Intermission Show - Patchworks

Respect & Support

Building Bonds of Trust

Patchworks riding school is part of Patchworks farm a non-profit community organization working with special needs children in Santa Rosa , California . We currently serve children who live at the Family Support center, a homeless shelter in Santa Rosa . We operate on a 5 acre farm with a big red barn, animals to care for and an organic garden to explore. Our goal is to help homeless and all youth embody respect and kindness for people, animals and the earth. We do this by creating a supportive farm atmosphere where youth can develop skills, self-esteem, and empathy for all creatures. The children care for and learn to ride horses, help with the chickens and general farm chores. We combine a safe place to be around horses (and ride) for at risk youth with their ¡home-schooled peers and let the magic happen. This work builds a container of love for a population of children who deeply need our help and support. “The children think they are learning how to ride a horse, I know they are learning compassion and a whole lot more…” Judy Jenkins ~ Executive Director/Instructor
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Ursula Liakos Award Presentation

The Sonoma County Chapter of the California Dressage Society instituted the Ursula Liakos Award in 1998 in honor of Ursula Liakos a member of the chapter. Ursula was dedicated and passionate to helping and rescuing horses in need. This award recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated equestrian philanthropy, striven to protect the well being of horses, and/or elevated the profile of equestrian endeavors in Sonoma County.





Recipients who have received this award include:
1998 George Liakos
1999 Glen Ellen Vocational Academy, Inc. 2000 Sonoma County Horse Council
2001 Judy McHerron
2002 Barbara Chasteen
2004 Dr Mitch Benson
2007 Gail Davis, Sydni Davenport, Melissa Percell
About Ursala With a nod of the head and a knowing, sly smile, Ursula would begin her magic. Before you knew what had happened, you were completely absorbed in her charming voice and ready to volunteer for anything. An undaunted, passionate advocate for all animals – particularly horses – Ursula and her cause were irresistible. Ursula raised and bred some of the world’s most beautiful Trakehners, who thrived under her love and care. She established the Horse Rescue, Releif and Retirement Fund to ensure that unwanted or mistreated horses would be given loving, stable homes. And she passed on her knowledge through teaching and talking, both of which she did on a regular, even persistent basis. Ursula is and will continue to be deeply missed, especially by those animals to whom she dedicated her life. The rest of us are now left with the extraordinary task of carrying on her work and making sure that her message will remain strong. “I cannot imagine a heaven without horses,” Ursula used to say. Smile, if you have the same wish.
2007 Winners
Gail Davis – Gail Davis is a real life local hero, having rescued some 25 horses from certain death. Industry estimates are that there are about 50,000 horses a year being killed on the Premarin(r) farms in Canada. Gail heard that and instead of crying about how horrible it was, she took action. She made several trips and purchased foals from the farms to save them from slaughter. She and her partner Mark Hanson tamed these nearly wild horses, nursed them to health, taught them that people can be kind and trustworthy and have helped re-home them. They have paid for their purchase and all rehabilitation expenses out of pocket. 'Gail's babies' aren't so little... they are all big horses, usually cross breeds of draft or heavy horse stock. But they are gorgeous, show quality animals thanks to her wonderful care and nurturing.
Sydni Davenport and Melissa Percell – These two generous, devoted, knowledgeable women were responsible for saving 60 Arabian mares, foals and stallions from starvation or slaughter. These horses, many with quite good bloodlines, were running in a large Lake County pasture as a wild herd without enough food or care or human contact. The numbers were out of control. Stallions roamed with bands of mares. Mares had foals at their sides and were pregnant. “It was a jaw dropping sight,” said Melissa of the first day they saw the horses. “There were so many horses swirling around like schools of fish. They were hungry and there was no food.” That day the women bought and unloaded 40 bales of hay. That day they spent 12 hours treating these feral horses that needed medical attention. A rescue group had been there the day before and due to poor handling, the horses were very nervous. Several stallions were severely injured from trying to protect their band. Mares were without their foals, and foals were without their moms. “It was heartbreaking,” said Melissa. “We patched up what horses we could. The owner allowed us to take some horses with us. We left around 10 p.m. That started many trips over Mt. St. Helena back and forth between Lake and Sonoma Counties for three days, at their own cost, on their own time. “The thought of the horses up there with no food and barely enough water made our stomachs hurt.” Sydni began an email campaign through the Golden Gate Arabian Horse Association and soon other horses lovers joined the women for trips over the mountain daily to feed horses, catch horses, sort horses that could be loaded. “Many of us work full time jobs” Melissa said. “We worked with the horses on site until 2 a.m., and then would return the next day to help more.” Finally all the horses were removed from the site and placed by the women in either permanent or long term temporary foster guardianship in safe homes with ample food, water and shelter. Many stallions have been gelded. Many mares have aborted. Many foals have been born. Today Sydni and Melissa say that “as individuals we could not save the herd, but as a group we did. Thank you for giving these horses a second chance and a happy ending.” This description is only the tip of the iceberg of this story. These are truly two beautiful human beings.