Back in the Saddle Again
This month’s featured volunteer has rekindled her passion for horses and brings a fresh, loving commitment to Red Bucket.
Jody found out about Red Bucket through a story in The Daily Pilot a couple of years ago. At the time she was a busy mom with two sons on the Newport Harbor High water polo team. The rescue story intrigued her. Having been around horses most of her life, she was getting that equine itch again.
Flash back to Jody’s 13th birthday when her Dad bought her a horse, a day that would change her life forever. She loved her horse more than anything in the world, and fueled her passion for horses for another 30 years until family demands took precedence.
Now 15 years later Jody is back in the saddle again at Red Bucket! Just like riding a bike, it is all coming back to her. “After touring the Ranch with my husband this past February, I knew instantly that this is where I was meant to be. My life has purpose again! Everybody at the Ranch is so nice, so kind, and so very wonderful,” Jody explains to me. “You always hear the saying ‘volunteering helps YOU’ and I must say it is true. I haven’t been this happy in years!”
Susan Peirce admits that Jody is a perfect example of what Red Bucket is all about. “Jody is always asking how she can serve the horses and other volunteers. She is always ready to roll up her sleeves and devote herself to the task at hand, and regularly returns to the Ranch after a full day of work to assist when things are busy. She spends many hours at the Ranch and has become a welcome sight to the horses and to the other members of our group. She exemplifies service, has a great attitude, and is always friendly, cheerful and professional.”
Jody diligently helps with grooming and turnouts three days a week, more often if she can sneak away. She also helps with hay bags and evening feeders, learning the Red Bucket way under the tutelage of Cathy Hessman, Barbara Todd and Lauren Harms. According to Lauren, “Jody is a sweet and very hard working woman. She puts in a solid three days a week and is guardian angel to Landon. All the horses love her soft and quiet nature. She’s always up to help wherever is needed and has a great
‘can do’ attitude. She is very inspiring and uplifting to all volunteers, and is an absolute joy to be around. I am proud to call her a Red Riding Hood.”
Cathy is also quick to sing Jody’s praises: “She is just awesome! Jody is a terrific team player and helps with everything. We work side by side, and she is always asking how she can help. It is very refreshing and wonderful to know you can count on that type of commitment, and her relationship with the horses is very special; just ask her about Landon!”
And so I did. Jody gushes about Landon! “He is just so gorgeous! Landon is a registered Virginia thoroughbred. He was injured so he gets lots of hand walks and we are working on his confidence. We just somehow connected and we took a liking to each other. Now he loves to be groomed so much that he sometimes ignores his hay in lieu of being stroked and touched and loved.”
Barbara noticed the special bond developing and comments on Jody’s unique qualities that make her a perfect match for Landon AND for Red Bucket. “Jody is great gal and works extremely hard. She is one of a handful of ladies aged 55-70 that really ‘gets the job done’.”
Patience is a virtue, and Jody recognizes this as a common theme at the Ranch. “The ‘horses first’ mantra is evident with every move that every volunteer makes. I see how much the horses benefit from the attention, patience and care bestowed upon them,” explains Jody. “No horse is better than the other, and the horses appreciate the loving attention. Red Bucket is such a well-run organization. There is no drama or politics, just a tunnel-vision passion to serve our horses. Every day at the Ranch is a gift to me, and I am privileged to be a part of such an inspirational group.”
We are privileged and honored to have Jody as part of our group! Thank you, Jody, for all you do to help save our horses.