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year with it on, because he had told me about the hernia.
“At first, it was kind of hard. I wasn’t used to it, to wearing it. After a while, I got used to having it. I put it on the whole time.”
Now that he’s back riding, and has a Champion Appaloosa as well, Vega looked back fondly on all those who stepped up to help
him and his family in the wake of the cancer diagnosis. A silent auction took place during
the 2019 Heritage Place Winter Mixed Sale, and there also was a fundraising campaign on Facebook. The help was needed, especially since Vega’s surgery ended up being more complicated than expected.
“I had people who helped me a lot,” he said. “Friends, they would bring us food
or they’d give us a little bit of money so we could buy groceries for me and my family.
I had people who helped us from a lot of states: Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, we had people from a lot of places that helped us, supported us. They donated so many things for the silent auction. I tell you what, I didn’t think that thing was going to be that big, you know? But a lot of people supported me, and I still appreciate what they did for me. For me and my family.”
The collective effort to support the Vega family spoke volumes about the greater racing community, and its willingness
to step up when one member of that community was in time of need.
“There’s so many people that stepped up,” Wilkinson said. “It’s just inspiring. It still is.”
Meanwhile, Wilkinson still wonders if some greater providence has been in play, even dating back to the accident itself.
“Probably this wreck saved his life,” he mused regarding Vega. “He wouldn’t have found it until it was really bad.
Vega agreed:
“He’s been
good to us,” he
said of Royal Chachingalinga.
“He’s been a
blessing. Thank God for him. We found
that cancer and he’s just been a nice horse.”
Royal Chachingalina is owned by Fabiola Vega.
a blessing. Thank
God for
him. We found the
cancer and he’s just been
a nice horse.”
Vega’s daughters Valentina & Fabiola with 2019 Appaloosa Champion Royal Chachingalina.
“When I take them [Valentina & Fabiola] to the barn and
go see him, they get excited. I think the horse does, too. When they go see him, he goes to them and just puts
his head down and lets them pet him all over.”
SPEEDHORSE April 2020 101
“He’s been