PRESIDENT

5. Expect less.

Our lives with horses...

Our lives with horses are rich with feeling. You know this if you've ever.... choked back tears watching a new foal wobble to his feet for the First time ...or watched your good horse wobble to his feet after surgery.... or seen the ends of the reins float straight out as a reining horse spins beneath them . . or chuckled to yourself as you watched a tiny tot on a patient pony trot through a barrel pattern at a saddle club payday ... or felt the building tremble as an eight-up hitch of feather-legged giants towed a hand-carved beer wagon into the arena ... or had your heart stop when you saw your horse lying motionless in the pasture on a sunny day and waited breathlessly for an ear to flick ... or cheered at the screen when 'The Man From Snowy River' slid Dennie down the mountainside, .. or when Seabiscuit made his final surge to beat War Admiral ... or cruised along the highway and seen a horse in a pasture and wondered what he's like to ride or pictured him as a prospect ... or sucked in your breath as a horse and rider approached a six-foot wall ... or sworn a solemn oath to your horse that together you would triumph ... or flipped through the TV channels and stopped when you saw a horse even when it was a commercial ... or laughed aloud when you rubbed your horse's face and he rubbed back ... or gotten chills hearing Dave Johnson's 'and DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!' (or 'Run for the Roses' circa 1980 ish?)
... or stood in awe at your horse in morning play as he sprinted around the pasture, then stopped, head erect, and snorted defiance at the rest of the world
... or been thankful to see wild horses grazing casually at the foot of a hill ... or felt calmed by the sleekness of a silky
haircoat beneath your hand ... or felt your jaw drop as you watched a Lipazzan
perform a capriole ... or if you've ever seen someone in the grocery store wearing a certain kind of hat, or boots, or buckle, or have a certain cut and length to their jeans, and felt some remote kind of connection ... or felt warmed by a soft nicker greeting as you entered the barn ... or slid your hand under your horse's blanket to straighten it out, only to pause in the glowing feeling that you get when you touch the
warmth of his coat... or riding on a trail with your horse, thinking how that trail over there looks nice and almost without asking, your horse has sensed your slightest movement in the saddle and he's now taking you there. ... or pulled up to your barn where you board and only your horse greets you with a welcoming hello from the sound of your car or your voice.

HEROES AND HORSES

SOME NOTABLE HEROES AND THEIR HORSES ARE MENTIONED AND WE KNOW YOUR HORSE IS YOUR HERO AND VICE VERSA.

1. Kanthaka - Buddha's horse, the one he used when he was still Siddhartha the prince, to escape from his father's palace and begin his journey toward enlightenment. Kanthaka's hooves made no sounds as they fled together and he is often depicted being lifted on his four feet by benign spirits.

2. Pegasus - the mythical winged horse parented by Neptune and Medusa and ridden by Bellerophon to rid the world of Chimera, the monster. Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, was able to capture and train Pegasus when he allowed her to place her golden bit in his mouth.

3. Phosphorus (Light Bearer) - the great Roman racehorse immortalized by the 4th century Roman poet Ausonius (at the emperor's request) in a beautiful eulogy: Fly with haste to join the wing-footed horses of Elysium; may Pegasus gallop on your right and Arion as your left-wheeler, and let Castor find a fourth horse for the team.

4. Babieca - famed white gelding of El Cid, Rodrigo Diaz of Bivar, the Spanish hero who united Christians and Muslims against a Moorish onslaught from Africa. Babieca lived to be 30 years old and carried El Cid into all his battles. Babieca means "crazy" as Rodrigo made a crazy choice since the colt was the runt of the herd.

5. Bucephalus (Ox-head) - beloved horse of Alexander the Great who bore the Macedonian hero on his back from Greece to India. Odds against a horse living past 20 in that era were great, but Bucephalus, in his 20s, endured until he fell in battle in India.

