Kailey Paul, 14, rides Greatful with the help of Cathy Grady, one of the head trainers at Holly Hill Farm, Friday, June 30 at the Lake Placid Horse Show. Paul, a brain cancer patient, was given a day of pampering at the horse show through the efforts of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

On Friday afternoon, June 30, Kailey Paul, a 14-year-old horse enthusiast from West Sand, New York, and her parents sauntered through booths that sell clothing, photographs, gifts and other treasures loved by the Lake Placid Horse Show equestrian community.

Unbeknownst to Kailey, who is living with brain cancer, her Make-A-Wish Foundation request was about to come true in ways far beyond her imagination.

Since about 4, Kailey has loved horses and began riding ponies at age 5. Within a year-and-a-half, she started showing. Last year, now an accomplished young rider, Kailey’s health began to deteriorate. An MRI at Albany Medical Center revealed that she had a brain tumor, and within 24 hours, she was in surgery and, shortly after, beginning her chemotherapy treatments.

“I received an email from Make-A-Wish Northeast,” said Lorissa Martin, executive assistant at the Lake Placid Horse Show Association. “Addressing cancer is very important to my family. I lost both of my grandparents to cancer; my uncle is a cancer survivor. So, I want to make Kailey’s wish even bigger and better. I got on the phone with WPTZ NBC5, reached out to the Lake Placid News, and I hope she’ll remember this experience forever. Cancer in my family has opened my eyes. I’ve watched my grandparents and uncle struggle; cancer impacts the whole family; it makes your passion for living and life even better. Kailey’s strength is impressive; she’s my hero.”

“I was taken aback when I got the email from Make-A-Wish and learned that our brand is so strong that having one of our jackets would be a child’s wish,” said equestrian ware designer Charles Ancona. “Of course, I couldn’t say no. We, of course, will do far more than provide her a jacket; we’re going to set her up with everything, jacket, vest, pants, gloves and more.”

Brain cancer patient Kailey Paul meets Charles Ancona and John French on June 30 at the Lake Placid Horse Show as part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation visit. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

Ancona clothing, worn by nearly all the top riders, is custom-tailored to each rider. They’re popular because they are light, flexible and water repellent, as Charles demonstrated to Kailey during her fitting by pouring a bottle of water on her arm and she watching it fall like water off a duck’s back. Further, Ancona personalizes the lining so that while black on the outside, they enable the riders to wear their favorite colors into the ring. Kailey selected purple and blue, her favorite color combination.

“When Make-A-Wish contacted me, I called Marty Bauman at the horse show and suggested we do it at Lake Placid as I always attend that show; it’s an iconic show, one of the best in the country,” said Ancona. “Marty immediately agreed and reached out to Lorissa and the Mirror Lake Inn. It’s like, when one person jumps in, everybody jumps in.”

Kailey had never been to Lake Placid. She has shown in smaller shows like Saugerties, so coming to the Lake Placid Horse Show was a long-term dream. Staying at the Mirror Lake Inn was beyond her imagination, an experience for the whole family treasured.

“The accommodations at the Inn, Oh, my god, they are beautiful,” said Donna Paul, Kailey’s mother. “We don’t usually stay in hotels, so when we walked in, she said, ‘Mom, we don’t normally stay in places so fancy. Why?’ I said, ‘Oh, we got a great deal on it,’ as I didn’t want to tell her then it was part of the Make-A-Wish contribution. She loves staying there. We all do.”

Albany Med’s oncology department contacted Scott Liloia, a cancer survivor and senior manager of wish granting at Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.

Scott Liloia, a cancer survivor and senior manager of wish granting at Make-A-Wish Northeast New York poses with Lorissa Martin, Lake Placid Horse Show Association executive assistant on June 30 at the North Elba Show Grounds. (Provided photo — Naj Wikoff)

“Your medical condition doesn’t define you; it doesn’t make you who you are,” said Liloia. “It’s a bump in the road that makes you stronger and more resilient. Cancer gives you a greater appreciation for the little things and life in general. Make-A-Wish has shown me the strength of community. We can’t do what we do without volunteers and the many individuals and organizations like Charles Ancona, the Lake Placid Horse Show and the Mirror Lake Inn that are supporting Kailey.”

Fulfilled wishes give more than just joy; research has shown their impact on cancer survivors and their families is robust and long-lasting.

“This is by far the best day of my life,” said Kailey. “This is so cool. I’ve never had an experience like this. It’s so special; I feel so blessed. I love Charles Ancona. It’s the best. It’s so stretchy. The fabric is so breathable, which is especially important on hot days. And it’s waterproof as well. It’s amazing. It’s the epitome of perfection. And meeting John French (World Champion Hunter rider), that too was amazing. He’s such a classic rider. It’s so beautiful watching him ride.”

“Riding calms her down,” said her mom. “On the worst; days, we’ll go to the barn, and even if she can’t ride, she’ll just groom the horses and spend time with them. Horses are very intuitive animals: they can take away your stress.”

“Living with cancer, I’ve learned you can’t take anything for granted,” said Kailey. “It’s tough diagnosis, but it taught me life is very special. I was back on a horse a month after surgery. Riding is my therapy. It makes me feel so relaxed. I don’t feel so anxious, and it’s enjoyable. For others who get diagnosed with cancer, don’t think the worst. I did, and then I adapted.”

“I think Make-A-Wish started as a good thing to do for the kids and the families,” said Andrew Weibrecht of the Mirror Lake Inn, who served five years on the Make-A-Wish Northeast New York board. “Over time, research has shown that the benefits of the wishes have a positive therapeutic effect on the kids. On the most basic level, it provides a kid dealing with a difficult situation a way to be a kid for a short period of time and forget about their illness.”

Kailey ended the day having that moment by taking a riding lesson under the guidance of Cathy Grady, one of the head trainers at Holly Hill Farm, who said she wanted to provide Kailey time just with a horse, time not talking or thinking about cancer.

“Kailey has a great position on the horse,” said Grady. “She’s nice and tall. Her leg goes around her horse very well. Her eye follows where she’s going. She’s got a beautiful follow with her horse. She’s a lovely rider and loves the horses; you can tell with her hands so soft, her eyes ahead of her looking where she’s going, and her heels are down. She’s just what you want to see.”

Kailey was clearly in another place as she and the horse became one, cantering about the ring.

“This was my first time in Lake Placid,” said Kailey. “I definitely want to come back. I’ll bring my jumper the next time I come.”

(Naj Wikoff lives in Keene Valley. He has been covering events for the Lake Placid News for more than 15 years.)