Ryerss Farm for Aged Equine hosted its 3rd annual Run for the Horses benefit for retired and rescued horses on April 25.
The 10k run, 5k run and 1 mile walk took 145 people through the scenic acreage of the farm on Route 23 in Warwick Township.
As told by horses Magic Touch and Omen at Ryerss Farm:
“Hi, my name is Magic Touch I am a recent star and resident here at Ryerss Farm. I am so excited to greet the humans with my friend Omen and the Board of Managers for the race.
Yes, I am a real blueblood, the last known living daughter of the 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand. Oh, it was just like the old days standing here on the lawn greeting the humans.
Like my father I raced for a time but because I was such a graceful beauty my owner had me become a Jumping Show Horse and Barrel Jumper. Later in life I came here to retire. This sure is a special day getting to see the humans run, just like us horses in the old days. Wow, what a crowd!”
Board President Sam Griffin said, “Having the horses watching the people run is the funniest thing I ever saw.”
Omen is the only miniature horse on the farm.
“I was just terrified when I came here,” said Omen. “I am just an old Carnival horse, a short little rolly poly guy that always got teased. It’s not nice to tease horses or humans for that matter about their looks. At the carnival up in New York it got so I was really having a hard time. Lucky for me some nice lady came along and offered to buy me. That nice lady brought me here to Ryerss who offered to take care of me for the rest of my days. Funny thing about these people they really care about all us horses on the farm. They have good docs, too. They found out I had a thyroid problem that caused me to gain all that weight.”
Omen has a sign on his stall, “I am on a diet, Please do not feed me.”
“I don’t mind. I lost a lot of weight since I’m here and lots and lots of people come to visit me especially the kids. I’m getting over my fear of humans.”
Volunteers prepared a lunch of hot dogs, chips, sodas and other snacks for visitors who were encouraged to visit with the horses.
Every participant received a shirt to wear in the race along with water and soft pretzels. As the racers came into the finish line the winners were awarded medals and trophies as the horses in their pastures ran along and watched the race.
“This is very exciting. The scenery is mind blowing. I’ve never seen anything like it,” said 10-year-old racer Daniel Jenkins Wong. “I belong to Hope Springs Equestrian Center and I love riding horses.”
His father Gary Jenkins of Phoenixville ran with him. He is the STRIDE Coach at Phoenixville Elementary, a running club for boys. They were all smiles.
“We heard about today’s race and decided to come visit and find out about the farm. It is very impressive. I never imagined anything like this,” said Matt Piatt from Mt. Penn who had brought his children Brett and Aimee to meet the horses.
Aimee gave a thumbs up and said, “I am an animal lover, it’s wonderful how they care for the aged and (rescued) horses. Laramie is my favorite so far.”
Margaret Shannon, a volunteer from Honey Brook, is involved deeply with the horses. She explained that the sound of the horses stomping their hooves and neighing means they are coaxing the visitors to get attention and talking to each other, “Come give me treats. I want apples and carrots.”
Susan Shilcock from Downingtown, a dog trainer, said, “Ryerss is the best kept secret. I love all animals. Lassie will snap her lips for treats. I asked her are you singing for treats?”
The night before the volunteers and the board had a carrot cutting party. The people’s favorite is to hang with the horses in the barn and pet and feed them.
Amber, the animal welfare manager, is in charge of the barn and oversee the horses and volunteers.
President Griffin says their vision for the future is to get the whole world to know about Ryerss. They are currently on a campaign to take the ‘show on the road’.
They now have an outreach to retirement communities. A DVD has been made to show residents at their own site. It is followed by a question and answer period led by Griffin and Gail Morris. Ryerss then extends an invitation to come visit.
For more information contact the Farm Office at 610-469-0533 or visit them on Facebook Ryerss Farm or www.Ryerssfarm.org.