Christy Clarke is passionate about horses, and she's trying to turn a 130 acre plot of land she purchased in New Brunswick into a shelter for abused, neglected and unwanted horses. She recently posted on the wall of the Heartland Facebook page about her efforts, which intrigued us enough to contact her, where we learned that although she had always had the dream of operating a horse shelter, it was watching Heartland that inspired her to pursue her dream. So she's my guest blogger today; I know you'll find her story interesting. Take it away Christy! Click through to the blog post to read it!
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Hi everyone! My name is Christy and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to share with you my story about how Heartland inspired me to start a non-profit horse rescue of my own! It's been an exciting story for me to live, and I hope you find it just as exciting to read about!
For starters, I'll tell you a little bit about myself: Like many Heartland fans, I have been in love with horses for as long as I can remember. I think the obsession started before I was even born because my whole family loves animals. Growing up, I took riding lessons on and off as my mom could afford them, and when I was old enough I started mucking stalls and filling water buckets in exchange for lessons, and just to get the chance to be around horses more often. I was one of those little girls who had horse-everything plastered on my bedroom walls, and even pretended I WAS a horse when I couldn't be around them, cantering around my yard and jumping over obstacles I'd imagine were grand prix jumps... some of you can probably relate.
One summer I met a yearling named KC while working at a kids camp. (Note - that is KC and Christy in the above photo). He had been so neglected and abused by previous owners he was terrified of people - and even other horses. I worked closely with him in his healing process and completely fell in love. When the camp decided he wasn't going to be a good fit for their campers because of his high sensitivity, I was afraid he'd end up on a meat-truck. So, I got a job and bought him myself. We've been through so much since then including his his rehabilitation and cancer treatments, and I've learned a lot in the process. My experience with him confirmed my dream: I wanted to start a horse rescue one day, and help many more horses. But it wasn't until I saw the first season of Heartland that I decided it was time to make that dream a reality.
I read some of the Heartland book series when I was younger, and when I saw the advertisements about the show before it aired I was ecstatic! When I was really young I watched the show "Neon Rider," if anyone remembers that, and always loved the idea of bringing people with problems together with horses to help heal hearts and build confidence. As I went through university I did every research paper I could about horses in some way or another, from the slaughter industry to the mechanics of how horses see, and I even did my thesis on Equine Consciousness. I used my creativity to make schoolwork focus on something I was passionate about!
I continued on to do a Masters degree and studied the Animal Rights Movement and learned how animal welfare organizations work. I also trained as a facilitator of Equine Experiential Learning, where I learned how to help horses be the teachers. Like Amy does on the show, I now help people understand what horses are feeling, and often mirroring for their human partners, by interpreting their behavior and body language. Actually, what I do is surprisingly similar to the methods practiced by one of the Heartland characters, Victor Whitetail. I was so excited to see these methods in the show that I called everyone I knew immediately after the first episode Victor appears in to tell them they HAD to see it!
But that wasn't the first time Heartland excited me into action and it probably won't be the last. By about the 5th or 6th episode of the first season I was convinced the writers discovered my life-long dream and turned it into a TV show. Of course, I realize thousands of people share a dream like mine, but I was truly inspired. I decided that if my dream could be acted out in a television show, I should be able to make it happen in real life! So one night, after watching Heartland, I decided to start looking for property that I could use to start building my dream. I found a super realtor who had a bunch of farmland listings and convinced my Mom it was time to start looking.
Things happened faster than I anticipated - within two weeks we had found a plot of 130 acres near Sussex, New Brunswick that looked perfect! We put a bid in on the land, but when it was accepted we needed to find a way to pay for it. I discovered you can't get a mortgage for land like you can for a house, so I needed to get creative. My Mom is a single mom and she has been working as a dental assistant for 30+ years, so she wasn't in a position to help financially. It was frustrating! I was SO close to getting my dream started but couldn't quite reach the goal. But, I'm as stubborn as Amy when it comes to finding a way to do something to help horses, so I stuck to it. Within another couple of weeks, and the amazingly generous support of my Godfather and his family who co-signed a loan for me and Mom, we were able to finance the land!
