A Letter from Nina on the Lipizzan Fundraiser

The Lipizzan Stallions were a success beyond our wildest dreams! Bless Bob Collings, our fearless leader of the week. He allowed 3,500 visitors to invade his home as he sold tickets at the gate and just kept letting in more people each day!

And the wonderful people who came to the show! They were so considerate of the property. Even with such a crowd there was almost no trash left behind. Almost every single person passed through our booth, buying t-shirts and hats and donating to our drawing. We have gained several new volunteers, reconnected with many old friends, and now have a sponsor for Snowdrop for the rest of her life.

The outpouring of love was heartwarming. I think that people really want to be able to do something good. In this world, so full of fear, we are mostly helpless. In the wake of September 11 we have all witnessed not only a renewal of patriotism, but also people coming together to help each other. It is one thing to raise our voices in helpless rage and wave our fists at an enemy we cannot touch, and another to gently lay our hands upon a cause to help innocent beings that we can hold and love. I saw this during, what in my mind will forever be, The Week of the Lippizan Stallions! Everyone was there because they wanted to help our cause. They are all my heroes. They came and lent their support to Eye of the Storm's beloved horses and the children of the New England Center for Children. They helped because they could. There are so many things we can not do, but here was a chance for 3,500 individuals to make a difference. I thank you all.

The show itself was light-hearted yet showed what these beautiful horses with such obedient spirits are capable of giving to the human race. The Lipizzan, once a formidable war horse, is now adored for its beauty and grace. This was not a show like so many of us have seen before. It was not with the precision of other Lipizzan troupes, but it was fun! Some of the riders were, I believe, students, not unlike myself 30 years ago when I would ride anything, no matter how crazy it was. I didn't ride pretty, but boy did I learn to stay in the middle of a horse! But the girls of the Herrmann family had their own horses that they had obviously grown up on, they were lovely together.

And so, as that last day came to a close, we gathered memories to hold, of horses who came here to help horses. Some regal, the others battle-scarred and broken. All given to us as a gift to be our partners and friends in whatever task we choose for them. All obedient and forgiving. Few of our 12 residents of Eye of the Storm and 6 fostered horses will ever be ridden again. They are "paid in full." They don't owe us a thing. But with the help of all of you, I pledge to keep them safe, healthy, and loved until death do I part.

Thank you,
Nina

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