Horse Tales
Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines
Holiday Edition
2013
1710 Ridge Road Pottstown, PA 19465 • Phone: (866)469-0507
www.ryerssfarm.org
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYERSS !
1888—2013
On October 19, 2013 the
Ryerss Farm 125th
Anniversary Party and
fundraiser was held at
The Radnor Hunt Club
in Malvern, PA. Over
150 people attended the
event, which featured
music by the Ward
Marston Band of New York and a delicious buffet dinner, in
addition to silent and live auctions. President Sam Griffin acted
as auctioneer and also spoke about the mission of Ryerss,
telling how various other organizations, such as the American
Anti-Vivisection Society and The Large Animal Protection
Society have been part of our ongoing history.
A very special part of the evening was the presentation of a
generous donation from representatives of the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Horse Show to Ryerss Farm, the beneficiary of the
Thoroughbred Show which was held on October 7-8, 2013 in
Fair Hill, MD. We are proud to be associated with this fine
organization, which promotes the retraining of thoroughbred
horses to new disciplines when their careers on the track are
over.
This special celebration of 125 years for Ryerss Farm was a
great success and all proceeds from the evening will go to the
care of the seventy-five retired and rescued horses that live on
the farm.
Please visit our web
site to read more
about ALL of the
Ryerss Horses, both
past and present:
www.ryerssfarm.org
***
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NEW ARRIVALS
Bailey is a striking palomino Quarter
Horse who was foaled in Montana. He
arrived at Ryerss on July 13th. Friendly
and very vocal, it is nice to hear his
enthusiastic whinny in the barn!
Bounder is a handsome and friendly
Thoroughbred gelding who retired to
Ryerss on April 10th. Before retiring, he
was an accomplished 3 Day Event horse
with his favorite phase being cross country.
Kira, a sorrel mare, was one of the first
foals involved in a premarin rescue up in
Canada. She retired to Ryerss on August
3rd along with Chance and Layla, her
longtime stable mates.
Chance, a bay Tennessee Walker gelding,
retired from the NY City Mounted Police
in 2002. He was on the police force for 12
years before coming to Pennsylvania. He
retired to Ryerss on August 3rd, with Layla
and Kira.
Layla is a registered paint mare who has
done everything from being a heel horse
for calf roping to trail riding under an
English saddle. She came to us with Kira
and Chance.
Niles is a bay Quarter Horse gelding from
S.H.O.W. who served for three years in the
Watchung Stables Troop Program. An intermediate level lesson horse, Niles was
always the first pick and sure to consistently place in the Pleasure Division.
Seven retired to Ryess on August 17th
from S.H.O.W. He came by the name of
Seven simply because he was the horse in
the #7 stall. He helped hundreds of riders
win blue ribbons at shows and even taught
them how to safely fall off!
RYERSS NEWEST RESCUES
OMEN’S GREAT ADVENTURE
On August 23rd, Molly Maxine,
age 20, came to live at Ryerss after
being rescued from the New
Holland Sale by LAPS. She is a
beautiful mare who is now healthy
and strong and currently enjoying
life at Ryerss, living in the main
barn.
To keep his ravenous
appetite under control,
Omen, our stout miniature
horse, is rarely turned out
without his muzzle firmly in
place. That makes it
necessary for him to go in
search of tall green grass
which is easier to eat.
One day, as the herd was
being brought in for the
afternoon feeding, it was noticed that Omen, who is
always impatiently waiting at the gate, was oddly
absent. Anxious volunteers scanned the fields with
binoculars and someone finally noticed Omen nearly a
