This weekend, Kissed by an Angel Wines is teaming up with Horse Sense Education and Advocacy and Make-A-Wish Foundation to raise money to enrich the lives of horses and people.
A full 20% of the profits over the “Wine & Whinnies” weekender will go to support the organization, which has been organized with the assistance of people like Rachel Shupe, a 26-year-old who lives in Ben Lomond.
“My horse is Sunny Boy who is over there,” she said on a recent evening at a stable in Felton, noting the horse can get quite grumpy. “He’s like an Eeyore.”
Shupe is the treasurer of the organization, which stands to benefit significantly if the community comes out in support of the fundraising imitative.
Friday features Moonshine Crossroads, an Americana band from Sana Cruz, and L’Appetito Pizza (3-8pm). Redwood Groove Band and El Buen Taco Truck are on tap Saturday (2-7pm). Sunday features a guided “sip and paint” class at 2pm and a Bastille Day Faire (1-6pm).
Colorist Glenn Lyons has donated artwork for auction, Marcia Willimas will run an art workshop and Jen Reyes, who does “Artishly” horse figure drawing, will be live painting Friday and Saturday.
Michelle Boole, a 34-year-old who grew up in Felton and now lives in Ben Lomond, is hoping to see a good turnout as well. The key to a successful event is the planning, she says, adding it’s important to focus on delegating tasks well ahead of time.
She’s one of the teachers and does other volunteering for the nonprofit, too.
“I’ve been in Horse Sense for seven years,” she said. “I enjoy being outside with the horses.”
Boole says this while standing next to a majestic 35-year-old thoroughbred Arab horse named Sully.
“You give them a look and they give you exactly what you want and need,” she said.
Kristin Praly, the founder of Horse Sense Education and Advocacy, says the event, at 75 Mt Hermon Road, won’t just be in support of her nonprofit.
“They have their facility open to help give back to Make-A-Wish Foundation, so while we’re promoting horses within the community, we’re also giving,” she said. “So, it’s a beautiful exchange of energy.
“We combine a horse experience with upcycling art,” Praly said. “Really, horsemanship is art.”
Horses have a magical effect on people, she said, recalling how one person reacted when meeting a horse for the first time ever.
“They met Rusty,” Praly said. “Rusty extended his nose to this child’s hand and the child had silent tears coming down their eyes. That’s a moment I’ll always remember.”
Since the Press Banner first reported on the nonprofit officially receiving charitable status, they’ve continued to grow.
“Our program has definitely expanded,” Praly said. “We have connected in the past year with over 800 people who would not normally have been able to meet with a horse.”
She says her goal is to empower and enrich humans, while giving back to horses, as well.
“We give horses a voice,” she said.
Her organization works with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County doing a pumpkin decorating event where participants get to pick out an apple from the tree and feed it to a horse. They also provide holistic horsemanship lessons.
“It’s amazing to relate with them,” Praly said. “We teach from the horse’s point of view.”
