Nicki Branch, founder of Falcon Ridge Equine Rescue in Valley Center said her rescue began in 2002, and rescues about 50 horses a year. Half of those horses are from private owners, those who lost their job, or for whatever reason just cannot afford to care for their horse anymore. Those are perfectly fine, sound horses. The other 25 are from local humane agencies, including the San Diego Humane Society and the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services.
Nicki Branch, founder of Falcon Ridge Equine Rescue in Valley Center said her rescue began in 2002, and rescues about 50 horses a year. Half of those horses are from private owners, those who lost their job, or for whatever reason just cannot afford to care for their horse anymore. Those are perfectly fine, sound horses. The other 25 are from local humane agencies, including the San Diego Humane Society and the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services. “They’ll be out in the field, see that an owner has a skinny horse and he is moving tomorrow, or its neglect cases,” she said.
Then, they rehabilitate the horses and adopt them out at a very successful rate to private families.
“Horses are family and they should be so for life,” she said. “I also promote that horses do not have to be rideable. You can get just as much value out of your horse by going out and grooming it, walking it down the street, just being with it.”
This is just one of six horse rescue charities that the Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society raised money for at its fourth Wild West Casino Night held at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds on Sept. 19.
And, these Victorian Roses flourished within the old western theme, taking everyone there on an incredible adventure for a great cause. Underneath all of the Victorian regalia, this group of women is as elegant as the Victorian era they represent, and bonded by their love of horses, history and philanthropy.
Craps, roulette, poker and blackjack ruled the room as players betted for raffle tickets for a generous amount of donated items. Many took a chance on the 50/50 raffle and others closely watched the bidding of their favorite item in the silent auction. Door prizes, limited edition glasses and live auctioned handmade bar stools mixed in with the camaraderie of people in an old western saloon.
Dyan Paquette and Deana Sommerville, co-founders of the Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society said the event just gets better and this year it us able to help six 501(c) 3 horse rescues throughout San Diego County.
A long trail ride for a group of women that decided to organize a group to ride in the Rose Parade, and now is a formidable force in the art giving back. The Victorian Roses has grown to 24 women that ride, drive anywhere from minis to drafts and a wide assortment of horses.
However, they want more.
Sommerville said they dream eventually of other chapters of the Victorian Rose Ladies in other areas that can make an impact in their communities.
To find out more about the Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society visit www.victorianroses.org.
Wild West Casino Night 4 benefitted six horse rescue charities.
* Falcon Ridge Equine Rescue
www.falconridgerescue.org
* Hicaliber Horse Rescue
www.hicaliber.org
* Horses or Tir Na Nog
www.horsesoftirnanog.org
* Star Bright Ranch
Facebook-Star Bright Ranch
* Rocking Horse Ranch
www.rockinghorseranch.org
* Saving Horses, Inc.
www.savinghorsesinc.com