6. Sleipnir - the eight-legged war horse of Odin, the Norse god, was able to fly without wings and shape-shift.

7. Balios and Xanthos - a grey and bay, both sired by Zephyros, the West Wind, who together pulled Achilles' chariot.

8. Vivasat - a Hindu sun-god who often took the form of a stallion.

9. Al Burak - Mohammed's horse, on whose back he ascended to heaven, was brought to him by the archangel Gabriel

10. Chiron - the centaur who taught Achilles, Jason and the first physician, Ascelpius, all he knew.

11. Rakhsh - blue-eyed and dappled red horse of the legendary Persian warrior, Rustam. Rakhsh was highly intelligent and saved his sleeping master from a lion's attack, killing the predator.

There are many more famous mythical and real horses and we will be adding to our list. Can you help us add to this list?. thank you Harmony Horse Works.

The question is not: "do you support horse slaughter."

The question is: "do you support the cruel, terrifying transport for days without food and water in their journey to death?"

The question is: "do you support the torture and abuse of the killer chutes, even for crippled horses, pregnant mares, wild horses, protective mares with foals by their sides?"

The question is: “Do you support the horse slaughter factories that lie to their consumers about the many chemicals that taint the horse meat, and call it Organic?

The question is: do you support the breeder who breeds hundreds of horses just to pick out the good ones and cash in the rest to the killer buyer?

The question is: Do you support the person who uses the horse its whole life and when it gets to an old age sends it to slaughter as a thank you?

The question is: “do you support the slaughter workers who cheer a horse on that struggles extra hard for its life?

The question is: Do you support the killer buyer who not only buys up the strong, fat and healthy horses and leaves the meek weak and unhealthy for society, but also bids against the good homes and horse rescues?

The question is: “Can you see though the lies of the ones who stand to loose a buck with the end of horse slaughter?

The question is: Do you support ripping the last of our wild horses away from their families and peaceful lives to be slaughtered?

The question is: As a nation, can we allow this to continue and still call ourselves a civilized country?

The question is: "Can you look at the footage of innocent horses with their eyes gouged out, hooves ripped off, legs broken, beaten by the workers, faces smashed in from being on the transport trucks, horses stabbed in their spines, horses conscious for the entire killing process and do nothing?

That is the question, so what is YOUR answer?

Resolve to make the world a better place for animals (credit: PETA)

	If you haven't already done so, have the companion animals who depend on you spayed or neutered. These simple procedures help protect your furry friends from many types of cancer and prevent thousands of animals from being born only to end up abandoned on the streets or dumped at severely crowded animal shelters.
	If you live with a dog, pledge to walk him or her every day, even when it's cold outside and you'd rather hide under a blanket. If you share your home with cats, set aside some "kitty (or horsey) quality time" every day to play with, brush, and bond with them. It's sometimes too easy to overlook our feline friends, but they can get bored and lonely too.
	If there is a lonely "backyard dog" in your neighborhood, try befriending his or her guardian. Start by politely talking to him or her about the dog's needs, such as companionship, daily portions of fresh food and water, and a weatherproof doghouse filled with straw. Many lucky dogs have had their lives changed because someone like you cared enough to intervene.
	If you're shopping for yourself or buying holidays gifts for your loved ones, stay away from fur, wool, leather, and companies that make or sell products made from the skins of animals.

NOTE: Crossed Sabers can not fully guarantee the accuracy of every page on this website which is huge (38,000 files and over 300 pages). We do not have the personnel or time to keep it up to date and accurate for every situation as this Stable and all its programs have always been a dynamic entity, ever changing and improving itself to meet the needs of horses and horse people. We do try to make sure each page is up to date and accurate but the best thing to do If you have a question, is email or call us. Additionally Crossed Sabers can not guarantee anything that anyone says about us on line, we have no control over other people and their websites, forums or ads, all we can tell people is if you do not know the person, their name, address and their experience, age or history/background/education and location do not trust what they say. That is true for everything on the internet. Some things said about us have been grossly inaccurate and did not come from CSS, some come from past employees we fired for cause (for hurting horses or stealing from us), people that are pro-slaughter and hate our mission and what we do for horses enjoy trying to make us look bad, some are horse traders that we've helped put out of business and some are people we helped put in jail on neglect cases. Again, if you have questions about us, our services, our company structure, how we are licensed, how we pay taxes, how we do things or anything at all, please feel free to contact us, just don't assume that all you read on another website is accurate because 99% of it is not true, especially if you read it on a forum, blog or chat room and don't assume that it came from us, just call 304-873-3532 or email us at secondwindadopt@aol.com, or better yet, come and see our operation and you will see how we do things. I can guarantee it's 1000 times better than what the liars and frauds say who are jealous of our work. All programs and services listed on this website, including SWAP is a part of Crossed Sabers Stable which has been licensed in WV for the last 13 years. The Mountain State Horse School and Second Wind Adoption Program, Inc. and Crossed Sabers International Horse School, Inc. was incorporated on 4 Sep 08 to address the education needs and life challenges of people and horses.

