Marylanders Paying it Forward In October, T e Equiery asked its readers to


nominate staff , organizers, volunteers and hors- es that have had an impact on the Maryland horse community through one of our State’s many non-profi t philanthropic organizations. We received several nominations which were then reviewed by a committee with three se- lected here for print. T is year, the committee selected one volunteer, one staff /organizer and one horse to be honored in T e Equiery’s fi rst November Giving Issue. T is year’s winners have all had a positive im-


pact on their non-profi t organizations. From a recently retired school teacher now dedicat- ing her days to Gentle Giants, to a trainer who pairs unwanted horses with children who help transform them into show horses, to a horse that has spent the past 20 years patiently teach- ing campers, these individuals have touched the lives of many. Here are their stories as told by the people who


submitted their nominations. In addition, all nominations submitted will be posted on equi- ery.com throughout the month of November.


Volunteer Patty Mitchell


submitted by Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue Patty has been a volunteer at Gentle Giants


for years, off ering her weekends without fail to come feed the horses come rain, snow or shine. Despite working full time as a special educa- tor for Montgomery County schools, Patty has always found time to make the horses of Gentle Giants a prior- ity in her life. Patty gives of her time


selfl essly, willing to feed 130+ horses and then tasking


herself with


tackling the less glamor- ous and unpleasant, but deeply needed, projects like cleaning, organiz- ing, and never-ending blanket management. She sweeps the cleanest barn aisle one has ever seen, and she is endless- ly patient with guiding new volunteers. Patty recently retired from teaching, and in


It’s thanks to Patty, and the many volunteers of organizations everywhere that embody her spirit of giving, that the animal rescue world keeps turning ‘round! T anks, Patty! We love you!


Wonderful Watson


submitted by Alex Abella, Equestrian Center Director of YMCA Camp Letts One might think that the


fi rst nomination for an ex- ceptional individual who has given to the Maryland eques- trian community would be a human, but what is the eques- trian world without horses? Horses ARE what equestrian is all about and no horse has given more to the Maryland equestrian community than Watson, lesson horse extraor- dinaire at the YMCA Camp Letts Equestrian Center. T is uniquely noble and generous soul arrived as a summer camp horse when he was only two- years-old. Unbelievable, yes, but a true measure of what a remarkable being he was already at such a young age. Since then, he has been a summer camp horse for twenty years, teach- ing sixteen children per week their fi rst walk, trot and canter. With nine weeks of summer, that is 2,880 riders over twenty years, and that doesn’t even include his other achievements! After gifting wide smiles and creating lifelong passions


dur-


Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue volun- teer Patty Mitchell


her newfound freedom she has recommitted herself to the horses of Gentle Giants. Patty runs several morning shifts at the Gentle Gi- ants Sanctuary, as well as fi lling in at the main farm and always being game for special events. She has selfl essly logged thousands of hours, and shows no sign of slowing down!


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ing the summer, Wat- son was busy creating equestrian dreams the rest of the year. He was a regular lesson horse and a winning show horse that earned the nickname “Mr. Conge- niality,” for his aff able nature and funny antics: stealing donuts from


the judge’s table and eating the jump fl owers in the middle of a hunter round were part of his regular routine. Today, Watson is still doing his job master-


fully, fi ve days a week, packing kids around the ring that can barely climb up his 16-hand frame and preparing to give a wonderful older adult her dressage century ride. He has also launched many equestrian careers, including a veterinary


student who is about to graduate and has off ered him a retirement home as soon as he needs it. A solid chestnut registered American Paint Horse, Watson was per- haps a disappointment to his breeder but he has been the most beloved redhead in Anne Arun- del County for over two decades. And for the current director of the equestrian center, he is a daily example of gener- osity, tolerance and love of life. Watson doesn’t just make the Maryland equestrian community better, he makes better and happier humans, and that is giving at its core.


YMCA Camp Letts Equestrian Cen- ter’s Watson


Safe Haven’s Tina Snyder


submitted by…many! (see


names with each quote) “Tina is an amazing human who has dedicated her life to advocating for the humane treatment of horses. An outstanding trainer, coach, men- tor, and all-around horse woman, any given day could consist of her teaching multiple classes of our future horsemen/women, educating our policy makers on important equine legislation such as the SAFE Act, and getting up every few hours of the night to provide veterinary treatment to a horse newly rescued from the slaughterhouse pipeline. T ere is no doubt that Tina deserves to be recognized for the amaz- ing work she does through Safe Haven Equine Warriors.” – Ashleigh Martini


“Tina is certainly the most selfl ess individual I’ve ever met. She has dedicated the past 25 years of her life to saving horses and people. T rough Safe Haven Equine Warriors, Tina, a warrior in her own right, saves horses on the brink of death and rehabilitates, re-trains, and re-homes them. She makes many personal sac- rifi ces in order to save the horses that she does. Recently, when one of Safe Haven Equine Warrior’s new rescues, Merlin, had an infec- tion in his eye that required injections into a port every two hours for the course of several months, it was Tina and Tina alone that woke up every two hours to inject Merlin, all the while maintaining her grueling teaching and showing schedule. Because of Tina, Merlin’s eye was saved.” – Adi Ruekgaue


“I have known Tina Snyder for 9 years. In ev- continued...


NOVEMBER 2019 | THE EQUIERY | 19


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