What started as a hobby for former major league baseball player Shea Hillenbrand has turned into a nonprofit organization at his Marley Farms animal rescue ranch in Gilbert, saving the lives of animals slated to be euthanized by Valley shelters.
What started as a hobby for former major league baseball player Shea Hillenbrand has turned into a nonprofit organization at his Marley Farms animal rescue ranch in Gilbert, saving the lives of animals slated to be euthanized by Valley shelters.
About $4,500 was raised at Marley Farms, 26601 S. Val Vista Drive, during its charity horse show on Saturday and Sunday.
The show featured 150 horses that strutted their stuff during the multibreed competition in front of a crowd of 300, according to Lorraine Pepping, coordinator of the show.
The proceeds benefit Marley Farms’ Against All Odds Animal Rescue program, which has about 50 animals, mostly dogs and some cats and horses available for adoption. The farm also features a petting zoo.
“We had a very good turnout,” Pepping said of the charity horse show. “We raised our eyebrows when we saw all the people who showed up Saturday. We really appreciated the public’s support and the support from our sponsors. This year, we wanted to do something out of the box for the farm, and it was a success, and we plan to do this next year.”
A gelding horse owned by Allison Kroft, an East Valley resident, won the $500 Mini Prix division, a top honor of the show,
Pepping said, The horses, which mostly competed in dressage and western classes, were judged on their ability to take orders as well as their style of jumping, and the riders also were judged on their form and ability to ride.
Hillenbrand, a Mesa native and former Arizona Diamondbacks infielder, and his wife, Jessica, rescue animals that are slated to be euthanized by Valley shelters and foster them until they are adopted, Pepping said.
