Blane Servis

For as long as he can remember, Nick Brawner has always had someone in his corner. It began with his father--his best friend and the man who taught him the true meaning of empathy. Years later, it was Josh Bryan, who helped him through his early stages of recovery and showed him how a profound peace can by found by working with horses. Just over a year ago, Brawner lost both men within a span of a few weeks. It was a period of staggering grief, but by coming out...

For all the incredible experiences Blane Servis remembers from when his father John campaigned champion Smarty Jones, there were a few less-than-comfortable memories too. Take, for instance, the time during Smarty Jones's run for the Triple Crown when Servis's school hosted a pep rally and made a teenaged Servis the guest of honor. As a self-described socially awkward kid, stepping into the spotlight felt a bit more like a nightmare than a celebration. In high school, Servis discovered that drinking was the easiest solution to overcoming his social anxiety. Later,...