Buyer and Seller Beware!! Update on the Robin Hollingsworth of Blacksburg, SC (she has several alias's and about 10 fake names) fraud case for those of you who have been asking. The SC prosecutor accepted a plea bargain from her and dropped the case if she paid the people she ripped off (the people she took money under false pretenses from when she sold them horses she did not own), she did that so she was let go but the 3 arrests will stay on her record and the record of what she did to all those people is still on the books and will stay there. If she is caught again I'm certain she will go to jail but people who are cheated by her must stand up and testify.. If more people that she ripped off would have not chickened out and backed out because of fear (Quote from them was we are scared of her, she is crazy) she would be in jail right now but beware, she is still loose and still taking free horses or companion horses that have things like ringbone and navicular and drugging them and then selling them as high level jumpers and competition horses on the internet. Her daughter works with her, Amanda or Mandy, she helps her rip people off. Beware, I'm getting calls almost every month where Robin has committed more crimes against people, taking horses, not paying for them, bouncing checks, buying vehicles and horse trailers and not paying for them. BEWARE OF THIS WOMAN!! If you want her history or to check a person's name against our black list (our do not adopt to, do not sell to, do not buy from, do not hire or even rent to list), then contact us.

BEWARE: Do not buy a horse from anyone you do not know, ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERNET, unless they have websites like ours, their names and addresses listed and they show they have a long long history on their website and do not buy unless you go to see the horse and have it vet checked and you have contact with the vet, not the seller or even trainer telling you what the vet said. DO NOT GIVE YOUR HORSE OR SELL YOUR HORSE WITHOUT A WRITTEN AGREEMENT AS TO WHAT IS TO HAPPEN WITH THE HORSE, RESELLING, USE/LIMITATIONS, FACILITIES NEEDED, ETC. It you sell or give away a horse with no agreement, they could go to slaughter the same day you release them or they could be sold and misrepresented, living a life of neglect, abuse, over use and miss use the rest of their lives. We hear stories all the time where a best friend or neighbor, the nice lady you gave the horse to sent the horse to slaughter or is neglecting it and there is not a thing the owner can do now because they no longer own the horse and they made no written agreements signed by both parties. If you need help doing written agreements, back ground checks on buyers and sellers, just contact us, that is part of our 'SAFE SELLING' SERVICES. Your horse's life depends on you being safe and thorough!

BEWARE: People are selling horses on the internet that don't even exist so beware, the horse industry is full is liars, cheaters, and thieves, even we have had to deal with them from potential adopters who were in jail applying to adopt, to employees and former trainers who totally ripped us off by stealing tack and tools, asking for huge advances and then leaving after they get them, people who don't even know us or had any experience with us slandering us on forums, harassing us and our supporters, interfering with company operations and even adopters who don't think twice about breaching their contract or forging their vets signature on applications & annual updates or even selling their adoption horse to programs like ours and even 501c3's public charities selling horses to slaughter auctions or being put in jail for neglect and animal cruelty. We are bringing each person that has wronged our horses to justice one at a time and winning all our cases but that does not protect the general public from these liars, thieves, con-artist and cheaters. Your horses life can easily be ruined forever, they could end up in a fate worse than death so buyer and seller beware, your horses life depends on you keeping them safe and you being thorough with doing things like getting references and making sure the people have stable employment, that they really own the farm they say they do, doing background checks to check for criminal records. The horse world is full of dishonesty which ruins it for honest people that really care and always try to do the right thing, such a shame. Just be very careful and get proof that your horse is going to a good home, get more than a feeling because we promise you about 50% of the time when it comes to horses, your feeling that its a 'nice' person or a 'good' person' is wrong. And even when you pick a good home, they can turn around and sell or give away to a bad home.

