10/15/2024
*Check out the updated photos to see the growing list of sponsors and raffle donors!
KC Area Horse Stable Holds Benefit Fun Show for Georgia-Florida Horse Owners Devastated by Hurricane Helene
Organized by an equine veterinarian and Arrow S Equine, KC horse community to raise money for Georgia-Florida horse owners with severe losses.
(BUCYRUS, KANSAS) Oct. 15 – Hurricane Helene roared through the South and in the midst of its damaging rains, floods and storms, those with livestock also took major hits with losses of feed, hay and the need for veterinary medical supplies.
Local Kansas City area equine veterinarian Dr. Quinley Koch, Elite Equine Veterinary Services, her sister Courtney Simon of Pure Movement, and Sami Sims of Arrow S Equine in Bucyrus, Kan., are organizing a benefit equine fun show for Sunday, Oct. 20, to help Horseback Heroes, Inc., in Lowndes County, Georgia on the Georgia-Florida line, to distribute help where needed in their local hard-hit horse community which is over 1,000 miles away. Horseback Heroes is a therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with special needs and is based at Hidden Creek Farms.
Koch’s friend, Tessa Greene Carder, runs Horseback Heroes. “Last summer they had a barn fire that destroyed everything, including all of the tack for the riders,” Koch says. “Elite Equine ran a drive to replace their tack and I took my trailer full of donated tack so they could start riding again. Tessa is the kindest human I know, but hates asking for help. When she reached out asking for help, I knew this was serious.”
Carder is organizing relief for local farms and says damages include homes lost or severely damaged by falling trees and wind, crushed vehicles, destroyed crops, food spoilage, destroyed fencing, misplaced livestock and the worst, loss of life. “We lost an entire load of feed when the wind flipped our feed trailer,” Carder says. “Another riding program, Jacob’s Ladder, that also serves people with special needs, lost their entire hay barn which was full of hay for the winter. Two local veterinarians who provide low-cost services lost the bulk of their supplies. Insurance companies are offering the bare minimum.”
Arrow S Equine, located just west of Stilwell, Kan., is a boarding, lesson and training facility run by Sami Sims. “It’s important that we, as an equine-based community, come together in times of need,” Sims says. “In a blink of an eye anything could happen to anyone of us. And who do you turn too? Who do you call when everyone for hundreds of miles has had their supplies demolished? The local horse community knows that while it’s fortunate we are in an area without the threat of hurricanes or other major natural disasters, a tornado or a barn fire could just as easily create an immediate need.”
These horsewomen agree that the equine community is one that is difficult to find anywhere else. “No matter what the disaster, be it a natural disaster, a family emergency, a horse emergency or a vehicle emergency, the equine community always bands together and takes care of each other,” Koch says.
Carder agrees. “Disasters don’t pick and choose which barn, which horse or which owner based on status, race, religion or opinion. We understand it can always happen to us, and when it does, support from the horse community, near and far, is so important for recovery.”
The three-event fun show starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at Arrow S Equine, 11060 W. 199th Street, Bucyrus, Kan. (two miles west of 69 Hwy on 199th St.), and will consist of barrel racing, pole bending and a “mystery” event. All types of participants and breeds of horses are welcome, whether you are experienced or just want to participate in one of the five age divisions (9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-49 and 50+).
The $40 entry fee covers all three events, and there will be prizes for high-point awards through third place in each division.
Spectators are welcome (no charge) and encouraged to visit the concessions sponsored by Elite Equine and Pure Movement, and purchase raffle tickets for great prizes such as equine acupuncture and chiropractic, human dry needling, horse feed and treats, stall shavings, a wine & cheese basket, jewelry and much more! ALL proceeds will benefit Horseback Heroes and their support of their local horse community.
Donations for the raffle are still being accepted! Contact Dr. Quinley Koch at 316-249-0442. Check out the Arrow S Equine page for updates. If you can’t make the event but would like to donate money to the cause, contact Dr. Quinley Koch.
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