2005 BEHS Scrapbook

March 12, 2005 – Jennifer Williams announces launch of BEHS at the AQHA Annual Convention

As an introduction to her talk on horse rescues at the American Quarter Horse Association’s annual convention in St. Louis, MO Jennifer Williams publicly announced the formation of BEHS.

April 2005 – Article “Introducing the Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society” runs in The Horse Gazette

April 2, 2005 – Giddings’ Co-Op Grand Opening – Giddings, Texas

BEHS Secretary Jodi Luecke set up a beautiful booth at the grand opening. She discussed BEHS and our role in the community and she recruited several new members.

 

 

April 2, 2005 - Chili Cook-off – Johnson City, Texas

BEHS Member Representative Sharon Martin-Holm and members Michael and Tricia Gilbreth ran this wonderful booth. Sharon even got aprons, caps, and t-shirts while Tricia supplied some great colorful BEHS pens!

 

 

April 2005 – Today’s Horse Magazine runs article “New Horse Rescue Organization Formed” featuring BEHS

April 8, 2005 – BEHS takes in first Horse

Phoenix was donated when his owner could no longer keep him. Prior to coming to BEHS, he had been badly abused and distrusted people. His foster home named him Phoenix to symbolize not only his new life, but the new start for the organization.

April 9, 2005 - Poteet Strawberry Festival – Poteet, Texas

Mona Alloway, Bobbi Smith, Leslie Yohe, Barbara Lucas and other BEHS members put this great booth together. They talked to a lot of potential members and helped spread our name.

 

 

April 16, 2005 – Lexington Leader Lifestyles section runs article “Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society” to introduce the organization to the community.

April 19, 2005 – Jennifer Williams speaks at the AHC/AAEP Unwanted Horse Educational Session

Jennifer Williams spoke about rescue and retirement centers at the Unwanted Horse Education Session sponsored by the American Association of Equine Practitioners at the American Horse Council Convention in Washington DC

April 30, 2005 - First Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society Social – Dayton, Texas

BEHS Director Marianne Skarpa opened her home in Dayton, Texas to BEHS members on April 30. Several members got together to eat some yummy food and chat about rescue and horses. Everyone had a great time, and we hope to do more of these get togethers throughout the state soon.

May 14-15, 2005 - Texas Equine Expo, Fort Worth, Texas

Members Tricia and Michael Gilbreth and Directors Sharon Martin-Holm and Wendy Taylor put together a great booth at this new event. They handed out so many tri-fold brochures on Saturday that they had to restock their supplies for Sunday! They talked to several potential members and sold BEHS merchandise.

May 14, 2005 – Adopt-a-Thon – Columbus, Texas

BEHS Directors Marianne Skarpa and Joanne Terry braved this Adopt-A-Thon to put on a nice booth to promote the rescue. They took donations and had a drawing for a bucket of horse supplies – and the bucket was won by our own Cindy Fanning! Congrats, Cindy!

May 21-22, 2005 – HoofFest – Benton, Arkansas

Director Tina Shalmy and member Kenna Graves spent the weekend in Benton, AR talking to potential members and the public about BEHS. They got a new membership, sold BEHS merchandise, and had a great time meeting people!

June 2005 – Texas Lawmen Magazine runs article “Horse Rescues and Sheriffs’ Offices: Working Together to Help Needy Equines written by Dr. Jennifer Williams and featuring BEHS

July 1, 2005 – Lake Hills Montessori – Austin, Texas

Leslie Schedler took a mare and colt miniature horse to visit her daughter’s Montessori school. The kids got the chance to meet and pet some miniature horses, and Leslie talked about the rescue. At the end of the day, the school made a donation to BEHS.

July 3, 2005 - Regina Anderson’s 4th of July Party - Kyle, Texas

Regina Anderson welcomed all BEHS members to her home on July 3 for a great celebration and party. About 30 BEHS members attended – and we even had three BEHS horses show up! Jennifer Williams test-rode BEHS horse Moose, and everyone had the opportunity to meet one of our newest seized horses, Pandora, and her foal. Everyone had a great time – watch for future get-togethers!

July 7. 2005 – Lexington Leader runs article “Starving and Dehydrated Horses Saved” about BEHS’ first seizure

July 8, 2005 - Dallas/Ft. Worth Area Members Dinner - Burleson, Texas

Several BEHS members met in Burleson, Texas for a great dinner at On the Border. Not only did everyone get tons of time to chat – Tina Shalmy brought BEHS T-shirts, caps, and koozies – and sold out! Everyone seemed to have a great time, and we had the chance to meet some of our wonderful new members.

July 9, 2005 – BEHS Films show for RFD-TV’s Horse Sense – Burleson, Texas

BEHS directors and members brought foster horses to Burleson, Texas to film the show. The show features segments on adoption, fostering, rehabilitation, and more.

