Valley Sierra News

The auction to aid the victims of the Southern California fires was a great success!

Originally, four Miniature and Shetland Pony ranches got together to figure a way to raise money to help the victims ofthe southern California fires of2003. The four were Capricorn Stud Farm (Virginia Flint), Deer Haven Ranch (Marjorie Vliet), Everafter Ranch (Pam Tepperman), and Rodabi-J Ranch (Barbara Naviaux). Then at the January board meeting of the Valley Sierra Miniature Horse Club, it was agreed to sponsor an auction. We decided who was to receive aid-first by obtaining a list of fire damaged areas, then getting a list of ASPC/AMHR members who resided in those areas. Then questionnaires were mailed asking if they had fire damage or not. No attempt was made to appraise the extent of damage. Money was eventually distributed evenly regardless ofthe extent of damage. Because the object was to send money, not spend money, the committee furnished such things as stamps, printing, etc. The only expense then was for the facility as all auction items were donated.

The sale was held at the Clements Buckaroos Clubhouse on Hwy 8 east ofClements on 8 February. We thank the Buckaroos Board of Directors for donating part ofthe usual fee for use oftheir excellent and very accessible facility. People who donated were from the Valley Sierra Miniature Horse Club, the Area VII Shetland Pony & Miniature Horse Association, and the general public, and 20 people donated sale items: Dixie Baker, Susan Cloud, Jim Curry Training Center, Stephanie Diers, Betty Fisher, Capricorn Stud Farm, Dan Foster, The Pony Place, LaDona Gooch, Diane Gray, Los Acres, G-Mar Wrap Shop, Olla Ranch, Everafter Ranch, Wes Wittman DMV, Rodabi-J Ranch, Creature Comfort, Windancer Ranch, Adele Pruitt, Deer Haven Ranch, Cheryl Scheftner.

Many ofthe people who donated also purchased. High bidder for over one-half the items was Pam Tepperman of Everafter Ranch, who bid in the two highest selling items. Highest priced item was the gorgeous carousel horse, an art piece made and donated by Dixie Baker, for $260. Second highest was an Australian saddle donated by Marianne Lapointe and Ann Olsen of Olla Ranch for $250.

Other buyers included Jim Curry, Virginia Flint, Barbara Naviaux, Carolyn Carroll, LaDona Gooch, Gary Draco, Cheryl Scheftner, Bob & Diane Marques, Molly Bichan, Connie Hawkins, Marjorie Vliet, Sandy Ellsworth, R. Burhop, Ron & Patsy Knox, Wayne Lehman and Willie Mackerracher.

As a last minute afterthought when we realized how much room we had and how many tables were available, we offered tables to ranches and activities for display. Marjorie Vliet and Everafter Ranch each brought ranch displays, the Miniature Drill Team had a display table with Jim Jeffery and Jan Perkins tending it, and Barbara Naviaux presided over an information table with all kinds of horse and pony literature displayed for the taking. Outside, Debbi Packard and The Pony Place set up information on the Glinkowsky competition vehicle and had two ofthem there to show people as well as a few of the other items that The Pony Place has available via their website.

And also outside, Jason Chisholm (Jay's), email: jaysq@yahoo.com, fiom Galt set up a huge barbecue wagon and sold wonderful tri-tip sandwiches, hot dogs, soft drinks and chips. We were very lucky to get him, again at the last minute and we will certainly have him again if the opportunity comes up.

I did not get a really good handle on the stallion services auction, but stud services of six or seven animals were "sold" - some Miniatures and some Shetlands. Pam Tepperman read the pedigrees on the animals she had in the sale and Virginia Flint felt very privileged to get Jim Curry to read her two stallions plus Patty Steele's. Jim has a way of lighting a fire about pedigrees. I think every stallion got at least one "wife" for this coming Spring.

Thanks also, to the cleanup crew who too numerous to remember. I do remember seeing Ed Hawkins, Ron Knox and Barrie and Kathy Freeman flying around with brooms and dusters with others helping-too - these people spiff up so fast we can't look fast enough.

And bless Ron and Patsy Knox for totaling up some of the amounts, and I don't know how I could have done that part without them.

There are not enough words or space to express how grateful we all are for the wonderfiul day, the camaraderie, and the success of the sale. None of it would have been possible without ALL of us. And very especially, we should all thank Buzz Mackerracher, the auctioneer, who not only donated his time but that of his son, Willie, one ofhis grandsons and a nephew, too. Those boys worked as hard as if they were getting paid and would not accept payment. Buzz is a great auctioneer who conducts his own sales including an "old Western and Silver Bit and Spur" sale yearly, plus he does several big horse sales at his own place, Day Money Acres, near Lockeford Antioch Fair Grounds and Fallen, Nevada.

Bottom line is that we collected $2124 net after expenses. The Valley Sierra Club Treasurer will be making distribution soon.