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches and negative people pull you down. People who like to cause trouble will shorten your life and make you just like them... miserable.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen.. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

Our President / CEO / Executive Director

"Our chief want in life is somebody

who will make us do what we can"


TITLE, BUSINESS NAME & LOCATION:
-Owner, Crossed Sabers Stable
-Founder, Second Wind Adoption Program
-President/CEO/Executive Director, The Mountain State Horse School & Second Wind Adoption Program, Inc.
-President/CEO/Executive Director, Crossed Sabers International Life School, Inc.
Rt 2 Box 24A Jockey Camp Road, West Union, West Virginia 26456

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Scuba Diving, Riding and Training Horses, Photography, Traveling, Training Dogs, Flying, Music, Fine Arts & Painting, Entertaining, Team and Individual Sports, Writing, Creative Arts, Dance, Sailing, Biking & Rollerblading.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Owner, Crossed Sabers Stable, Founder/President/Executive Director, The Mountain State Horse School & Second Wind Adoption Program, Inc. and Crossed Sabers International Life School, Inc. (6/96 - Present), Rt 2 Box 24A Jockey Camp Rd, West Union, WV 26456
• Responsible for the management of all company operations, equine boarding, training, instruction, transportation, strategic planning, logistics and administration.
• Began this business 13 years ago, with almost nothing and today it works as a fully functional horse business offering numerous services to local, state, national and international horse enthusiasts, with over a million of dollars worth of assets. Besides placing horses into homes, the program has a long list of educational and support programs, to include a fully functional college intern program that gives volunteers college credit and scholarship programs.
• Eight years ago founded a national not for profit animal welfare program that places horses into good homes all over the country. Adoption is rescue prevention and as of 1/08 we have placed 2000 horses. 67 different breeds have been in the program. Our web site consistently has 40 million visitors every year from over 100 different countries. This is an international program which supports all of the continental United States and Canada.
• Because of my work in the horse industry, have been asked to participate in varies activities with the US Horse and Animal welfare programs in order to promote the horse industry and animal/horse welfare. Have completed expert witness duties and assisted law enforcement in seizing and prosecuting against animal or horse abuse and neglect and fraud.
23 Years Military Duty with the US Army Active Duty Regular Army, US Army National Guard and US Army Reserves May 1980 – Oct 2003, rank from 2LT to Major.
Duty Stations On Active Duty Included Ft. Eustis, VA, Ft. Bragg, NC, Ft. Rucker, AL, Republic of Korea, Ft. Campbell, KY, Japan, National Guard with Vermont Army National Guard and West Virginia Army National Guard, US Army Reserves at Ft. Des Moines, IA and Ft. Eustis, VA
Commands included US Property and Fiscal Office, Regional Training Institute, 146^th Medical Co (Air Ambulance) Army Aviation Support Facility, 103^rd Corps Support Command, 1/222 Aviation Regiment, 86^th Air Traffic Control Battalion, 45^th Transportation Company (Aviation Intermediate Maintenance), 8^th US Army, 57^th Medical Detachment (Dustoff), 18^th Airborne Corps, Ft. Bragg, NC, 158^th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter), 101^st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY
Duty Positions included Supervisory Auditor, Battalion Executive Officer, Aeromedical Evacuation Pilot, Section Leader, Public Affairs Officer, Awards Officer, Helicopter Pilot, Aviation Readiness Officer, Company Commander, Aviation Section Leader, Platoon Leader, Unit Aircraft Maintenance Officer, UH-60 Pilot and Test Pilot, Tech Supply Officer, Pilot in Command, Assistant Maintenance Officer, Blackhawk Fielding Officer, OLR Project Officer, UH-1H pilot, Assistant Operations Officer
Duties & Assignments
• Responsible for the auditing for all Air Force and Army National Guard units within the state of West Virginia.
• Responsible for a flight crew up to over 1000 personnel, responsible for their safety, training, education, health, welfare and mission accomplishment.
• For evaluating internal controls, training, administration, operations and logistical operations within unit at all levels.
• To perform quick reaction audit and evaluations to help units find problems and their solutions
• Second in Command, responsible for the direction, supervision, coordination of the Battalion Staff. Responsible for implementing the administrative, operational, logistical plan for the Battalion.
• Was acting Commander in the absence of the Battalion Commander.
• Aeromedical Evacuation Pilot responsible for all aircraft operations, medical evacuations in the Corps area in combat and throughout the state in peacetime.
• Area Support Medevac Section Leader for 11 Warrant Officers and 14 Enlisted personnel.
• As Public Affairs Officer, responsible for relations with other government, civilian agencies, media and private citizens.
• As Awards Officer responsible for the individual and unit recognition for a job well done. Acknowledgment of individual and unit service to its country and state.
• Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Test Pilot responsible for the operational readiness (scheduled and unscheduled maintenance) for 15 UH-60 Blackhawks.
• Platoon Leader for 31 maintenance personnel.
• Responsible for the work flow of several allied shops within the maintenance platoon and a tech supply section worth several millions of dollars.
• Aircraft Maintenance Officer responsible for the supervision of maintenance support and recovery service to a fleet of over 330 Army aircraft in the ROK. Services Shops Platoon Leader with 96 military and Korean employees.
• Blackhawk Fielding Officer responsible for the fielding and test flying of the 100 helicopters that arrived in the Republic of Korea for the US Forces.
• Myself and a team of 10 soldiers met the C-5A every two weeks and unloaded, assembled, test flew and issued to the receiving unit. At the same time, the retrograde UH-1H’s were broke down and loaded for return to the US.
• Aeromedical Evacuation Pilot in a Rapid Deployment Force Unit, the 18^th Airborne Corps, which also completed the MAST Program (Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic) in which we did hundreds of civilian medical evacuations all over the east coast.
• Platoon Leader of 24 Maintenance Personnel, responsible for all scheduled & unscheduled maintenance of 6 UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters in the Medical Evacuation configuration.
• UH-60 Pilot and Test Pilot responsible for all flight operations, aircraft and personnel on board.

