Martini raised our suspicions that something was afoot when she continued her great belly expansion... despite the best dieting efforts. While the timing was off, the appearance was undeniable. She sure looked pregnant! A blood test and an ultrasound later, and we are proudly expecting a baby around October. Martini was rescued from New Holland where we outbid a kill buyer for her. We have no idea what she is possibly bred with.
May 2, 2010 - Saddleview Horse Show
Quite a few volunteers and lessons students went out to this schooling show at Saddleview Ranch in Urbana, MD so we could strut our stuff! Gentle Giants horses went in classes ranging from Halter (with several very positive comments from the judge as well as several ribbons), to English Pleasure, Equitation, and Jumping. Many onlookers were heard to "ooh" and "aah" over the big drafts and quite a few people approached us to compliment our horses! All in all, it was a great learning experience for us and we were able to bring home a few ribbons as well!
Gentle Giants Hosts First Schooling Show!
On April 24, 2010, Gentle Giants hosted its first ever benefit schooling show at Schooley Mill Park in Highland, MD. Local competitors participated in classes ranging from walk/trot flat classes, to jumper courses, to fun classes like "egg and spoon" and "ride a buck".
There were a wide variety of competitors, from children to adults and from horses to ponies to drafts and mules! It was truly a great experience to see so many folks come out and have a good time with their equines. (all while helping out a good cause, of course!) Universally, feedback was very positive with many people saying they would return again for future shows (the next one is scheduled for May 30 and will also be held at Schooley Mill!).
Already, we've got plans for how to make the upcoming shows even better and we'd love to have you there to watch the action! You can find more information about these benefit shows to be hosted by the rescue on our Facebook page!
A Visit From Hollywood!
Gentle Giants was honored to receive a visit from three time Emmy Award Winning Actor and draft horse enthusiast Charles Dutton! Mr. Dutton has countless accolades and awards for his acting skills on the screen and stage, but he has also long been passionate about draft horses; showing some of his own top notch horses in driving, pulling, and halter competitions. We appreciate his support and concern for the welfare of drafts everywhere.
March 27, 2010 Spring Clean Up!
This years Annual Spring Clean Up was a huge success! With a good sized fleet of volunteers, many who were repeat participants, we managed to tackle every job on the chore list!
A crew of volunteer carpenters finished out the new shed with oak boards in preparation of building three new stalls. Foxy supervised with a strict eye for detail, making sure every nail was picked up and the hay was left undisturbed. Additional crews cleared debris from the woods, repaired fence lines, and replaced loose gate posts where some of the bigger horses had gotten pushy. Crews worked in the barn scrubbing down stalls with bleach and putting away the winter blankets. Tack and grooming supplies were cleaned well and disinfected, and the carriages received a hearty polish. Special thanks to laura, Danny, Kelly, Jamie, and Kerri for beginning the arduous task of building kick walls in the riding arena.
The rescues two most dedicated volunteers, Pixie and Spirit, worked the hardest throughout the day making sure they had a nose in every task. Not a child went unlicked, nor a dropped chip unattended to. They were particularly of help at lunchtime.
Annual Wine Tasting March 14th, 2010
Please join us for a night of fun, fine food, and good friends! The evening will feature many door prizes, raffle items, and silent auction items. Come support your favorite rescue while enjoying a relaxing and fun night on the town!
November 1st, Gettysburg Trail Ride
A group of students and volunteers rode out to enjoy the sun and fall foliage with a tour of Gettysburg Battlefield. It was supposed to be a three hour tour. We got lost, we got stuck in deep mud, we were still an hour away from the trailers at sunset, we rode through Devils Den a day after Halloween under the light of a full moon. It was the best ride of my LIFE!!!
October 4th, 2009 SaddleView Horse Show
A great day was had by the whole show team! Riders competed in events ranging from Western Stock Work, English Trails, Show Jumping, Pleasure, and Equitation. Every rider placed in the ribbons, and we had quite a few First, Second, and Thirds. Most of all, we had a lot of fun and a few first time showers this time! Good job everyone!
2009 Rescue Ride!
This year's Rescue Ride has so far raised over $1400, and few straggling donations are still rolling in! Thank you so much for your support, and to our riders for their dedication. A fun day was had, and we finished our ride with a swim on the horses in Patapsco River.
Drill Team, Aug. 22nd, Montgomery County Fair
Gentle Giants attended the 2009 Montgomery County Fairs Rescue Expo Day. Our 6 horse Drill Team performed a lively routine throughout the day, taking the opportunity to educate the public on what a draft can really do, and how wonderful these rescued horses really are! Please watch and enjoy!
After their performances, the riders took the time to introduce each horse one by one and tell its personal success story of rescue. The crowd was given the chance to come up close and personal, and they got a chance to pet the big guys! The horses love the attention!
Monty Loses Battle with Cancer Aug. 2nd.
Our beloved friend Monty, became very quickly ill, and despite 72 hours of aggressive care, we were not able to save him. We declined an autopsy, but Dr. Brokaw believes he died of Lymphosarcoma. ClickHERE for the full story. You will be missed, good friend.
Howard County Fair Draft Horse Show, Aug. 9th
Gentle Giants was well represented at this years Howard County Draft Horse Show. We showed under saddle both English and Western, and also Pleasure Driving. Here Manhattan and Hanna win a fourth place for Adult English. Hanna doesn't even ride English and she still placed!
Waylon and Christine took a 5th place in Western Adult.
Hanna and Christine got into a light-hearted competition with the Pleasure Driving Class! Hanna was betting that she and Manhattan, the NYC carriage horse, would whoop us by a landslide. Christine believed she and Waylon, a lifetime Amish driving horse, would clean up the class with his flashy good looks and hard working attitude. See who wins!
