him the name that would one day be known world-wide. In the case of John Henry, beauty must have been in the eye of the beholder only! The day of the sale, the horse had a noticeable conformational flaw in one of his knees that made a racing career highly unlikely. He was also undersized, and as mentioned, with no breeding to speak of. To top it all off, just before entering the sale-ring, the horse had bumped his head in his stall (no doubt from his unruly behavior) and his face was dripping with blood. 

Nevertheless, Mr. Callaway looked in the eyes of this unlikely contender with all his imperfections, and saw the makings of a real winner. In later years, John Henry was purchased by different owners, and had several trainers who would develop him into a disciplined and focused athlete. In retrospect, it was as if everything in John Henry's entire life, and even his humble beginnings, had been planned and orchestrated in advance by a higher power. In the long run, no one would be able to take credit for John Henry's miraculous victories except for the hand of God upon his life, and the willingness of this horse to truly run his own race. 

In 1985, John Henry was retired and went to live at Kentucky Horse Park. On October 8'th, 2007, at the ripe old age of 32, John Henry passed away. He was buried in front of the Hall of Champions in a special spot right in front of his paddock where a statue is engraved with the words, "John Henry, A Lasting Legend". Each year, thousands of people continue to make the pilgrimage to Kentucky Horse Park to pay homage to a horse of humble beginnings whose story is written on their hearts forever.  

    YOU WERE CREATED

TO BE A

WINNER

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning it's shame, and sat down at the  right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

(Hebrews 12: 1 - 3, NIV) 

  I believe that you were created to be a winner. Why do I believe that? I believe that because you were created in the image of God, and God always creates winners. Right about now, someone out there in cyberspace is reading this and thinking, "That certainly doesn't apply to me. You don't know who I am, or where I came from. I've always been a loser." To that, I reply, "No, you are not a loser. And yes, you're right - I don't know you personally, but I do know where you came from. The Bible says that God knew you before your mother's womb. You see, that was your real "starting gate" in this race we call life, and not your mother's belly! That means that before your parents conceived you, your heavenly Father created you in the secret place, and "He knew you". When the Bible says that God knew you, it means that from the very beginning, He had intimate knowledge of everything about you, - past, present, and future. Nothing was, or is hidden from Him. And how does God have this knowledge about you? He has it because you are His original workmanship! Long before you were conceived "in the natural", you were conceived in the heart and mind of God. And you were created with the knowledge of God that says, "You are a winner". Now, it is up to you what you will do with this knowledge. Will you choose to say what God says about you, and run your own race? Or will you choose, instead, to forfeit the prize, and one day finish your race, filled with regret.  

A LIFE WITH

NO  REGRETS 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing."

As a minister of the Gospel for more than three decades, I've had the wonderful privilege of sharing in many of life's most joyful moments with people, including graduations, marriages, and the birth of their children, to name just a few. It might sound strange, but in all my ministerial experience, there is nothing more precious than the times I've been privileged to sit by the bedside of a "born-again believer" who is now on the homestretch of their life, and ready to receive their crown of righteousness (their eternal inheritance in Jesus Christ). And why is this a privilege for me? It's a privilege because, just as it was with the racehorse, John Henry, I know I'm in the presence of a Lasting Legend. A legend whose days may have been, at times, filled with upsets, trouble, or even sickness, yet, they persevered with unyielding faith and incomparable endurance. A legend who may have been born of humble beginnings, and yet, "destined before their mother's womb" for greatness. A legend who ran their own race full of the knowledge of the Lord in spite of their detractors, and with conviction of purpose. Such is the legacy of a lasting legend - a life lived with no regrets. 

 OLD COWGIRLS

AND

HORSES

A blog/diary of my life with horses, and a few other adventures along the way.

Yes, it's cold outside, but there's a passion burning deep inside us "horse nuts" that keep us warm in spite of the weather, and we ride on.

