SAFE held its first Benefit Horse Show on July 28, 2007 at the Mt. Hood Equestrian Center in Boring, Oregon. Classes included English and Western Pleasure, Gaming, Trails, and Bareback equitation. as well as fun classes such as Costume classes, Leadline classes for kids 8 and under, a “Sit-A-Buck” challenge, and “Bribe Your Horse.” The tradition of an annual SAFE Benefit Horse Show would continue for the next twelve years.

Though the words “lifetime of safety” would not be added to SAFE’s mission until a few years later, we made a commitment from the start that we would maintain a safety net for each of our horses after adoption. JR was placed into a home by another rescue before SAFE was started, so we had no contract with his owner. But it was discovered during a site visit that this older gelding was in very poor condition. Thankfully, Jaime was able to convince his adopter to let us take him back. It took several months to return JR to his proper weight, but he made a good recovery, and we were able to find him a new home later that year. He remained in that loving home for the rest of his life.

Desert Spark, or Desi, was rescued from a feedlot in Colorado. He weighed 875 pounds, and was covered with bite marks and scratches from other horses. With the help of Shiloh Acres and Colorado TB Rescue, SAFE was able to purchase Desi from the feedlot, and place him in a foster home in Larkspur, CO. Desi fought his way back not only from starvation but from strangles, cellulitis, abcesses, and insomnia. His story is best told with photos, for his amazing transformation must be seen to be believed… <Click here to read on>