 

 

BEHS members attended the Equestrian Market Day at A&M.  The event was huge with plenty of equestrian apparel, tack, and other horsey items for sale. Our members got a chance to talk to a lot of people about BEHS as well as sell T-shirts and other items. They also met a lovely family who ended up adopting BEHS horse Moonshine about a month later.

Wendy and Mearl Taylor took their BEHS adopted horse Dream Girl to the Homeless Animals Day Candlelight Vigil in Carrollton, TX. They reported that Dream Girl was a huge hit - DG whinnied every time the "big dogs" came by and got her picture taken by many of the attendees. She nickered at folks as they walked by and if they did not acknowledge her, she would spin around and do a little dance.

Although the day was hot, the event was a success! Attendees got to talk to BEHS members, pet the tiny donkey, horse, and other animals in the petting zoo, bid on great items in the live and silent auction, and take a ride on a wagon pulled by two gorgeous Belgians. Everyone had a great time and Ralph and Lacy raised a lot of money for BEHS!

Joanne Terry opened her farm and home for a trail horse clinic. Several BEHS members attended as well as three BEHS horses – Fandango, Beau, and Moonshine. Everyone has a great time and Joanne looks forward to hosting another clinic in the future!

 

September 10, 2005 - Morgan Horse Celebration – San Marcos

Thank you to Regina Anderson, Susan Brown, Pam and Enes Archung, and Ari Pettigrew for working this booth. Regina reported that the crowd was small, but she still spoke with several people who were interested in learning more about the rescue.

BEHS Treasurer Ari Pettigrew worked at the Golfing Fore Pets event. The event did not draw as many golfers as usual, but the event still raised about $1200 for BEHS! Thank you to Ari Pettigrew, Janet Sims, Dr. Chuck Vandermause, and Ted Keyser.

October 6, 2005 - Feeding the Senior Horse Seminar – Fort Worth

Wendy, Mearl, and Stephanie Taylor attended this event and were ready to talk about BEHS! Wendy reports that she was able to talk to several people who are interested in joining BEHS as well as local store owners and a Purina rep. The Purina rep is sending Wendy back numbers to use for her show, and the store owners requested trifolds and flyers that they can hand out to customers. Great job, Taylor family!

Mane Mission was set up as the biggest parade in the world in an attempt to get in the Guinness Book of World Records. The event drew people from all over and included a great vendor’s area. Sharon Martin-Holm set up the booth on Saturday and spoke with a lot of people about BEHS and what we do. Wendy and Mearl Taylor attended on Sunday and spoke to even more people. This booth was great exposure for us, and I hope we see some new members from it soon! Thank you Sharon, Wendy, and Mearl!

Ari Pettigrew and Brian Garvey attended this great event for us. While Ari noted that attendance was down from previous years, she estimates that they spoke to at least 200 people. Dr. LuAnn Groves stopped by to learn about the new rescue and offered discounted veterinary services to BEHS. Another veterinarian, Jill Todd, donated a case of CD-ROMS entitled "The Parasite Problem: A New Puzzle" for us to sell as a fundraiser.

Ari noted that they had set aside room for us to bring animals, so next year we want to plan on having some BEHS horses, donkeys, and mules on hand to greet the public and beg for donations.

Thank you to the participants and volunteers who attended our first horse show. Attendance was not what we expected, but the rescue still made money thanks to class sponsorships and donations. We learned a lot on how to make future shows flow better and those who attended had a great time.

Ralph and Loretta opened their home to BEHS members to have a fun get-together. Everyone ate tons and talked for hours. We even had a surprise visit from Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue Organization’s (HERO) president Deb Barlow. Everyone who came seemed to have a great time!

Tina Shalmy and Kenna Graves participated in the 1st annual southern horse expo held in Warren Ar Nov. 4th & 5th.  They participated in the parade throwing candy and advertising BEHS and had a booth both days.  They sold a couple of Koozies and gave out several membership packs and tri-fold brochures while getting a little donation money.

BEHS’ second show had a nice turnout. The weather was gorgeous, the arena was great, and the horses were stunning. Many of the attendees were happy to learn about a rescue in their area and will be looking us up on the internet!

Although the 1st BEHS Virtual Horse Show was initially met with skepticism by many BEHS members, this event turned out to be a great fundraiser for the rescue. We had 65 people enter 195 horses in the 26 classes. All of our participants reported having a great time, and results of the show are now available on our website at http://www.bluebonnetequine.org/virtualshow/

Marietta Benson and her family put on a great benefit playday for BEHS in Friendswood. The family has been doing playdays for over 40 years – so they have their routine down! The event flowed smoothly and we met a lot of nice people who were interested in learning more about the rescue.

Our Vice President Regina Anderson opened up her home for a day full of trail ride, fishing, eating, and good fun! Several members showed up to enjoy an afternoon of good company. The evening was topped off with a "Chinese auction" gift exchange – but everyone at this event was nice and stuck with the gifts they picked up! Gifts included alfalfa, halter, horse decorations, videos, and more! Thank you to Regina for all of your hard work – and thanks to everyone who came.