Painted ponies give leg up to those helping flood victims

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A herd of painted ponies is leaving hoofprints on the hearts of communities devastated by last year’s floods that ravaged towns and farms, leaving many homeless across southern Alberta. The Spruce Meadows horse complex near Calgary gave 20 non-profit organizations each a fibreglass horse to decorate. They are on display at the facility throughout the summer. Groups include the Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society of Calgary, Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Diamond Valley and District and Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta Foothills Chapter. “It was really fun to see the horses take life. I hope this brings luck and energy into these organizations,” said Spruce Meadow CEO Linda Southern-Heathcott. “Each one is unique. This is a way to bring all the (flood-affected) communities together.”

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From striped stockings and angel wings to ribcage landscapes of flooded farmland, the equines were painted with spirit and a vibrant pallette.

Each of the 20 organizations, selected from 58 applicants, receives $1,000. The public is also invited to bid on each horse, with proceeds going to the organizations. Bids can be made through to September by going to www.sprucemeadows.com.

: This painted pony, representing the CanLearn Society for Persons with Learning Difficulties, overlooks the arena at Spruce Meadows which organized the fundraiser for non-profit organizations.

: The cheek on this horse has been painted with a building destroyed by the floods that damaged much of southern Alberta.

: Various animals decorate the side of this horse painted by the Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation which took in many animals displaced by the floods.

: The slogan Hell or High Water appears on the rump of one of the painted fibreglass horses.

: This horse, representing Special Olympics Calgary, tied for third place in the contest for most innovative.

: Members of the public are invited to bid on each of the decorated fibreglass horses. Proceeds will go to the non-profit organization represented by each painted horse.

: The mane of this horse flows as water through the streets of downtown Calgary, depicting the floods of last summer that destroyed homes and businesses.

: Helping hands adorn the rump of this horse, symbolic of all the help given to those who suffered loss during the floods.

: This painting appeared on a horse representing the Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society of Calgary. The organization won $10,000, as the winged Pegasus horse was deemed to represent volunteerism at its best.

Also, cash prizes were awarded to those judged to be the most innovative equines. A first-place cheque for $10,000 went to the SHARP Foundation (which provides care both medically and spiritually for people living with HIV or AIDS). Literacy for Life Foundation received $7,000 for second place and Special Olympics Calgary and the Bowness Community Association tied for third, each winning $3,000. A special Pegasus volunteerism award of $10,000 went to the Opening Gaits Therapeutic Riding Society.

“So many organizations are suffering from donor and volunteer fatigue,” said Southern-Heathcott. “We chose those that were struggling and needed a leg up.”