Monterey Bay Equestrians

As I write this the Santa Cruz fire is 75% contained and the livestock evacuated to the fairgrounds have gone home. For most of us life returned to normal quickly.

Last Thursday was a nightmare for me and one that reoccurs. The dark, smoke filled sky, the guessing where the fire is and where it is going. The paralysis: should I hook my trailer up and go rescue? Do I stay and wait in case the fire turns and I need to get MY horses?

Shirley Henig shook me loose and we did join the effort at the fairgrounds. The turnout of trailers and volunteers showed how supportive our horse community is. The SCCHA contingent was everywhere, organizing evacuations, stalls, feed, care – whatever was needed. When Deb Tracey and I pulled into the SCCHA show grounds at 7p.m. Thursday night Laura Azzaro was there to greet us as well as the awesome Donna.

There were plenty of MBEers around as well for the duration. Did you know if you ask, Patricia Anderson will come and clean your pens, and feed and water a whole bunch of horses? And at 6:45 a.m.! Kim Schnittger was hauling horses and working the fairgrounds. Shirley and Nicole Henig were on duty every day.

My favorite image is Deb Tracy and I trying to unload a horse that had obviously never backed out of a trailer – Or maybe the picture of that 17.2 hander trying to squeeze into the last box of my trailer. Head in – ass out. I think he’ll fit. None of the halters would fit him so he had a custom lead rope Indian halter.

The goodness in this is the support more than equaled the task.

O.K., so we had to cancel the Henry Cowell campout to make room for the evacuees. I think we can find another weekend on the calendar for Henry Cowell if the members want it. Just let the board know your thoughts.

The Lake Sonoma ride is in three days so I am busy digging out the camping gear. It straddles May/June so I’ll give you all a report in the July newsletter.

Enjoy your summer

Maribeth