Since then, I began a PhD on the history of horse-human relations, so I could have the chance to study everything there is to know from the greatest horsemen and horsewomen in the world. Since I'm only 24, I figured this education will help me help the horses I rescue in the best way possible. I did the paperwork and have registered what was once just a dream as a non-profit organization called Earth Spirit Horse Rescue.
Like Heartland, we are just a small group but we have a big determination to help as many horses as possible! My Mom and my sweetheart Tom are my partners in the organization but dozens of other amazing horse-lovers, friends, and family have been incredibly supportive in my efforts to realize this dream. Currently we are fund raising to build the facilities we need to operate the horse rescue at our land. One day I want to integrate youth programs into our operation, and like they do so beautifully on the show, work in a space that heals hearts and horses at the same time!
Every week when I watch Heartland, as I watch the characters act out a story that so closely resembles the one in my heart, I gain new enthusiasm toward building my dream in Earth Spirit Horse Rescue. Next time you watch an episode, I hope you'll think of us and smile knowing how Heartland encouraged one girl in Atlantic Canada to follow her biggest dream!
If you'd like to learn more about Earth Spirit Horse Rescue and how it is developing, you can visit our website at earthspirithorserescue.com - we'd love to hear how Heartland has inspired you and your horse-dreams too!
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What an amazing story! Thanks Christy!
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natalie wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 11:40 AM
amazing story! i wish to do something like that myself one day. Heartland and this story is an inspiration. Keep up the amazing work!!!
Free Spirit wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 2:45 PM
What an amazing story! Christy I have a dream much like yours, you have inspired me to get every bit of expereince I can study my passion learn from it and most importantly to follow my dreams! :) You are one amazing woman! One day when I do my cross country road trip I will be sure to make a stop in sussex NB to visit you!!! :D
Christy wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 3:45 PM
Thank you so much HEARTLAND, for all your support in this big dream of mine. It means so much to me!
Pam wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 4:10 PM
All of you are a true inspiration. The work you are trying to do for the horses is amazing! Keep it the great work.
Rachel wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 4:18 PM
What a nice story Christy! I am sure that we all loved it. I know I did! I wish you luck with your organization, I am sure that it will be a huge success!
Lots of love,
~Rachel
Rina Martin wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 4:47 PM
Best of luck in acheiving your dream Christy.
Big Bear wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 5:09 PM
Methods like Victor Whitetail - so you're out on the range looking for your eagle eh? Haha kidding. I love your video on your site! Everybody check it out.
Hannah wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 6:00 PM
This amazing lady has also been trying to raise money to build shelters and structures on her land to help the horses. Help her win the pepsi refresh challenge by voting here!
http://www.refresheverything.ca/horserescue
Morning Star Acres wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 7:06 PM
We are very excited that this is coming to our area. It will be beneficial to us as we relocated Standardbreds from teh racetrack to avoid going to auction or slaughter. Christy and Morning Star Acres will hopefully be able to help us when urgent cases arouse and we need to move a horse real fast. Proud to help out....
|Best of luck with launching your program.
DoricaW wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 7:16 PM
When do you expect that season 4 will come out on DVD???? and the Heartland movie will it come out on DVD?????
Jesse wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 7:59 PM
That's amazing Christy! I myself would love to work with horses one day. I love being around them. Heartland is an inspiration and so is your story. Good luck with acheiving your dream! - Jesse :)
Isabella wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 9:05 PM
Truly Amazing story Christy! Heartland definetly is inspiring! It inspired me to use methods like join up, and herbs :) Thanks for telling us your story! :):)
TC wrote:
Posted December 13, 2010 9:27 PM
This is an incredibly inspiring story. It's so amazing to see that Christy knows what she wants, and took the steps to start making her goal a reality. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Dream big dreams, boys and girls, and don't let anyone tell you you're too stupid, too poor, too *insert any of a million put-downs here* to accomplish that big dream.
-TC
Amy wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 12:09 AM
Wow. That was a great story! :) I loved it.
D wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 12:16 AM
I soo love your story. You sound alot like me. I use to do the same things when I was younger acting like a horse ;). I soo remeber Neon Rider I loved it. Good for you Christy at 24 doing this. I have always want to do something like this and i hope to in a few years. Best wishes to ya.