half mile away in a distant, rarely used field at the back
of the farm. How on earth did he get there? If
somebody had left the gates open, they were firmly
locked now…it was a mystery.
Wild Fire, age 30, our newest resident, is a blanket appaloosa, who is
blind in one eye. Due to unfortunate circumstances, he lost his
home and was in desperate need of
a place to retire. Ryerss is happy
to give him a “forever home.”
A DAY AT THE FARM WITH BANDIT
Lisa and several volunteers began to shout as loud as
they could, “OMEN! SUPPERTIME!” and his little
head bobbed up out of the tall grass. As he headed for
home, the mystery
was solved: At
the first fence line
he lay down and
crawled under a
bottom rail
(designed for full
sized equines)
then at the next
wire fence, he
calmly stepped on the middle wire, popped through the
gap, crossed the stream and scampered for home!
Last year Betty Moran gave Ryerss Farm a beautiful new
tractor with the proviso that it be named “Bandit”, after
her beloved dog. Since then Tim, our Farm Manager and
“Bandit” can be
seen nearly every
day plowing fields,
seeding crops or
baling straw and
hay for the winter.
Each Fall, Tim and
“Bandit” plow the
fields to plant new
crops of grain but when they plow, the unintended result is
a field filled with freshly unearthed stones. The stones
will not stop the crop from growing, but they can damage
the equipment when it is time to harvest the grain. That is
where the volunteers come in. This year over twenty-five
young people from the Springton Manor Safety Patrol
Squad came for a “Rock Picking” day at Ryerss Farm.
Bucket load by bucket load they cleared nearly four acres,
carting the stones off the field. Reward came in the form
of a pizza party held in the picnic grove at the farm. The
young people also spent some time getting acquainted
with the horses. When you visit Ryerss Farm and see the
fresh straw bedding and the sweet hay in the stables, think
of those young volunteers who helped make it possible by
spending a day on the farm helping Tim and “Bandit.”
As Lisa, took off his muzzle, scratched his head
and hooked his stall guard, she smiled at the little
escapee and said “Tomorrow, Houdini, we tighten
up the fence lines…no more adventures for you!”
Springton
Manor
Safety
Patrol
Work Day
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Words from Ryerss President
Board of Managers
Dear Friends of Ryerss,
Samuel W. M. Griffin
President
Wow...what a year! Not many organizations can lay claim to 125 years of
continuous operation but I can tell you that Ryerss Farm for Aged Equines not only hit
that special mark but did it with joy and a renewed sense of purpose. Starting with
Tim’s Beef and Beer in March, we had a yearlong celebration which included our 5K
run in April, the giant Yard Sale in May, the 125th Anniversary Gala (the Mane Event)
at Radnor Hunt in October, the annual Blessing of the Animals in October and our
Holiday Open House in early December!
Peter Giangiulio, Esq.
Vice-President
Gail O. Morris
Secretary
Douglas R. Barr, Sr.
Treasurer
All that is not to say we don’t have our aches and pains, what century and a
quarter old institution doesn’t? Every time we hoped to get ahead and put some
money aside for a rainy day…it began to pour! Our latest shower came in the form of
unexpected repairs to our 1830’s Hay Barn. Those repairs ate up the money we had
just made at our 125th anniversary party. Oh well, it is ever thus.
Douglas R. Barr, Jr.
Shirley Fox
Nancy R. Schwab
Lynn Seeburger
I want to thank you for all your support and encouragement this year, it was
greatly appreciated. Remember, we cannot continue without you!
Frank Reilly, DVM
All the best for the coming year,
Advisory Board
Esther Gansky
Anne F. Hamilton
Samuel W. M. Griffin
President
Sue A. Leary
Ways You Can Help
Collin F. McNeil
Carl J. Meister, Jr.

