Teen ‘overwhelmed’ when her wish for a horse is granted
A Las Vegas teenager with a heart condition grew up watching “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” and dreaming of having her own horse to take care of one day. On Saturday, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevada made that dream come true.
Bailey King, of northwest Las Vegas, asked the foundation for a horse three years ago when her family moved to the valley, giving them the space to care for the animal. After meeting several horses, King told her family that Sierra, a 7-year-old bay mare, was her favorite.
Scott Rosenzweig, president and CEO of the Las Vegas-based nonprofit, said King was the 62nd recipient of a wish in the valley this year.
“They’ve always owned horses, but Bailey has never had a horse of her own,” Rosenzweig said. “We had to kiss a lot of frogs before we got a Sierra.”
When King arrived home in her sister’s car Saturday morning, she stepped out of the passenger side to hear cheers and see her family holding signs that read “Happy Wish Day” and “Your Wish Is Coming True.”
King was in tears and immediately described how calm and sweet Sierra was.
“I’m trying not to cry,” King said. “I’m overwhelmed in a good way. We’ve all been super patient because this is a really big wish, but I’m so thankful we were able to get it granted. I’m at a loss for words.”
King is the youngest of four children and a high school junior. She is considering attending the College of Southern Nevada after high school, especially after Saturday to stay close to her horse.
Her mom, Leah King, said the teen has been taking riding lessons for over a year. She has Long QT syndrome — a heart rhythm disorder — takes a beta blocker and has to get her pacemaker checked annually. King is in danger of hospitalization if her heart gets above 80 beats per minute, her mother said.
“This is the one sport she could do,” Leah King said.
Contact Sabrina Schnur at sschnur@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0278. Follow @sabrina_schnur on Twitter.
