Back in September, I received an alarming news tip. The story was about horses shot while grazing in their pastures at night.

We tried to find the police report; nothing. We called the Moore County Sheriff’s office; nothing. Animal control; nothing. We can’t print hearsay, no matter how reliable the “tip.” As much as I wanted to expose perceived danger to livestock, and lambaste irresponsible hunters, I needed confirmation.

Well, low and behold, a crime-stopper alert finally came through The Pilot fax on Oct. 26, two months after the shootings. Someone came up with a private reward for information leading to an arrest.

A cow was shot in West End. Ronnie Poindexter of Eagle Springs lost a 7-year old Quarter Horse gelding, shot by an unknown assailant. Less than a week later, Trish Smith of Lake Bay Road reported her horse was shot. Detective Williams of the Southern Pines police department thinks these are random, unrelated acts. No arrests have been made.

“He was my pride and joy,” Poindexter said. “He was a barrel horse, but I could put my friend’s 3-year-old twins on him, and turn them loose. That’s what kind of a horse he was.”

Crime reports are supposed to be public record. Why did it take two months and a monetary reward for this information to come to light?

If crazies are out taking target practice on livestock, we need to know. We’ll move our animals to the backfield, close the front gate, turn on the lights, and let out the dogs.

Was the information suppressed because of a copycat threat? Were the initial reports just lost, or forgotten? The public has a right to know. Our horses are more than just personal property.

A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible for these crimes. Information is confidential, call Sandhills Crimestoppers 295-8878.

West Nile Virus in N.C.

Agriculture commissioner Jim Graham and the N.C. Department of Agriculture caution equine owners to be on the alert for signs of West Nile Virus, and contact their veterinarian immediately if symptoms occur.

A dead crow found at Jordan Lake tested positive for the virus, North Carolina’s first confirmed case.

The disease is a mosquito-born encephalitis. People, equine, and birds can be infected from the mosquito carrying the disease, but there is no evidence to support transmission from horses to horses, or horses to people. Mosquitoes get the virus from biting an infected bird. They cannot contract the virus from biting infected horses or humans.

Symptoms include loss of appetite, depression, fever, weakness, paralysis of hind limbs, convulsions, inability to swallow, circling, impaired vision, hyperexciteability, or coma.

Dead birds should be reported to the public health pest management section (the telephone number is 877-790-1747).

“We knew the virus could be spread by migratory birds,” Graham said. “That’s why we have been monitoring the situation closely. … We are just fortunate that the first evidence of West Nile Virus was found at the end of mosquito season.”

Dream Farm is Still a Dream

The scenario is like a movie script. Injured, burned out, or unwanted racehorses can be retired in a Southern climate, cared for by at-risk youth under adult supervision.

The horses get a good home; the youth learn a marketable trade. Sound too good to be true? It almost is.

Paul Rollizo is trying to make his Dream Farm a reality, at a Rockfish Road facility between Raeford and Fayetteville.

“We’re not operational yet,” Rollizo said, “but this is my dream, and I’m going to see it through.”

Throughout his military career, Rollizo has worked with at-risk youth, Special Olympics, and handicapped riding programs. He found and leased the Rockfish Road barn and pasture one year ago. He is still working on the non-profit paperwork, and has contacted rescue leagues for horses.

“It’s a lot of paperwork,” Rollizo said, “and they have to send representatives out to inspect the facility.”

Dream Farm currently has one 20-year old Thoroughbred mare, and one youth volunteer.

His youth program is called TOSS, or Take One Small Step.

“TOSS will use the equines to provide a work experience for at-risk youth,” Rollizo explained in a press release. “Each youth will be responsible for the care and upkeep of the horse assigned to them. They will spend a great deal of time outdoors in caring, handling, retraining, and keeping their stall in sanitary condition.

“With close supervision and leadership, this will teach our youth responsibility, good work ethics, and most of all that change is possible if you want it. For most, this will be the first time they have ever had to be responsible for anything.”

The project’s non-profit status has not yet been completed, but horse donations are needed. For information, call Rollizo at 432-7637 or 429-0919.

Economy Farm Show

“It was a perfect day!” beamed Economy Farm show manager Gary Lergner. “It rained the night before, the weather was great, and we had 62 horses. We made a lot of money for the Children’s Center, and it was like the old days. People parked around the ring, and everyone chipped in to help.”

The mother-daughter team of Parker Minchin and Jennifer Barker shared championship honors in the green division with Pine Meadow’s Merlin and Mandrake, respectively. Betty Poiser was also in the top ribbons, and took senior honors with the “Masters” trophy. At 76, Poiser is still gunning for the big jumps!

Jeanne Hobbs, 14, rode Nancy Rogers’ field hunter Donato to the fox hunter championship. Arlene Bearak on Charlie, and Kathy Bennett and Three Steps Mister tied for reserve.

Local pros Patty Heuckeroth and Don Sheehan battled it out in the low division. Heuckeroth’s Topsy edged out Say Please for the championship.

Sandra Brown dominated the junior/amateur classes, winning both over fences classes with Tide Water Trader. Parker Minchin’s Merlin won his second tri-color with the reserve.

RESULTS

FOX HUNTER A: 1. Charlie, Arlene Bearak, 2. Three Steps Mister, Kathy Bennett, 3. Precious, Joan Thiele, CLASS B: 1. Donato (Nancy Rogers) Jeanne Hobbs, 2. Three Steps, 3. Joe Cool, Kate Gaines, 4. Princess, Don Bryant. HACK: 1. Donato, 2. Charlie, 3. Fire Beau, Betsy Rainoff, 4. Three Steps.

BABY GREEN A: 1. Topsy, Patty Heukeroth, 2. Say Please, Don Sheehan, 3. Keeper of the Stars, Don Sheehan, 4. Margot, Maryann Charles. B: 1. Topsy, 2. Rich and Famous, Mike Rosser, 3. Say Please, 4. Great Scott, D. Sheehan. HACK: 1. Say Please, 2. Motown, Ann Compton, 3. Ever Optimistic, Cara Van Dorn, 4. Credit Line, Brian Lenehan.

LOW A: 1. Dazee, Mike Plumb, 2. Keeper of Stars, 3. Red, P. Heuckeroth, 4. Safe Keeping, P. Heuckeroth. B: 1. Keeper of Stars, 2. Safe Keeping, 3. Dazee, 4. Red. HACK: 1. Red, 2. Keeper of Stars, 3. Safe Keeping.

JR/AM A: 1. Tide Water Trader, Sandra Brown, 2. Merlin, Parker Minchin, 3. Just Myimagination, Nina Carter, 4. Lenox, Sandra Brown, CLASS B: 1. Tide Water Trader, 2. Hill Turn, Ann Compton, 3. Donato, 4. Three Steps Mister. HACK: 1. Mandrake, Jennifer Barker, 2. Merlin, 3. Just Myimagination, 4. Hill Turn.

GREEN A: 1. Merlin, 2. Mandrake, 3. Romilly, Danielle Downing, 4. Plymouth, Betty Poiser, B: 1. Merlin, 2. Romilly, 3. Plymouth, HACK:1. Merlin, 2. Mandrake, 3. Plymouth.

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