Commercial Pilot

• Government Contract Helicopter Pilot in support of the US Army Operations on Kwajalein Atoll. Flight Operations covered over 100 islands with the UH-1H in the Float configuration.
• Responsible for maintaining aircraft currency and proficiency in all flight operations.
• Responsible for the safe and timely delivery of personnel and supplies to various locations in the Atoll.
Marketing and Defense Consulting
• Responsible for all aspects of management and consulting in the areas of defense contracting, aviation, special operations, sales & marketing.
• Responsible for consulting and the management of company operations, to include fiscal affairs, contracting, legal affairs, operations, administrative affairs and quality control.
· Responsible for the development of all Army sales programs and sustaining contracts in the areas of armor, artillery, combat support, infantry, space & technology.
· Sales & Program Manager for all of GE’s special operations & Aviation Programs with the Army, Navy, Air Force & Marines.
· Responsible for nurturing current programs/contracts, pursuing new applications, technology opportunities and contracts for the 17 GE Aerospace divisions covering over 18 billion dollars worth of business.
· Prepared, presented, evaluated government bids and proposals.
· Responsible for the thorough working knowledge of the Pentagon, all military services, the acquisition process, current government contracts, regulations, major military programs, and the specifications of all of GE’s current contracts.
• Prepared/conducted meetings with high level military, officials from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), all services and other government agencies, such as the FBI, CIA, State Department, DEA, FAA, Congressional Armed Services and Appropriations Committees.
• Responsible for the development of domestic and international sales program for the Aircraft Weapons Systems Division of GE.
• Responsible for the management of the Research and Development budget, required the closed involvement with all four military services, government agencies, worldwide airframe manufactures and foreign militaries.
• Required presentations to large audiences, prepared/; conducted meetings with high level military, government officials and US Congress.
• Required detailed knowledge of foreign (NATO) and US military acquisition procedures, major military commands such as the OSD, all research and development commands, logistics and material systems commands.

