Hip Hopping through Maryland and Virginia
When my friend Debbie Wilson asked me to come to Maryland to speak at a fundraiser for TCF and a celebration for the launch of her first book, Hip Hop Tails-A Bit of Sugar (www.hiphoptails.com/shop), I jumped at the chance.
Debbie at her Barnes and Noble Book Signing
3 year-old Maelstrom and his 2 year-old Aunt Encore having a lively "conversation" near our camp. Photo courtesy Kristen Collett July, 2015
It would allow me to talk about our efforts to keep mustangs and burros on their home ranges living in precious freedom. And (and this is a big and) it would allow me to visit Cloud’s grandson, Maelstrom.
Brian Baker graciously donated his fabulous Stone Ridge Hollow facility for the event and the turnout was terrific—over 150 people attended, including lots of kids who enjoyed meeting both the real Hip Hop and Maelstrom. (lft Hip Hop, rt, Maelstrom/Laura)
Ann Evans joined the party and helped tally up the sales of Hip Hop books and Cloud calendars. Our little table was Hip Hopping! All proceeds from the sales of this darling little sticker will go to TCF. Thank you GumiPony! (www.hiphoptails.com/shop)
The next day we visited Maelstrom at his new home in rural Maryland. Maelstrom was removed from the Pryor Mountains last year. His journey to Maryland was made possible through the efforts of TCF Board Member and our good friend, Lisa Friday.
To the right, in the second photo, see Maelstrom with Debbie’s nearly 15 year-old daughter, Laura. The elegant 4 year-old son of Firestorm and Jackson was exuberant when Laura let him out to meet his new pasture mates, two equally exuberant mustang mares.
Absarokee, Cloud's grandson welcomes us to Virginia
After our visit with Maelstrom, Ann and I were off to Lisa’s farm in rural Virginia. What a beautiful place and how wonderful her horses look. Lisa and I first met at the 2009 Pryor Adoption. She was the successful bidder on Cloud’s daughter, Rain.
Below Lisa pulls those pesky burrs from Rain's forelock.
In 2012, Lisa's adopted three more Pryor Mustangs, Cloud’s grandson Absarokee, granddaughter Kicks-A lot, and Flint and Feldspar’s daughter, River. Lisa was able to acquire another Cloud granddaughter, Maelstrom’s full sister, Lady Jane this year. They all live with Lisa’s sweet Kiger mustang, Dancer, and two giant Tennessee Walking horses, Walker and Biscuit.
Enjoy our pictures of her stunning horses.
The newest addition to the family is a very lively, Golden Retriever puppy, Utah Onaqui,named for the Onaqui mustang herd near Salt Lake City. Lisa’s husband James has new beagle puppies at the barn and it was great fun watching Utah racing around trying to catch them.
What a joyous trip. Thank you Debbie and Lisa (and everyone we met at Debbie’s HipHopTails party) for making this so much fun, and for giving us the opportunity to educate more and more people about the urgent need to keep our mustangs and burros roaming in freedom on the range!
Happy Trails!
Ginger
P.S. Please do what you can to help us fight on for mustang and burro freedom in the critical months ahead! Your tax deductible donations are appreciated!