Hi my name is Noreen Blackmer. I am the proud mother of Riley Blackmer #385. I would like to thank Zoo Ministries for the opportunity they have given my son to live his dream. Since Riley was a little boy he always loved motorbikes. At the age of 12 he began racing at local races. As Riley grew older my husband and I seen the strong desire in Riley to take this to a higher level. When Riley was 17 my husband Mike decided to look at the internet and search for a christian organization that put God first and had a excellent training program. Mike found Zoo Ministries and from there he contacted Steve Shippy. This is where our story begins, it was not long and Mike and Riley where headed to California to do training with Steve and a few of his other trainers. It has been 2 years now and I have to say it has been a journey that a mother who loves her son so very much will never forget. My journey began when Riley began his love for motorcross. I have to say I have went through every emotion from FEAR, ANXIETY, EXCITEMENT, TO TOTALLY PUTTING MY TRUST IN GOD. Motorcross is a very dangerous sport and for most mothers this can be very draining on your emotions. When Riley began racing for Zoo Ministries I seen positive things happen in his life. I seen the dedication and commitment he had to this sport. His spiritual life began to grow and as a mother this is so important to know my son had trainers who prayed for him before every race. Zoo also has Bible Studies that all the racers attend and this is a comfort to me as a mother knowing Riley had a strong spiritual leader training him. I would like to THANK Steve Shippy for all the training, love and support he has given to Riley. THANK YOU for believing in him and helping him to that next level. THANK YOU Mike Shippy and family for taking Riley in as part of your family and showing him he has what it takes to make the pros. Mike has been a mechanic for Riley and we so appreciate all the hard work and maintenance he has done on the bikes. THANK YOU Craig Cannoy and family for taking Riley in as part of your family and allowing him to live with you while he was in California. Riley moved to California for 4 months and while he was there he trained hard and focused his life on motorcross. Riley returned to Canada in May to continue on traveling accross Canada for the Pro Nationals. On May 27th Riley was practicing at a local track when he went down hard and suffered a compounded femur brake and also internal bleeding. As a mother this was hard for me to see my son work so hard and come home and have a accident that put him out for the season. I am so THANKFUL TO GOD for keeping Riley from any worse injury and I have to say I have peace that he is going to heal and go back stronger than ever. Riley has kept strong through this whole time and I know it is because of all the prayers and support he has been given. Motorcross has given us the time to meet amazing families. Some mothers have said to me that we are crazy and how can you let your son do such a sport, but for all you mothers out there that have sons who race all we can do is support them and love them. Pray for peace and I know for me this has been a answer to prayer, because I know it is only GOD who has put this in my heart. Riley keep strong and dont give up on your dreams. I LOVE YOU SON!!! God willing Riley will be returning to California to train in the fall for supercross. THANKS AGAIN TO ZOO MINISTRIES FOR ALL YOUR PRAYER AND SUPPORT. We appreciate all the LOVE and FREINDSHIP that you have given to our family. GOD BLESS NOREEN BLACKMER