	Lucy is a 2000 female Dobie who lost her owner to an early death, her family was about to put her into a kill shelter or put her down because of her age, one of the Dobie rescues stepped in and asked if we could take her so she could live out her life here. Sweet beautiful girl, we feel honored to have her here.
	Eve is a 1994 Australian shepherd that we found in the Randolph county shelter. She was put in there by her family and the rescues would not take her because she is so old, so they asked us to take her since they know how much we love the geriatric dogs. She is healthy and still pretty active, house trained and will stay right at your heels. I can't imagine anyone giving her up after so many years. She too will live out her years here at CSS, never to worry about not having a home or family again.
	Sheena, 2003 Female Boxer mix (rescue), Celeita was fostering Sheena for the Taylor County (TCHS) shelter until we realized Sheena needed a big farm to stretch her legs and grow up so she adopted her, she has been with us since 2005.
	Savannah, 1996 female Australian Stock Dog (rescue), Savannah was adopted from the Taylor County Shelter in 2004. She always loves to play with all the youngsters, she is the best natured dog. Love those ears!
	Cleo 2000 female Doberman (rescue), Celeita was at the Meryl Lunch Horse Grand Prix Show in 2001, Howard Lewis (AHSA Horseman of the Year for 1977) and Beth Large (now SWAP director), then the Manager for the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club for many years had set it up for SWAP to have a table at the show and he let all the SWAP folks stay in the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club housing for the week. Beth was fostering Cleo from the Lake Shore Dobie rescue, well Cleo was so sweet, well all fell in love with her and asked Beth if we could take her home. Beth even paid the adoption fee.
	Max, 2007 male Doberman, another rescue that was misunderstood and needed a new home, he landed here and is much loved, Max was pulled out of a Shelter by Maureen Lee, one of our horse adopters and he was having some problems in his home so we took him in, knowing he would be fine here. He came to us in September 2008 and we have totally fallen in love with him even though he takes special management, at least for now until we get him totally trained. we still have hopes of finding Max his forever home where he could be the center of someone's world instead of just another dog in the group. he certainly deserves that but he has some issues he needs to get past first.
	Cocoa, 2006 male Chocolate Lab, another rescue from Mason County Shelter as well, came to us also in 2007, he was so afraid of everyone that by the time we had him settled enough to trust anyone and to meet visitors, we were totally in love. Likes to swim and eat but not in that order. He is kind and smart but still has that lab chewing thing goin on, we constantly have to get him chew toys or he's eat rugs and pillows but we love him anyway, knowing he come grow out of those things as he grows up. He is one of the prettiest dogs, the pictures don't do him justice. We still have hopes of finding Cocoa his forever home where he could be the center of someone's world instead of just another dog in the group. he certainly deserves that.
	Harry, (our puppy babysitter), 1997 male shepherd/rotte mix (rescue), Harry came to us as a 5 week old puppy, covered in mange, this was back when SWAP was doing many more dog adoptions too and we had 40 dogs here so he had to be kept separate from all the other dogs on the farm. After 20 weeks of dipping in the barn, Harry's mange was gone but the Executor caught it (yes, people can get the mange), it took her months to get over it, much longer than it did for Harry. From the mange, Harry had his front leg development was messed up, they were weak, wobbly and developing wrong, probably cause all his nutrition was going to get rid of the mange. Our county vet gave him one shot of B-vitamins and his legs straightened out, it was like a miracle. He still laid back on his pads more but his legs were straight, Celeita kept him because she knew after all the problems he had had as a puppy he would have problems and arthritis as an elder, knowing no one would take care of him through that, he stayed at CSS as a not adoptable for his own good and has been here ever since.
	Mandy, (1997 - November 21st 2008) female Australian Shepherd (rescue), Mandy was adopted from the Taylor County Shelter in 2004, with Savannah. Mandy kept all the dogs in line, when they are getting too loud, she would go over and tell them to quiet down. She was getting older and slept a lot but still followed her mommy every where she could, she could no longer go to the barn because she could no longer hear and could barely see. To call her you'd have to have a pretty good whistle. She was the best dog, never got on furniture, never used the bathroom in the house until the very end when she basically lost all control of her bowels. We miss those big eyes of our sweet girl.
