Horse trainer, Joanna Ruffino of Rocky Mountain Performance Horses located in Fort Collins, Colorado shared a feel good story with us that we wanted to share with our readers. Ruffino specializes in all around kid-safe ponies that can pleasure, pattern ride, jump, rein, trail, work cattle, and gymkahna. Ruffino and her clients are active in the Colorado and national Pony Of Americas (POA) club.
In trainer, Joanna Ruffino’s own words.
The month of September brought rains and devastating flooding to the state of Colorado and its horse community. One family it particularly affected was the Alexanders. They lost their three year-old son’s pony, Snow White, to complications during this awful time. They put thousands of dollars into trying to save her which left them no money for a replacement prospect.
Three year-old, Robbie Alexander, loved Snow White and was just getting into really riding, and was so sad when she passed. I knew, as their horse trainer, that this was a crucial period in a child’s life when learning to ride, and decided to find them another pony, a free pony.
I contacted several POA members who I thought may have a pony just hanging out in a pasture that the Alexander’s could use. I eventually came in contact with Alison Esler, and her lovely POA mare, Fanny. Fanny was a small bombproof black and white leopard that loves little boys; she was perfect.
Arrangements were made to surprise the family by bringing back this pony from the POA International Futurity and Sale. I organized a free ride, and the POA National Board of Directors generously donated several hundred towards the stall and shavings.
And that’s not all! During the sale, we discovered that not only did we find this awesome pony but it just so happens that she arrived on the little boy’s birthday! The POA Club rose to the occasion again. They held a donation session during the auction and raised over $400 to buy Robby birthday tack for his new pony. He was refurbished with a whole new pony, and all new tack to ride her with all due to the donations of this glorious club. Fanny showed up at Robby’s birthday party decked out in her birthday finest, and is now happily teaching him how to ride!