 Have I mentioned that I don't like cold weather? Only a thousand times before, I'm sure! This morning, I woke up to temps barely in the 20's. Thank God for my husband who was willing to brave the ice age, feed the horses this morning, and clean their stalls. But when it comes to riding, that responsibility falls to me. Kim often refers to himself as my glorified "water-boy", - a job he not only applied for, but loves! But when it comes to riding and exercising my horses, well, that's where my husband draws the line in the arena sand! In other words, that's my job! And it's a job that goes on all year - winter, spring, summer, and fall. When it comes to riding, I cannot afford the luxury of being a fair-weather horse person. 

Such is the life of people like me who take their relationship with their horse seriously, and are often called unaffectionate names like "horse nut" by those who have no understanding of the depth of our passion. If it meant being able to spend just one moment with our horse, we so-called horse-nuts would brave the coldest weather, forge through the harshest storm, and even attempt to walk on water, if necessary, just in order to be close to the object of our affection. No doubt, the world may not understand such passion, but God does.

In the Bible, we're told the story of Peter and his passionate love for Christ; a love that was not only demonstrative in many ways, but prevalent in every kind of weather and circumstance. Perhaps he even endured being called a "Jesus nut" at times. When the storms were raging all about him, and the waves were lapping dangerously at the sides of his boat, Peter looked out across the water and saw the object of his passion bidding him to come. Only a nut would dare to walk on water, right? Wrong! In my opinion, a real nut is the one who refuses to rise above the circumstances of their life when given an invitation to do so. Yes, it's cold outside, freezing cold, as a matter of fact. But I feel the call of passion - a call that keeps me warm inside  - a call that always invites me to come and ride, no matter what.

 Q & A

Each month I receive emails filled with interesting and great questions. In this segment of our newsletter, I will share some of the special emails I've received. All names have been changed

to protect the individual's privacy. 

Dear Susan - You don't know me but your newsletters mean the world to me. I had a horse once when I was a little kid that literally saved my life when I was being abused at home by my dad. After being slapped around and abused for years I just went and got on my horse one day and left home. I didn't really have anywhere else to go but I felt freedom for awhile. I eventually came back home and the abuse started again and I ended up staying in that situation until I was out of school when I finally left home for good. I'm now in my fiftys and my dad is long since dead. I have my own family and even grandchildren now but I sometimes feel the pain of those years. I also have a horse again and I think God is showing me lots of things about forgiveness and even trust through this animal. He was severely neglected and abused before I got him but he is slowly coming around. By the way I loved your newsletter about healing touch. There may be some people out there who don't get the connection you are able to draw between God and horses but I do. When I was being abused by my dad I know that God sent me a horse to help save me and now he has sent me another horse to help me heal from painful memories. I just wanted to thank you for what you do. God can use anything he wants to speak to people's hearts and I'm glad he chose to use you and your horses to speak to mine.

( Anna, New Mexico)   

My Response To Anna

 Anna - I am so moved by your letter. So many people's lives have been affected by abuse. I've learned that time does not heal an abused or broken spirit. Only God can heal the wounded, and He brings healing in many different ways. He may choose to initiate your healing through an animal, such as in your case. It may be a horse whose spirit is broken, and God uses your touch, not only to restore that animal, but to teach you that one touch of his own hand contains all the healing you will ever need. Or it might be through the rescue of a dog or cat who desperately needs to feel loved. When you feed and care for a defenseless animal, you are able to sense the compassion that God has for you. Better yet, God often brings healing to us through our contact with other people who have been hurt or abused in this life. When we reach out with mercy to those whom society would consider the least of us, then God's Word teaches that as we have done unto them - so we have done unto Him. I have often seen people help someone else who is in desperate need of healing, only to be healed themselves. The Bible says that nothing can separate us from the love of God, - not sickness, not death, not even years of abuse. Today you are free because God loves you, and there is no doubt, He will continue to bring healing to you.

Natural Horse

Faith-Man-Ship

(Teaching biblical faith using horses)

ARE YOU READY FOR THE FAITH RIDE OF

 YOUR LIFE?  

To Learn More... 

WRITE or EMAIL

Susan Klaudt Horse Ministry

P. O. Box 4994

Cleveland, TN 37320

or  

ksworldmin@aol.com