	Rastus, picked up on the road by our trainer, she had only 6 teeth, an enlarged heart and the vet said she was old as dirt, so she had regular trips to the vet and had been on meds since we found her but she had a good quality of life and ate good so we kept her going a long as we could, there was no way she was adoptable, she was in such poor shape when we found her. Poor Rastus died January 2008, the heart problems finally was more than she could handle. She was going down hill and Celeita had decided it was time to put her down, the vet was scheduled to come in and then called to delay the appointment and sadly Rastus died before the new appointment. Celeita had taken her to the vet every month for meds and to get her belly drained to keep her comfortable and probably gave her another 2 years of life she would not have gotten out on the street. We think of her daily and miss her dearly. We have her, Ike's and Gunny's ashes close by us all the time. Rest in peace sweet girl. We love you.
	Ike (the old man of the farm), 1993 male Dalmatian (August 1 1993 - 26 June 2008) rest in peace my friend, be looking for me at the Rainbow Bridge, click here to see Ike's picture video Celeita bought Ike and his sister Mamie out of the litter in 1993 from one of her military aviation crew members in the military. She gave Mamie to her sister Peggy where she had a wonderful life, Mamie went to the rainbow bridge one month after Ike.
	Gunny (Celeita's travel buddy), 1995 male border collie mix (rescue) 1995 - September 9th 2007, Rest in Peace sweet boy, I'll see you at the Rainbow Bridge. Gunny and his brother Sergeant Major were rescued from a lady giving away puppies at the Mall as they were on the way to the pound, they were about 6 weeks old. Celeita got Sergeant Major a great home and kept Gunny. He was the best dog anyone could ever want. He went with her to some of the nicest barns, was one of the few dogs that was allowed into race tracks, visited friends, went to horse events, he always stayed right on her heels, never needed a lead, he was the smartest most loyal friend anyone could ever want. I'm certain their will never be another like him.
	Post the Colors "PC", 1998 registered Spotted Saddle Horse gelding, born at Crossed Sabers, out of Delilah "Big D" and by Shady Lane Shikoka. He was a bad child, always getting into trouble but Over the last few years he has become a horse anyone can ride and enjoy, who will walk, trot and canter and do a lovely running walk. He still has a onery streak but Celeita knows its because he needs more of a job than she gives him since she is always working. PC and all of the executors horses are used in clinics, lessons, during educational retreats, to teach people how to drive, for visitations from schools and childrens programs, for testing interns and riders and helping them build their legs back up before putting them on adoption horses who have less training and for teaching employees and volunteers.
	Belle's Classic Rose "Big'N", 1998 registered Percheron mare has been with Celeita since she was a yearling, she was given to her from her mom who could no longer keep her. She was a big 1200 yearling and Celeita has the funniest story about the day she brought her home from Richmond, but its too long a story for here, ask her, its hilarious. Celeita promised Alice she would keep her forever and she has. Big'n too over time has become the horse that anyone can ride and enjoy. Like most horses, with good care, love, consistent work, discipline and love all horses will become the horse you want and need. The major job she has every day is she brings all the horses in from turn out, just one whistle or call and Big'n comes running. Big'n and all of the executors horses are used in clinics, lessons, during educational retreats, to teach people how to drive, for visitations from schools and children's programs, for testing interns and riders and helping them build their legs back up before putting them on adoption horses who have less training and for teaching employees and volunteers..
	Mad Dancer, 1996 registered standardbred mare (Celeita's race horse), by the famous race horse and Hall of Famer, Niatross. She's been here since she was a yearling, She was a gift to Celeita from the STU Equestrian Department Head Cecile Dunn when Celeita was a grad student there. and all of the executors horses are used in clinics, lessons, during educational retreats, to teach people how to drive, for visitations from schools and children's programs, for testing interns and riders and helping them build their legs back up before putting them on adoption horses who have less training. Dancer and all of the executors horses are used in clinics, lessons, during educational retreats, to teach people how to drive, for visitations from schools and childrens programs, for testing interns and riders and helping them build their legs back up before putting them on adoption horses who have less training and for teaching employees and volunteers..
