Murphy – Eliana Meiners, 12-year-old daughter of Wil and Amy Meiners, submitted her short story, “Unrivaled Champion,” to the Junior Creative Writing division for the West District 4-H Horse Show and received the first-place award in April.
Her story was then forwarded to the 2023 NC State 4-H Horse Show, where she was awarded second place on the state level in July. Her story was inspired by her certified farrier, Dennis Loudermilk, and his barrel racing partner, Money Won.
“I am a great champion; when I ran the ground shook and the sky opened and mere mortals parted the way to victory,” as stated in the movie Dreamer. Here’s her story, unedited.
My exciting journey began in 2018. My name is Money Won and I love to run! My sire is a great champion. Slick by Design is his title. I aspire to be like him someday. After being purchased from Flying H Ranch in Texas, Dennis, who is my devoted owner, started training me. It took Dennis and three other people to halter me in a twenty by twenty foot pen. I was a wild colt, but Dennis admired my elegant movement.
After a long journey we arrived in Turtletown, Tennessee on a picturesque farm. This is my home. Dennis is a credible, courageous cowboy, renowned certified farrier, and a profound horseman. I am a shiny, sleek, sorrel, registered AQHA appendix horse. I am training to win the National Barrel Horse Association World Championship.
Dennis takes me to the Union County Arena to practice and resolutely rides me through the clover leaf pattern. Then he slows me down and works on moving my shoulders and hips in a controlled and elegant manner. Even when I am dripping with sweat and the ditches in the dirt are deep, I willingly perform the run. I am determined to pursue and win the stunning prize at the barrel racing championship.
After several years of earnest training, Dennis and I finally arrive at the world show. The radiant covered arena is surrounded by colorful autumn trees. A cool October breeze wisps through my colorful red mane as I anxiously wait my turn. Thousands of people cheer and scream as the horses take turns galloping at full speed through the course. The horse in the lead had a time of 16.24 seconds. I knew I could beat the time. “I am ready to run,” I told myself.
Suddenly the announcer yelled, “Now for our last competitor, Dennis Loudermilk riding Money Won.” Dennis moved me into the chute. He gently signaled me and we were off. As we rounded the first barrel I slid hard as I leaned in, then Dennis turned me perfectly around the second barrel. We neared the third barrel, I could see the time out of the corner of my eye; 13.89 it read. I knew we could do it, so I picked up the pace and cleared the third barrel.
The crowd cheered wildly as I galloped hard for the finish. We crossed the finish line and the announcer screamed, “What a time! 16.00 seconds! That’s going to be a winner!” An ecstatic feeling ran through my bones. My prominent owner earned the National Barrel Horse Association World Champion title. The dream came true, I am now an unrivaled champion, just like my sire. My name is definitely not a lie. Victory is in my blood. I am Money Won!