Galloping into the holidays with Christmas ponies

Nov. 29—MITCHELL — This Sunday, forget Santa’s reindeer—Gentle Spirit Horse Rescue is bringing the real stars of the season to Runnings. The spirit of Christmas is galloping into town as the rescue hosts their annual Christmas Ponies event.

The festive fundraiser will take place from 1 to 3 p.m., promising to bring joy to children while supporting the rescue’s mission of helping neglected and abused horses. During the event, children will have the chance to meet a few friendly rescued ponies, take photos, and contribute to the rescue by selecting items from their wish list.

Tiffany Ring, executive director of Gentle Spirit Horse Rescue, said this is the third year the meet and greet event has come to Mitchell.

“We started this event to spread holiday cheer and introduce kids to the world of horses, especially ponies, which are such a favorite among the kids,” Ring said. “It’s a community event that’s a lot of fun, but it also helps us gather donations and support for the horses we care for.”

Gentle Spirit Horse Rescue, based in Scotland, South Dakota, operates the largest horse sanctuary in the state. The organization specializes in rehabilitating and rehoming horses who have been neglected, abused, or abandoned. However, it also provides educational programs to teach the public—especially children—how to care for these magnificent animals.

“We believe in the power of education. By teaching kids how to take care of horses, they gain life skills that can foster a lifelong love and respect for animals,” said Ring. “The Christmas Ponies event is a perfect opportunity to get kids excited about horses while making a difference.”

The Christmas Ponies event has its whimsical roots in a pint-sized equine named Cola, a 13-year-old miniature horse gelding who one day donned a Santa suit and delighted in every moment. Known affectionately as Santa Cola, he became the heart of the festivities, inspiring the tradition of bringing joy to children through his charming presence and his team of “poinsettia ponies.”

While Cola has since retired from public appearances due to his grumpier demeanor with age, two or three other rescued ponies now take center stage, captivating children with delightful photo opportunities and gentle interactions that bring smiles and laughter to all.

While the rescue doesn’t have a large number of ponies, the ones they do have are perfect for such events. The primary goal of Gentle Spirit Horse Rescue is to rehabilitate horses and ponies and adopt them out to new homes. In 2023, they took in and successfully adopted out 39 horses, a balance that allows the organization to continue its life-saving work.

The Christmas Ponies event serves multiple purposes for the sanctuary. The event offers families a unique opportunity to interact with the ponies, giving children the chance to enjoy hands-on experiences by petting and brushing the rescued animals. In addition, families are encouraged to pick an item from the Gentle Spirit wish list, such as senior feed, fly masks, or water buckets, to donate during the event. These donations help support the ongoing care of the rescue’s equine residents. While the fundraiser isn’t meant to raise large sums, it allows families to give back in a fun and accessible way.

“We don’t want families to feel obligated to make big donations,” said Ring. “It’s really about making a fun connection with the ponies, and if families can chip in for a small necessity, that’s wonderful.”

While not all ponies make an appearance at every Christmas Ponies event, Princess Di is a guaranteed constant. This nearly 30-year-old rescue came to Gentle Spirit Horse Rescue from a neglectful situation, where she could barely walk.

“She’s always had this great personality. As soon as she knows there are kids around, she’s just perfect. She poses for pictures,” Ring said.

Ring said that the event is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for all families.

“We don’t want parents to feel obligated to spend a lot of money. We try to make it fun,” Ring said. “We tell them it’s the ponies’ job to get enough treats for all the horses for the whole year under the Christmas tree.”

While the Christmas Ponies event brings seasonal joy, these equine ambassadors have a year-round mission at Gentle Spirit Horse Rescue. They play a crucial role in the Bug Club, an educational program for children aged 3-13. This initiative introduces young horse enthusiasts to the world of proper equine care, fostering deep connections between kids and horses through hands-on experiences and engaging activities.

“We want every kid to have a chance to experience the magic of a pony,” Ring said.

The Christmas Ponies event has already brought joy to Sioux Falls on November 24, where families enjoyed meeting the rescued ponies and generously donated 36 bags of treats. The festivities will continue in Yankton today, followed by a visit to Wagner on December 8, spreading holiday cheer and raising awareness for horse rescue efforts across South Dakota.

For those interested in learning more about Gentle Spirit Horse Rescue or getting involved, information is available on their

website.

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