Horse training competition set in Central Oregon

Bend’s Equine Outreach has dozens of rescued horses. And while safe, it’s hardly a place to call home.

“There are too many horses in the United States without homes,” the facility’s Gayle Park said Friday. “And any time we can get one into a home, it’s a big plus.”

Park, Gayle Hunt and Cyndi Davis started the Rescue Revolution Trainer Challenge, involving Equine Outreach and the Central Oregon Wild Horse Coalition.

It’s a competition that recently began between local trainers to provide the best care to rescue horses over the next six months. And in May, the horses will be auctioned off to homes.

“The caliber of trainers that we have are going to make for some excellent excellent adoption prospects in May,” Hunt said.

Sisters trainer Alison Weston picked up two horses a couple weeks ago for training. She introduced us to Buddy, a thoroughbred found in Powell Butte.

“Within the first session, he would rather be close to me than anyone else,”Weston said.

And it’s stories like Weston’s that make the project worthwhile for both Gayle Hunt and Park.

“I don’t know when I’ve seen a horse want to be with somebody as badly as Buddy wanted to be with her,” Hunt said. “And to see that so quickly melt away into the love that he had for that woman was incredible to see.”

The competition is looking for both donations and trainers. More information is available at rescuerevolution.info.