 |
| Pat Day enjoyed the winner's circle with Unbridled Elaine, twice! He credited his success to his excellent support team! |
The Unbridled Faith Farm was established in honor of a man's decision to live his Dream in the face of impossible odds. My father, Roger Devenport, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only a few months to live. Very early the next morning he announced to me that he was going to go buy the next Breeders' Cup winner! He had always been a man to defy the odds and see the possibilities. Rejecting hopelessness and despite his diagnosis, he decided to live his Dream.
The Keenland thoroughbred sale began that very day, when the best young stock would be offered. He chose a filly from a strong line of Breeders Cup winners. He named her Unbridled Elaine and from the time she arrived at the 6D Farm, 641 Iron Works Pike, everything that happened to her was with one thing in mind: Winning. She was constantly positioned and trained to be victorious.
From the beginning, she was in a class later described as "just too good". Unbridled Elaine won her maiden race by 12 lengths. She continued on to win many Stakes Races on her way to qualify for the 2001 Breeders Cup Dystaff. She remained sound, good minded, flexible, and determined. She seemed to know exactly what she was bred to do!
My father stayed focused, ignored his sometimes excruciating pain and debilitating physical limitations, and the humiliation of a deteriorating body. He ignored people telling him it was impossible, that he was wasting precious time and money on a horse, "you can't just buy a Breeders' Cup winner", "you probably won't live long enough to see The Race". At the same time, he made many life-changing connections that would affect his destiny. He stayed expectant and open to opportunities as they presented themselves.
Unbridled Elaine qualified for the 2001 Breeders Cup. It was his Dream coming true. He knew it was a miracle to have gotten this far. He considered himself the luckiest man on earth!
One week before the Breeders Cup, Unbridled Elaine was moved to Dallas Stuarts barn. Everything in her regimented training schedule changed. She had a new feed introduced, new handlers, a new stall, and new stable-mates. Two days before the race she was flown to New York, arriving at yet another barn where it was some 30 degrees colder than Kentucky - nothing in her life was predictable. This much change would constitute major stress for any horse, and it could easily result in colic or even death. She went from being one of the favorites to win the distaff, to an invisible long shot.
When asked why he made the change my father said, "you can't go to the big one with someone you don't trust!" "I need the best connections to get this done!" He stayed true to his vision and set his face toward his Dream. He was called "tempestuous" and referred to as an "old man". It didn't cause him pause. He and his filly were going to the Breeders Cup!
On race day Elaine was ready. On her toes, under control, and focused. It was very cold and windy. One of the favorite mares had to be saddled outside and paddock because she couldn't handle the pressure of the day. Approaching the track, another one of the favorites reared up, fell over, hit her head on the ground, and later died. She had reacted to the tension, the roar of the crowds, and the whirling Special Forces helicopters overhead. The race was delayed to allow for the injured mare to be taken away in an ambulance. All the horses were off their routines and several more mares lost their composure. Elaine was now a long shot at 12:1. Commentators ignored her except to say, "I hope Roger Devenport knew what he was doing when he switched trainers."
The field of mares of the 2001 Breeders' Cup entered the starting gate. The gate opened and the mares spread out. The favorite took the front while Elaine was close to the back. They moved about some but remained in basically the same positions. At the closing turn they all started to make their final bids. When Elaine's jockey, Pat Day, asked her to run she bumped into the mare ahead of her and fell to her feet. Her head rose up, her ears went back, she dropped down, and stretched out. Elaine lurched sideways and ran three lengths toward the crowd before she engaged her long legs to pass the fastest mares in the world, winning the 2001 Breeders' Cup Distaff.
The impossibility of the situation made possible the miraculous!
This true story is the inspiration for Unbridled Faith Farm. It has reinforced the importance of living life to its fullest, and living your Dream in the midst of impossible circumstances.
This story also informs our mission: to lead individuals to make important Connections (between where they are and where they would like to be), show them how to regain their Balance (body, mind, heart, and spirit), so they can be Unbridled (free, liberated, and ready to live their Dream)!
Our offerings include clinics, camps, retreats, speakers, support groups, horse training and riding lessons, and Equine Assisted Learning.
Services can be tailored and scaled in scope to accommodate groups, teens, couples, families, and individuals.
We have unique, widely acclaimed leadership training and team building programs for organizations and businesses.
The farm has a fully equipped Meeting Center and concierge service. Bunkhouse and camping hookups are available. We can also create special packages to meet your specific needs.
Elaine Averill
Founder