Name a Paddock with a Bronze Marker
($5,000)

Sponsor a horse for a full year
($360)

Endow a Run-In Shelter with a Brass Plaque
($4,000)

Sponsor a horse for Six months
($180)

Endow a Stall in Ryerss’ Main Barn with a Brass
Plaque ($3,000)

Sponsor a horse once a month
($30)

Endow a stall in Ryerss’ Upper Barn with a Brass
Plaque ($2,000)

Become a friend of Ryerss
(with a donation of any amount)
Elizabeth R. Moran
Janice Murdock
Douglass Newbold
Gail B. Thayer
Anne F. Thorington
Winter Volunteer Help Needed!
Ryerss Farm needs a few hardy men and women to help out in the barn during the
mornings: bedding stalls, cleaning water buckets, and getting the barn ready for
the horses to come in later in the day. If you can give just one morning a week, we
start at 8am and you can stay as long as you want. It is a great workout and more
rewarding than going to the local gym! You will be making a real difference by
helping care for our wonderful horses! To join the morning barn crew, contact:
Lisa Shotzberger: (610)469-0533 ext. 12 or email: [email protected].
Mark your Calendars
for 2014
RYERSS’ SANTA WISH LIST!
Dear Santa,
We have been good this year and
well behaved so here is our
Christmas Wish List:
1. Driveway Resurfacing and Repair
2. 50 Stall Mats
3. Haywagon
Beef and Beer: March 15, 2014
4. New Barn Loft floor
Ryerss 5K Run: April 26, 2014
If you can help with these or any part of
these please let us know.
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Thank You to Our Faithful Sponsors
Alado, 18
Lucy Kline
Henry & Frances Pollak
John & Linda Yurkutat
Amber, 30
Linda Schatzle
Sharon H. Cooper
April, 32
Mr. & Mrs. Dave Sparks
Mr. & Mrs. Edward W.
Bauman, Jr.
Aramis, 19
Anne B. Michael
Bailey, 20
Stan Martens & Daniele M.
Corsi
Blythe Marchetti
Jack & Kelly Clark
Boca, 32
Rosemary Roy
Marissa Markovich
Joyce Colin
Bounder, 19
Jeffrey & Louise Bodack
David & Barbara Coyle
Margot W. Crawford
Sharon Wilson
Donald & Gwena Davidson
Community Foundation of
Sarasota County, Inc.
Jeremiah & Diane McKenna
Buddy, 35
Gordon McKinzie
Anonymous
Budrow, 24
Sharon McLeod
Butkus, 32
Linda Crisafulli
John & Jean Sheppard
Suzanne Trotter
John & Alida Becker &
Hope Shale
Bonalyn A. Mosteller
Cappy, 23
Christine A. McConemy
Suzanne Payne
Caputo, 30
Anonymous
Michael Sakal & Ruth
McGill
Casey, 21
Henry Halubrich
Jeremiah & Diane
McKenna
C’Est What, 27
Frank Ranhofer &
Grandchildren
Pamela H. Haskin
Bernadette A. Berezowski
Chance, 32
Judith Atkins
Joe & Peggy Gartland
Chevon, 29
Sharon McLeod
Carolyn S. Holland
Daisy, 35
Norman & Jayne White
DD, 28
Janice M. McDonnell
Jen Starkey
Conestoga’s Animal Abuse
Awareness Club
Elmo, 27
Alfred & Corinna Lewis
Good Sport, 30
Frank & Melinda Mercurio
Harold & Gloria Pinsker
James & Sandy Walton
Grace, 28
Tara Hamblen
Hannah, 20
Rita Siegman
Kathryn K. Burchinal
Michelle Cocco
Donald & Hannah Griffiths
Henry, 24
C. Jean Civis
Joan Fasoldt
Heyer, 31
O’Mally Robison
Hurry, 33
Kathryn Carbone
Ike, 27
Edward A. MacLachlin
Jack, 33
Meghan Cartafalsa
Edythe Sweeney
Jessica, 28
Chris & Chantal Dubeck
Gail Patton
Jumpin’ Jack, 29
Norman & Jayne White
Lucille & Albert Kaplan
Eileen Kelly
Kira, 17
Jennifer Courtney
Lassie, 17
Mark, Jeannie & Danielle
Astheimer
John & Carol O’Neill
Robert Fry
Lenore Madden & Family
Sharon McLeod
Stan Martens & Daniele
Corsi
Layla, 23
Kim Baradgie
Louis & Elaine Troisi
Joelle Temoyan
Liam, 26
Rosemary Roy
Anonymous
MacGregor, 30
Virginia Murphy
Kelli Lambert
Victoria Gillespie
Lenore Madden & Family
Anonymous
Maggie, 28
Susan Brown
Magic, 28
Pamela Basile
Magic Touch (Ruby), 18
Ivan & Gail Morris
Mr. & Mrs. Paul P. Rosen
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Galpern
Ella Leister
Malibu, 23
Phyllis MacConnell
Elizabeth Silver-Schack
Mandy, 21
Joanne D. Woodward