	Debonair's BigDawg is by Armbro Debonair (below) and out of MAD Dancer (above), a Niatross mare. 2001 registered Standardbred gelding. Mad Dancer foaled here on the farm on 5/15/01 at 9pm, a 10 hand, 110 lb strapping colt. Niatross as his sire on the Dams side and Abercrombie is the Grand Sire on his top side.... two Hall of Fame Harness horses. PS. He is affectionately called "Big Dawg" around the barn. Big Dawg is under saddle and learning job and is now 16 plus hand grown man. Hopes to race him were put aside because of the program struggling financially. He has his dads looks and his mom's wonderful build, dapples and sensitivity, he is a great friend and becoming a better riding horse every day. Big Dawg and all of the executors horses are used in clinics, lessons, during educational retreats, to teach people how to drive, for visitations from schools and childrens programs, for testing interns and riders and helping them build their legs back up before putting them on adoption horses who have less training and for teaching employees and volunteers.
	Mel's Too, aka "Poochey", is a 1998 standardbred gelding, son of our own Armbro Debonair (below) donated by Marie Sager, the same owner that owned and raced Debonair. When he came into the program, the executor saw that he had Debonairs eyes and face that she missed so much and knew this boy had to stay with us at Crossed Sabers Stable. He is all boy and full of himself, confident and nice on the eyes. He and Big'N are quite the item, they spend all their time together in turn out. He is a lovely addition and a wonderful memory of his dad, with a fun and exciting twist. He's turned into a nice riding horse and of course, he is a professional at driving. Its like a wonderful dream to see two of Debonairs sons in the barn every day, the only thing that could be better is seeing Debonair beside them. Poochey and all of the executors horses are used in clinics, lessons, during educational retreats, to teach people how to drive, for visitations from schools and childrens programs, for testing interns and riders and helping them build their legs back up before putting them on adoption horses who have less training and for teaching employees and volunteers.
	Armbro Debonair (April 1982 - December 23, 2005) Rest in Peace Sweet Boy (Abercrombie x Willow Bret by Meadow Skipper) Debonair was 23 years old in these pictures just goes to show what really good care will do for a horse. Debonair was a companion horse who came to us with severe ringbone after 10 years of racing, not rideable at all but he lived the good life here, the life due every horse when they can no longer work or have a job and we felt honored to have that privilege. Debonair was a Standardbred stallion by the Hall of Fame Racehorse, Abercrombie. Debonair won $358,225.00 on the harness racing track, with a lifetime mark of 1.55.1 at a mile on a 5/8^th track (5/25/86, race 8 at the Windsor Raceway, Ontario). He raced at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, Freestate Raceway in Maryland, Mohawk in Ontario, Canada, Windsor in Ontario, Greenwood in Ontario, Flamboro in Ontario, Cantorbury Downs in Manitoba, Yonkers Raceway in New York, Freehold in New Jersey, and Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania. He won his first race in June of 1985 and won his last race in October of 1995, a full 10 years of racing, 385 races in all. His breeders were Armstrong Brothers of Inglewood, Ontario and he foaled in Lexington, KY on April 19^th, 1982. Debonair had the big corner office in barn and greeted all the stable visitors at Crossed Sabers Stable and The Second Wind Adoption Program as they come in. Believe it or not, Debonair was an adoption horse donated in 1998 by Marie Sager of Bordontown, NJ after her husband, Edward, a harness racing trainer died. After years of racing, Celeita knew she could keep him safe and give him the retirement deserving a champion so she adopted him, mostly because no one wanted him, he was unadoptable because of the ringbone. He was the old man of the farm (though someone forgot to tell him that) and because of his severe ringbone, he was the most beautiful "ornament" at Crossed Sabers Stable. Even today when Celeita mets Harness racing people, regardless of their location and mentions her boy Debonair, everyone knew him and remembers seeing him race. Marie Sager and Celeita still share pictures and stories of Debonair and his sons. Debonair was a kind and feisty soul who loved his daily romps in the pasture, carrots, kids, all the mares that would come and go at SWAP, especially the grand dam, Daisy Mae and he loved to play chase with his mommy. Of course, the job he really wanted was to breed all the mares in the program..... but we don't always get what we wish for. He is buried in the corner of the pasture so he could be near the people and the horses who loved him. He is missed every day.