The first will be last and the last will be first…
This quote from Matthew 20:16 is such a great verse to describe this year’s Derby. Not only does it characterize the Kentucky Derby’s underdog winner, Rich Strike, but also Narrow Gate’s own Derby Ball.
This was our very first fundraiser. It has been canceled for two years in a row due to COVID. In general, people love a “rags to riches” story. For me, this was a “two for one” deal.
The odds were 80-1 that Rich Strike would win the race. In fact, he was only added to the line up the day before the race after another horse scratched. His owner learned of the opening about 30 seconds before the entry deadline. Rich Strike’s team, the trainer, owner, groomer, and jockey, knew they had a winner, but the rest of the world didn’t even know he existed.
The race was a sight to behold. One need not be an equine enthusiast to appreciate what took place.
I couldn’t restrain my cheers as I watched this unknown horse surging from behind.
I’ve always had a soft spot
for the underdog.
It happened so quickly that one had to be watching intently as this bundle of equine energy began passing contenders one after the other during the last stint of the race. Few had placed bets on this horse. Few knew who the trainer was. Few knew who the owner was. And even fewer knew their stories. But in less than 3 minutes, the world knew the whole team! It was truly a sight to behold! It was like watching Secretariat all over again.
The following day, as I learned the back story of this horse, I couldn’t help but see the metaphor between Rich Strike’s story and Narrow Gate’s story. As one of the newest non-profits in Kokomo, many had never heard of us. Our team knew that we had a “winner”, but many in the community were still unaware of us six years later.
Volunteers spent countless hours toiling over every detail of our first fundraiser. As the director, I hoped to attract at least 200 people to the event.
Four weeks prior to the Derby Ball, as I arrived at a committee meeting, one of our chairpersons looked intently at me and exclaimed with a stern look, “We have to talk.” My heart began to race. What she said next nearly dropped me to my knees. “I think we have sold out of tickets! In fact, I think we have oversold by about 30 tickets!”
This WAS a problem… but a GOOD problem!
After much counting, re-counting, and securing an overflow room at the event center, we “won” our race. The Derby Ball was a success. Over 300 people attended including the mayor, commissioner, state representative, and city attorney to mention only a few. The “Best Hat Contest” not only attracted the women but men as well. Food, fun, friendships, and laughter all prevailed while a silent auction, live auction, and donations helped us raise over $83,000 to assist in building an indoor arena so we can serve kids year round.
As I pondered these similar underdog stories, it dawned on me that the comparison of Rich Strike with our Derby Ball was not the only metaphor.
The more important analogy is the one of the kids we serve.
They typically come from hard places where little is expected of them. They are usually not on the Who’s Who list in Kokomo. They are not known in the community as great athletes, fair queens, cheerleaders, or star students. They often come to the ranch broken in spirit but with hopes of meeting a horse who will accept them as they are.
As our team builds relationships with these kids, we see their potential. We see that although they might make all F’s on their grade cards they are smart and have gifts.
We see that they are winners.
As the horses help the students recognize their own unique abilities and gifts, these kiddos begin to run their race with more confidence, more tools, and more relationships with those who can help them succeed.
With much prayer, they too will come from behind to win their race!
