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Some dreams do come true
Barbara Ivy Goes To Josey Clinic  

June 2006
Karnack, TX

Jan Smith and Barbara Ivy met online on the forum called Barrel Talk at BarrelHorseWorld.com   

Martha Josey & Barbara Ivy seen at right - 2004 Mega Show >>>>>

Jan and Barbara are southern ladies born and raised, cancer survivors, and school bus drivers.   Barbara lost her son Bubba several years ago in a tragic car accident.   Recovering hasn't been easy and friends have helped Barbara heal.

At the 2004 Holiday Classic in Jackson Mississippi,  Barbara was prepared to meet several of her online bulletin board buddies in person at the Holiday Classic Barrel Race.   

As the barrel racers checked in at the office,  Barbara had sectioned off parking spaces and stalls for her yet unseen friends.     When Jan pulled up to park her rig there was Barbara, waving her into her reserved parking space (marked in red)  and the two became fast friends.

The favor wasn’t forgotten.    

When Ezall (Horse Grooming Products)  and Barrel Horse World.com  presented Martha Josey with a Clinic Scholarship Program idea, all three quickly agreed -  it was what they wanted to do.    

Jan nominated her friend Barbara for the first Martha Josey Clinic Scholarship and the scholarship was awarded immediately.

“Barbara loves barrel racing as much as anyone I've ever known and  posted on BHW a week or so before, that she had always wanted to go to a  Josey clinic.   It looked like she would never get to go to one, Jan stated.

"I thought attending a Josey clinic would be her dream come true, and she would appreciate it immensely.  She proved me right!   I didn't even realize she was such a huge Martha Josey fan until afterward!” 

Jan had attended her first Martha Josey Clinic in 1968.      Knowing how much a barrel racer can benefit from the clinic made her nomination of Barbara,  that more special.

Jan Smith pictured at right.   >>>

"She and RE have had a huge impact on my family's lives over the past 38 years.  I don't think they realize how much they touch the lives of people like me and my family.  I may never be a world champion barrel racer, but thanks to Martha and RE, I always strive to be the best that I can be.  

They are the ones who instilled that into me, beginning way back in 1968 when I attended my first school at their ranch.   Then, when I became a mom, they instilled a winning attitude in my children, as well.  As for Martha herself, I think she is a TRUE Champion in every sense of the word.  

Plenty of people have earned World Championship titles, but few can compare to Martha Josey.  

Many can win, but few can teach others to win.  Fewer still, actually care whether or not their students succeed.  There's no doubt that Martha cares.  She's the greatest, and she has my utmost respect.”

"It means the world to me that I was able to nominate Barbara for the Josey clinic.  When I received the call from her after she was told about the clinic, I realized just how much it meant to her.  That made this one of the most meaningful things I've ever been involved with.  Thank you,  Barrelhorseworld,  for allowing me to participate in this wonderful experience!"  said Jan.

The admiration is shared by Martha.  

"Jan is one of the kindest persons I've ever met"  states Martha Josey.    

The fun was only starting for Barbara.

With Steve Funk, owner and creator of the  Ezall Horse Grooming Products and Martha Josey on the phone contact was made to Barbara.   

The phone call:  According to Barbara

 “I was sitting at my computer as usual, when my cell phone started ringing. We do not get good reception out here where I live but can hear it ring. I looked to see who it was so I could call them back. Well, it was a long distance number that I didn't recognize so I wasn't gonna call it back from my home phone. 

Then, my home phone started ringing, I looked at the caller ID and it was the same number. I decided to answer it to see who it was. Well, a guy asked for Barbara and I said, 

"Who's calling please?" 

He said, Steve Funk from EZ-All." 

Well, I thought he must want to sell me something or see if I used their products. 

He said "Hold Please," so I did. 

He came back on and asked me if I had ever been to a Martha Josey Clinic, I said no but I have always wanted to but couldn't afford it and no way to get there. 

He said, "What do you have on your Calendar for June?" 

Now, I was wondering what was going on and I told him nothing that I know of. 

He said that's great and then said, "There is someone on the phone with us that has something to tell you and then Martha Josey said, "Hey Barbara"  

Well, I started shaking and then she said I was going to a 3 DAY CLINIC AT THE RANCH IN JUNE free of charge. 

I started crying.  

And then I said, I don't have a way to get there with my horse, I was to scared to drive my  truck & my ugly cattle trailer any further that right around here. They told me, "Don't worry, we are gonna get you & your horse to & from the clinic."  

Well by this time I was crying for joy and could not hardly talk. I thought I was gonna hyperventilate, lol. They said Barrel Horse World would be in touch with me soon with more info. I told them thank you, thank you, thank you. I don't know if they understood me too not because of my crying. 

I told Martha about the picture I have of her & me together at the 2004 Mega Show. She said she wants me to bring her a copy of it too. I told her that I also had it on my computer as my background on the desktop and on my screen saver along with my grandchildren's pictures.

All I know is I got chosen for this free clinic with help from my friend, Jan Smith AKA 'Grits' on Barrel Horse World's lively bulletin board.   There was so many other people that could have been chosen and they chose me. I had no idea about any of this, I was in total shock all the rest of the afternoon - along with crying for joy. My eyes burned all night from crying and when I got up this morning, they were still swollen.   lol.

 I had just about made my mind up that I was never gonna get to barrel race again. My arthritis is getting worst and I have gained so much weight from medicines I've taken.

 Well, I think God is trying to tell me, "Do Not Give Up." 

I have never had anything like this given to me. I'm so excited. I even called the number back and it was EZ-All. I told the lady that answered who I was and that this might sound strange what I was about to say to her. I told her I had gotten a call about an all expense paid trip to the Martha Josey Clinic and I just wanted to know if I was dreaming or not. 

Martha laughed and said, "No Barbara, you are not dreaming!" 

She told me that she was right next to the guy when he called me. I asked her if he was still there and he was. I asked to talk to him again and I thanked him, between the tears, all over again.

Thank you Barrelhorseworld.com,  Ezall (Steve Fuink) and Martha Josey.

See friends, there are 'Angels Among Us' stated Barbara.   

And another angel was yet to surface.   

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yet another "angel" among us.

It's now June 6 and we've learned Barbara and Jan arrived at the Josey Ranch yesterday.

The final obstacle to overcome was transportation to and from the Clinic.    Barbara's truck wasn't worthy to make the trip but Whitney O'Neal the 2006 Josey Reunion Champion proved again why she is a champion - in and out of the arena.