Abigail Stowe
Mark, 22
Nan Lynne Ward
Lesley A. Brechbiel
Jewish Federation of
Greater Philadelphia
Arthur & Megan Greitzer
Maxie, 24
Rosemary Roy
May Day, 32
Susan Atkins
May Evening, 32
Louse Morin
Molly “Maxine”, 20
Albert J. Corrao
Niles, 18
Watchung Junior Hunt Club
Omen, 13
Sheila Fiorini
Laura A. Burgess
Barbara, Polly, Oliver,
Dexter & Vern Wright
Carol Decker White
Anna & Sam Matthews
Loretta Landi
Tom & Michele Lenich
Leigh Himmelberger
Ralph, 31
Bonnie Allen Long
Joseph, Irma & Elizabeth Bukis
Emily Cartafalsa
Rambo, 34
James & Bonnie Brasted
Rascal, 28
Damon R. Phillips
Rio, 26
Linda Schatzle
Rosie, 25
Marissa Markovich
Lenore Madden & Family
Mr. & Mrs. Jim
McCormack
Carol Valenti
Cynthia J. Kearney
Bea Erb
Robert & Margaret Shannon
360 Excavation & Demolition
Salt, 27
The Haarstick Family
Giovanna DeJohn & Gina
Legere
Sarah, 34
Brennon Equine Welfare Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Walter King, Jr.
Joseph, Irma & Elizabeth Bukis
Seham, 26
Donald & Hannah Griffiths
Kathryn L. McCurdy
Blythe Marchetti
Shelby, 27
Anonymous
Seven, 23
Watchung Junior Hunt Club
Katharine Z. Okie
Sidney, 34
Beth Ashman
Millie C. Cassidy
John & Laura Daus
Sonny, 29
Millic C. Cassidy
Speedy, 27
Joan Divito
Stanley, 29
Joseph, Irma & Elizabeth Bukis
Sue Leary & Rob Cardillo
Brett Sampson
Amy, Cathy & Pat Diamond
Chip Green & Jill McClure
Joe & Bernadette Kenny
Dan & Michelle Sampson
Earl & June Sampson
Jan & Andy Steever
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Trotter, Jr.
Wanda, Hurbert & Michelle
Green
Star, 30
Nicole Molinaro
Neil Albert
E. Alenander & Betty Adams
Yankee Star, 28
Anonymous
Sweetpea, 22
Anonymous
Beverly Ott
Janet Rizzo
Abner & Lucia Still
Kelvin & Ella Marie Kean
Kurt & Suzanne Schneidmiller
Tess, 29
Kenneth & Delores
Cavanaugh
Tanya Prescott
Chris & Chantal Dubeck
Texan, 25
Patricia E. Coonahan
Ashwood Homes, Inc.
Meg Douglas Hamilton
Toby, 27
Millie C. Cassidy
Toby Sargent, 23
Geoffrey & Caroline
Helt
Wild Fire, 30
Laura L. Henry
Willy, 26
Ivan & Gail Morris
Winston, 23
Jacob Mehler
Wolverine, 30
Rosemary Roy
Anonymous
General
Sponsorships:
Rita Wanner
Robert & Lorraine
Foulke
Pam Covin-Fogel
Horses without
A Sponsor
Beemer, 27
Dandy, 26
STANLEY’S SURPRISE!
The largest horse at Ryerss Farm is Stanley, a sorrel Belgian, who stands 18.1 hands and
weighs about 1800 lbs. Born in 1984, Stanley worked for a pharmaceutical company,
aiding in creating snakebite anti-venom before retiring to Ryerss in October 2004. It has
been nearly 10 years since Stanley left his old life and joined the Ryerss herd so it was a
surprise to everyone a few weeks ago when Stanley had an unexpected visitor! It was
late in the afternoon and most visitors were gone when a lady walked in and asked us if
we had any draft horses. Yes, we answered, did she have an interest in drafts? She told
us that she used to work with several drafts and thought they had come to Ryerss when
the company she worked for closed down. She talked about a big blonde Belgian and of
course we thought of Stanley! He was out in the field that day but Lisa, our Animal
Welfare Manager, took the visitor out in the 4-wheeler to find Stanley. It turned out to be
a wonderful reunion as Stanley (who is shy with many) came right up to her and seemed
to remember her immediately! Kathy had been one of the equine caretakers at the
pharmaceutical company and Stanley had been in her care many years ago. How
heartwarming it was to see Stanley nuzzle his old friend! Kathy was thrilled to see him THE EARTH SHAKES WHEN
STANLEY GALLOPS BY!
and promised to visit again soon. That day we all left the stable with a warm glow of
satisfaction, knowing Stanley’s long lost buddy had found him again.
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