D-
Elizabeth wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 8:29 AM
Awesome Christy!!!
sarah wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 8:42 AM
awsome christy
I also want to open up a rescue center when i get older i've had horse since i was about five and i am obbssed with horses i also want to be a vet and train some horses i trianed a pony his name is Olson he is a fjord and i am only 12
Deborah Bonk wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 8:48 AM
Christy, your story brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with so much love.
God bless you for being you!
I can't wait to visit one day soon!
Much love,
Deborah
Jade wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 10:32 AM
Amazing story of perseverance! I have dreams and childhood memories similar to yours, I'm horse obsessed, they are incredible animals! My horse is gonna heal hearts one day, more than just my own. I hope to use Therapeutic Recreation with horses to help humans one day, working on my BA now! Thanks for the inspiration :)
Bonnie Huskins wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 10:37 AM
Congratulations Christie! You continue to impress and inspire me!
shannon h wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 12:33 PM
I went to her website and read nearly everything! This is truly inspiring!! I love the idea and the passion. Since I am only 15 myself, I cannot really help donate and money, but Ive gotten some of my friends to sign up and vote for your amazing idea!!
Heartland may have inspired you to begin this amazing rescue center, but your efforts and passion has inspired me to do something similar. :)
gennie morrison wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 4:15 PM
i like every thing about heartland and the specail.
susie wrote:
Posted December 14, 2010 8:49 PM
That is so amazing! I would life to so something life that someday also. I hope everything works out Christy! Your a true inspiration!
countrygurl twin wrote:
Posted December 15, 2010 1:10 PM
WOW!!!
SIMPLY AMAZING...
HealingHorses wrote:
Posted December 15, 2010 11:41 PM
It is truly AMAZING the work you are doing!!! I can relate to your story a lot because ever since I was really little I have always wanted to work with horses and help them, but I was never sure exactly what I wanted to do... until I read the Heartland books. As soon as I started to read the books I knew I wanted to do the work that Amy does and watching the show made it even more real.
I've done a lot of research and reading on T-Touch, Join up and working with horses. I took riding lessons when I was little and took them for a few years, but now I haven't been able to for a couple years so I'm saving money so I can start riding again soon. Your story has really encouraged me that I can make my dream come true.
May God Bless you and your work with horses!!!!:):):)
Macy T wrote:
Posted December 16, 2010 7:34 AM
Wow that was truly inspiring!
Ever since I was little I wanted to find a way to help both people and horses.. I have a big place in my heart for special needs kids, and I decided that one day I wanted to open up a theraputic riding barn. It's been a struggle because I'm so young and I don't really know where to start, but you just inspired me that you're never too young and I'm going to stick to my dream no matter what.
Thank you so much, and congratulations Christy on everything!
Christy Clarke wrote:
Posted December 17, 2010 11:12 AM
Thank you everyone, for your amazing and encouraging comments! Support from amazing and kind people like you mean the world to me. I'm SO pleased to hear of all of the big dreams so many of you have, and I'm here to say you absolutely can make them come true, you just need a little creativity and a lot of passion, and you can do anything!
Perhaps our paths will cross one day, and if so it would be a delight to meet each of you!
In Gratitude,
Christy
3blindmice wrote:
Posted December 19, 2010 3:08 AM
Well done Christy for following your dreams!! Good on you. I wish you all the best in the future!
Jess wrote:
Posted December 31, 2010 7:24 PM
OMG I was just like her when I was her age. I'm hoping to do something to do with horses when I'm older. Heartland has made me love horses even more!
Jess wrote:
Posted December 31, 2010 7:28 PM
Well done ;) I'd love to do something like that x
JADE wrote:
Posted January 4, 2011 2:05 PM
Is there a way that i could contact Christy?
[Blog Whisperer: Hi Jade! There's a link to her website on the blog post she wrote.]
Crystal Rice wrote:
Posted January 16, 2011 8:15 PM
Why have your writers turned the character Tim Flemming into an inconsiderate puke head (for lack of a mean vocabulary) over time, and why have you not married jack to that lovely blond woman? should his character not have happiness? no complaints about the rest of the show though i do think that Amy's character should find a new bow, and that ty should find a new gal, if possible those two have too many fireworks between them.