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Hello Writing Competitor’s!!
I can only image you have been getting totally impatient waiting for the announcements of who the lucky winners are of the 1st Annual VFTH Children’s Writing Competition ~ Subject Wild Horses!! Well today is the day you will find out how you faired and in saying so will tell you I was so personally touched by all the essay submissions, I stepped down from being a judge as I felt too connected to you all as you shared your passion for wild horses through your writing. The panel of judges very much felt the same way too, deeply moved by all you shared with us, you truly ALL are a “Voice For The Horse"!
So today marks a very special day! Before I tell you the results of the writing competition, I wish to share some heartfelt stuff with you here. When I decided to host this writing competition through Voice For The Horse, it was an event that would determine if I could carry on with my dreams of creating something that would help make lives better for all horses and because of the success of having all you young writers getting involved, we have taken steps at Voice For The Horse to become a registered Foundation in Canada with hopes to open up a chapter of Voice For The Horse in the United States also!
I would like to extend a personal thanks to all of our sponsors, judges and also the parents, teachers, librarians and even school principals who signed off on and encouraged their children to write their essays on wild horses! Times are not so easy for our wild horses these days as is for many of our domesticated horses who one way or another become unwanted. To all our young writers who participated in this writing competition, I must re-iterate the importance of continuing to be a voice for the horse. Outside the fact many horses are left by the wayside with no one to care for them any longer, we have other concerns and this is our environment. In the last several years more than ever we are seeing unexpected weather changes which include one of the most serious for the horse/livestock industry and this is droughts, and when this happens much is compromised in that feed prices for horses become very high and this situation puts many horses at further risk where their owners are not able to feed them. I recently spoke to a horseman in Colorado who has 40 horses on his ranch who are both show and working animals. He tallied up the feed bill for the year and because of the lack of hay in his area, caused the hay prices to go up through the roof. It costs him $60,000 per year to now feed his horses. President of the ISPMB, Karen Sussman shared with me recently a year ago they had three feet of snow at her Sanctuary; this year there is none which will cause problems here too as there is expected hay shortages this coming year. One of the other problems with the droughts is the risk of fire. What I am sharing with you here is only some thoughts of what we need to be aware of in today’s world and how it affects not only our lives but that of our horses and other wildlife out there too. In my opinion, this special group of writers has proven to not only me but the many others who will read and enjoy your essays, you truly are the voice for the horses and the horses need you more than ever today.
Thank you for your patience in waiting for our announcement of our Grand Prizes Winners and for ALL for your heartfelt efforts and your stories.
OK, time to find out who our lucky winners are! Ready, Set, Go!! Click here to find out who our lucky winners are!!
Congratulations Everyone ~ you are ALL STARS and you ROCK!!
Yvonne ~ Your Host for the 1st Annual VFTH Children’s Writing Competition
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Yvonne and one of her equine massage fans ~ Ali!
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