The White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue will be holding its 2019 Obstacle Challenge on Saturday, May 18. The event will be hosted and sponsored by Beverly Renfro at Fine Line Farm, 4004 Bethlehem Road, Charlotte Court House.

This Southside-area competition is a fun way to raise awareness about the lifesaving work that equine rescues, like White Bird, do year-round to care for at-risk horses in the community who have often been abused or neglected. Entry information for this challenge and the other dates in this year’s series can be obtained from Beverly Renfro at (434) 607- 7976, email renfrob@ cstone.net, or Tom Mayfield at (540) 272-9906, email whitebirdapps@ gmail.com.

“Rescue work can often be intense, so an opportunity to have a play day with horse owners and their horses is refreshing for us,” said Jorg Huckabee-Mayfield, president of the rescue. “The Obstacle Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for our team to welcome the residents and businesses of Southside Virginia to a great day out in the sun and fresh air. It will also help spread awareness about the at-risk horses in our community who are in need of loving homes. We hope our friends and supporters will come out on May 18 and either participate or root for their favorites and raise money so we can continue our lifesaving efforts. Sponsorships are welcome in cash or in-kind and the rescue is grateful to those sponsors already donating prizes and ribbons for this challenge, as well as door and raffle prizes, and a silent auction.”

The White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue is a Virginia-based 501c2 nonprofit organization. Founded in 2003 in northern Virginia, the organization relocated to Burkeville in 2006, and while the rescue specializes in Appaloosas, its focus is to assist horses of any breed in urgent need. The rescue provides emergency relocation, rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming services. In one recent case, a 30-year-old blind pony, surrendered to the rescue six years ago, has now found a job with a therapeutic riding facility.

For more information about the challenge and the White Bird Appaloosa Horse Rescue, visit www.whitebirdapps.com, or https:// www.facebook.com/ Whitebirdrescue/.