On a little farm not far from the Talladega Super speedway in a little "board barn" is where all my dreams started. I was once told by a trainer that "you can't have a horse like that in a board barn," and I thought to myself, "it's not an "old" board barn, it's a "new" board barn! Well, I did it, and I still have the board barn!!!      In April of 2002, Bill and I purchased JMK Malibu Ken (a/k/a "Kenny"), sight unseen from James Kifer. James knew I was looking for another colt, after having lost the only other horse I had ever shown, Makin A Spectacle, to colitis. Makin A Spectacle, another Yella Fella foal, was an exceptional colt having won every futurity he entered. When I lost this colt at the Dixie National Show in February of 2002, I felt like my life-long dream of being able to compete with the "best of the best" and have fun doing it was shattered. Then, Kenny entered my life!     Although Kenny lived in a board barn, his arrival took my life from "dirt track" racing to "driving NASCAR." I had to learn fast!! Kenny was a mid-April foal and it was late summer when we got him home to his board barn. Right away, he had a distinct personality - sleeping on his back with his feet in the air; sitting on his behind like a dog - with a liking for peppermints! I didn't know much about halter horses then, but Bill and I really liked Kenny because of his sweet personality and beautiful, dreamy eyes. When we started taking him to shows, people would admire Kenny and tell me how nice he was and that I would do a lot with him. To this day, I sincerely appreciate all the encouragement and direction that so many people took the time to give me.      The following year, 2003, Kenny did very well at the futurities, winning the Georgia QHA yearling Stallion Open Futurity Championship and the Just For Halter Open Yearling Stallion Championship, just to name a few. The first big win that Kenny and I had was the 2003 Palomino Dixie Nationals, where we stood Open and Amateur Grand Champion. Bill and I were so excited and happy – we were living our dream!      Kenny started to grow and fill out and we felt like he might have a chance to do really well at the 2003 AQHA World Show. In Amateur Stallions, I placed 3 rd with Kenny and was so pleased to have done so well. However, when Jason Smith showed him the following week in open, Kenny became an AQHA World Champion! What a dream come true.      The next summer, 2004, was to be a memorable year also. Kenny won the Palomino World Show in both Open and Amateur 2002 Stallions. Later that year at the AQHA Quarter Horse Congress, he tied for first place in 2004 Stallions and was Reserve Champion in Amateur and Limited Amateur Stallions. Kenny was only two years old and already a multiple world champion. He was tremendous fun, and Bill and I were having the time of our life. All of a sudden, though, I started hearing that Kenny should end his show career while we were ahead. Bill and I were not ready for Kenny to quit – we wanted him to earn his superiors in halter to solidify his championships.      Fate, however, was not with us at the 2005 AQHA World Show. Kenny did not feel well the day I showed him in my Amateur 2002 Stallion class and we again placed third. By the next week when Kenny showed in the open class, he had definitely picked up a stomach bug and did not do well.      When Kenny was well enough to travel, I brought him home to his “board barn.” He had certainly earned a rest and the opportunity to just be a horse. Bill and I also needed the chance to think about things and adjust our goals. Kenny was a really exceptional stallion with the best of bloodlines and it was important to us that we make the right decision for him – not be goaded by what the “industry” thought.      Bill and I decided to “think outside the box,” and for that we called our innovative friend, Donna Witt Preskitt. Donna is the owner and manager of the 5W Ranch/Underwater Treadmill in Ohatchee, Alabama. We had the pleasure and opportunity of assisting Donna in the early start-up construction of her uniquely-designed, in-ground underwater treadmill. Donna designed the treadmill to pursue her dream to fit, condition and strengthen horses of all disciplines, which she now does on a full-time basis. She taught me the basics of showing halter horses. If anyone could help us achieve our goal, Donna could – and did.      Kenny moved to the 5W Ranch and started on the 5W Ranch's Whole Horse program and worked daily on the underwater treadmill. I continued to hear nothing but negative chatter from the horse industry, but with the support of friends such as Donna, Pam and Randy Wilson, and Ann and Bill Lanning, I kept my spirits up and believed. I visited Kenny at the 5W Ranch often to deliver his peppermints and I was astounded at his development. The muscle development and muscle cuts were unbelievable. He began to look totally different.      After a quiet year of hard work at the 5W Ranch, Kenny again made his appearance at the 2006 Palomino Dixie Nationals. Randy had agreed to show him in open for me. We arrived in the show pen and when Randy pulled off his cooler, I don't think there was a person watching whose mouth did not drop open. He was just that beautiful and fit. Kenny won under every judge and stood 2006 Palomino Dixie National Grand Champion Two weeks later at the AQHA Dixie Nationals, we did a repeat. We were the talk of the show. Not many stallions make such comebacks. We did and went on to stand Reserve World Champion at the 2006 PHBA World Show.      You really have to believe in something enough not to give up, in spite of the obstacles. Oh, it wasn't a “cake walk” in any sense of the word, but I gained so much more than I lost. I believed in Kenny and in Donna Witt Preskitt's work. With a truly great horse, a unique program, and the support of a few good friends, we did things the industry thought couldn't be done. Kenny is now a certifiable champion and will be a great sire – living in a “board barn.”    And those superiors? Well, we achieved them and much, much more.