We’re so grateful that more than 200 people from 20 states, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada, joined us on May 9 to celebrate Spirit’s 31st birthday and the opening day of our programs season.
The special Spirit of the Horse event at our Lompoc, Calif., flagship location raised much-needed funds to help feed and care for the more than 450 rescued wild horses and burros in our sanctuary’s care.
Spirit, a Kiger mustang stallion, was the muse and model for DreamWorks Animation’s beloved Oscar-nominated film “Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron.”
At one point, visitors gathered in a grassy turnout for a special healing ceremony for Spirit, the horses, the land, and all those in attendance, led by Diné/Navajo healers Jones and Clayson Bennally, which ended with a beautiful friendship circle.
Spirit greeted visitors in the circle, among them mesmerized little girls. Their reactions were an inspiring reminder to live life with a sense of wonder.
Among the event’s other highlights:
- a Chumash blessing by Pete Crowheart followed by traditional song and dance with Jones and Clayson Benally,
- music from Spanish classical guitarist Josiah Frias and singer-songwriter Haisley,
- a chance for movie fans to meet artist Peter Paul, who was a member of the “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” animation team,
- eclectic locavore food catered by Full of Life Flatbread and wine pourings from premier local vineyards Flying Goat Cellars, Beckmen Vineyards, and Babcock Winery and Vineyards,
- a variety of vendor booths, including gorgeous pottery, jewelry, and clothing.
Along with the effort of our hard-working volunteers and staff, we’re thankful for the event’s many wonderful vendors and sponsors for supporting wild horses and burros:
America’s Tire, Babcock Winery and Vineyards, Beckmen Vineyards, Charlotte’s Jewelry of Santa Ynez, Chris West Originals, Discount Tire, Draughtsmen Aleworks, Exoceuticals, Full of Life Foods, Flying Goat Cellars, Jenni Kayne, Jones-Benally Family Jewelry, Inspirato Luxury Travel Club, Katherine Natural Cosmetics, Kavalia Jewellery, K.J. Murphys Custom Cowboy Hatter, My Style on the Go, Nexus Direct, Norah McNeely Hurley Foundation, Pacifica Beauty, Puremedy, The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern – Auberge Collection, The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, Tribe Equine Health Solutions, Whiskey in the Wild, Youth Spring Arts.
