I would prefer to keep a low profile & not have to deal w/ any
extremist views, sabotage, etc. I realize that not every animal
rights activist is looney, and not every PETA member is an extremist.
However, as a ride manager, the safety of the horses and people are
my concern. We will NOT compromise our horse & rider safety!!
We are not publicizing our activity outside of the horse community.
We are holding our ride on ALL PRIVATE LAND. If they attempt to
obstruct our ride, they can and WILL be arrested for trespassing. We
have alerted the local Sheriff's department that we are having a ride
and what our concerns are. They have been very supportive & offered
several off-duty sheriff's, in uniform, in squad cars, to help w/
road crossings & with ANY other problems we may encounter from such a
group. We have a local policeman in our riding club who plans to
help patrol the camp itself.
We are paranoid, but PETA & a splinter group, ALF (VERY
radical & destructive) have harrassed fisherman in the area recently
as well as 2 meat packing plants & a butcher's shop. I hope that
nobody else has to go thru this type of concern. We are taking
PROACTIVE precautions to avoid problems.
BTW, any HORSE person who wishes a ride application for the Isle of Wight
25/50 held 1 hour S of Richmond, VA may Email me.
Linda Flemmer
ABF Challenger ("Rocket") & Eternal Point ("Major")
Blue Wolf Equestrian Supplies/ Blue Wolf Ranch
Chesapeake, VA
"In case of emergency - Fur side up, steel side down!"