Pencil pusher by day, groomer extraordinaire by night, this multi-talented volunteer isn’t afraid to get her boots dirty!
What do you get when you cross an accountant with an equestrian? Kyle Blotzer! Kyle is an integral part of the Red Bucket Equine Rescue finance team, assisting Michelle Walker in keeping our books in order. According to Susan Peirce, Kyle is more than just a numbers girl: “Kyle is SUPER smart and such a wonderful woman! She is completely selfless, as is our culture, and she is totally immersed in our mission. She is always asking ‘how can I serve, what gifts can I offer’, and although her role involves checks and balances she also throws herself into the drudge work. In addition to pushing a pencil and crunching numbers she joins the boots on the ground with mucking and grooming. She LOVES Sampson! Kyle is currently taking riding lessons so she can get more involved and hands on with the horses. She is a finance and tech whiz, we are so grateful to have her as part of our team! A couple of years ago her husband got involved with Red Bucket by donating banners and artwork (he is a graphic designer), both Kyle AND her husband are extremely generous.”
So what attracted this bright, driven, hard-working gal to Red Bucket? The same thing that attracts ALL of our bright, driven, and hard-working volunteers-our mission! “I discovered Red Bucket through Facebook,” Kyle recalls. “I was drawn to the incredible posts detailing the story of each new rescue. After that, I decided to attend a New Volunteer Orientation. I greatly admire the mission of Red Bucket (and who wouldn’t fall in love with the beautiful Ranch?) and chose to volunteer on a regular basis.”
Starting in the trenches, Kyle went from mucking stalls to grooming and more. Jenon Mathes distinctly remembers exactly when Kyle joined Red Bucket: “It was November of 2013. Kyle had natural ability and cautious confidence, and I knew immediately she could do the job. She was and still is meticulous in the care she gives our residents. Her confidence continues to increase as do her responsibilities. She handles difficult situations elegantly, and she has the unique ability to multi-task, organize and produce results fueled by a “can do/will do” attitude which is cherished in Red Bucket Team Members. With all of her responsibilities, she still manages to groom at least 8-10 horses every Saturday!”
Kyle learned the basics through the Curry Comb Club, and then started working on the grooming team with wonderful Saturday volunteers like Jenon, Michelle Mendez, Judy, Jill, and Janet. “Jenon and Michelle are so generous in sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience in horse behavior,” Kyle explains. “They are as patient as they are kind and I truly admire their calm disposition and willingness to pass on a piece of themselves to each volunteer they work with. Judy, Jill, and Janet have become true
friends and I look forward to catching up with each of them as we groom and turnout the horses. Throughout my tenure on the grooming team, I have enjoyed getting to know the personalities of the groomers as well as the horses, and I am fortunate to have made many friends with both. Roxy and I have come to a mutual understanding that she will patiently allow me to spoil her and I will not brush her in places she does not particularly enjoy. Leoni and I have become accustomed to long, soothing conversations interspersed with many carrots. I savor each moment grooming Sampson, ever so grateful that he makes an appearance on my groom list every week.”
From grooming to finance, Kyle has blossomed into an indispensable team member. “This year I joined Michelle Walker on our financial team to assist with anything she needs help with,” Kyle shares. “Michelle is great at showing new recruits the ropes and is such a joy to work with. She is professional yet brings a youthful and fun energy to my Saturday afternoons.”
Michelle also has the highest regard for Kyle. “I first met Kyle while grooming/working on the Ranch on Saturdays. She is truly a delight, has wonderful character and she adores our horses – with a special love for Sampson and Leoni!”
“Kyle graciously responded to my request for administrative support and she has been truly invaluable. Kyle arrives early on Saturday mornings not only to spend a full day grooming and supporting the Saturday team, but to process our weekly deposit and with meticulous care ensure that all of our generous donors are appropriately updated and reflected in our database. Her administrative role is pivotal to our organization. I am so grateful to Kyle for her attention to detail and commitment to our precious work! It truly takes a village and Kyle is an incredible representation of our Red Bucket culture.”
Kyle and her two sisters grew up with their own horses, and spent summers during their youth riding bareback. “I learned about the many responsibilities of caring for a horse when I was young,” Kyle points out. “However it wasn’t until I began volunteering at Red Bucket that I realized not everyone appreciates the value of each life, including those of our equine friends. I cannot imagine my life without Red Bucket Equine Rescue. I have learned so many valuable lessons – from horse handling to grooming tips to turnouts to first aid. I think the single most important thing I’ve learned, compliments of Jenon, is just to be calm. Because of this, Red Bucket has become my ‘Zen’ each week. As a typically highly stressed person working many roles in my professional life, I do not often have an opportunity, or the ability, to relax. Jenon continues to teach that having an inner calm directly translates to our horses. While I am still a work in progress, I have begun to carry this over to other aspects of my life.”
“Red Bucket’s mission is evident once you enter the Ranch,” Kyle continues. “The volunteers are friendly, the horses (and donkeys) are our priority, and the Ranch is truly
a place where we are restoring trust in humankind. When I first began grooming Leoni, she would stand still as a statue, as if out of fear, clearly distrusting me. As we have come to know each other, and with some guidance from Jenon, I began to understand that Leoni needs more than just grooming from me, as do many of our horses. She needs attention, doting, true companionship, love, and many, MANY carrots. As she begins to develop trust with me, I can also share what I have learned from Leoni (and Jenon) with the next horse, and the next one, and the next one. Horses understand the difference between grooming with a purpose versus grooming for a purpose. My purpose is to make sure that each horse receives personal attention during their groom, taking the time to get to know their grooming preferences and personality as we go.”
With such intent and purpose, Kyle continues to make a difference in each horse’s life she touches. From the balance sheets to the stalls, Kyle does it all with passion and commitment. Thank you, Kyle, for all you do to help save our horses!