Oregon Rescue Challenge (ORC) is an all volunteer 501c3 public charity with the mission of “Bringing together Oregon equine rescues in support of ”At-Risk” horses”. We set out to create a supportive network of equine rescues by hosting a statewide event that included “Rescue Roundtable”, a collaborative work group created to openly discuss issues facing the rescue community. By doing so, it was our intention to help heighten the value of rescue horses, increase adoptions and strengthen the rescue community through our collaborative efforts.
We had seen these goals come to fruition during the 2017 and 2018 events* and were planning on the addition of more Oregon rescues and expanded sponsorship in 2019. Oregon Rescue Challenge 2019 was on a trajectory to become a premier Northwest trainer challenge event and rescue equine horse exhibition.
Unfortunately, the ORC was recently blindsided by a negative social media campaign that concerned a participating trainer. To note, the concern was over a 2007 incident that occurred before the individual was a horse trainer. Additionally, since becoming a horse trainer, this individual had participated in other Oregon equine rescue events prior to participation in the Oregon Rescue Challenge.
A brief description of events is below:
The ORC Board had hoped that the rescues who disagreed with decisions made by the board would have given ORC representatives an opportunity to have a group dialogue, such as a conference call, prior to posting negative rhetoric online. Instead, the ORC was not given an opportunity to respond to concerns before the intimidation, false statements and cyber bullying tactics ensued.
It appears this issue has caused some loss of focus on the true, collective goal of helping horses find homes. The motivation of the attack suggests intimidation and to garner higher rates of participation in a competing event.
These actions have harmed our ability to gain financial momentum, resulting in the decision to cancel the 2019 event. Sadly, this has caused significant financial and emotional distress to the rescues, trainers, venue, donors, sponsors, adopters, vendors, friends, family, volunteers and others who were planning on contributing and participating - not to mention the horses left behind that were to be trained for this event and find homes!
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK!
The organizers of the ORC thank those of you who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us through this very trying time. You see the big picture and understand the positive impact an event like Oregon Rescue Challenge has had.
We wish all our supporters the best of success and encourage those fighting the good fight to keep their heads up and continue their wonderful work in support of Oregon’s rescued horses.
With Gratitude,
Oregon Rescue Challenge
* Oregon Rescue Challenge Success: Since its inception, Oregon Rescue Challenge has showcased the talents of forty rescued horses and their trainers to a multitude of spectators and adopters statewide.
ORC 2018 reached record numbers of people:
We had seen these goals come to fruition during the 2017 and 2018 events* and were planning on the addition of more Oregon rescues and expanded sponsorship in 2019. Oregon Rescue Challenge 2019 was on a trajectory to become a premier Northwest trainer challenge event and rescue equine horse exhibition.
Unfortunately, the ORC was recently blindsided by a negative social media campaign that concerned a participating trainer. To note, the concern was over a 2007 incident that occurred before the individual was a horse trainer. Additionally, since becoming a horse trainer, this individual had participated in other Oregon equine rescue events prior to participation in the Oregon Rescue Challenge.
A brief description of events is below:
- During the first few weeks in January, a smear campaign began from a sub-group of Oregon rescues, targeting the ORC Board of Directors (BOD) as unethical. The board responded with a letter of dismay at the social media attack.
- Late in the evening on Saturday, January 19, 2019, the ORC BOD received a response from some 2019 ORC participating rescues, requesting certain conditions be met or they would withdraw from the competition. The letter included a response deadline of Monday, January 21, 2019.
- While the ORC Board gathered input over the MLK holiday weekend and responded as requested in good faith, further official communication has not yet been received.
- Unfortunately, during the elapsed time from the 19th-21st, while the ORC Board was working to meet on a resolution of the concern, a targeted social media smear campaign would reach a fevered pitch.
The ORC Board had hoped that the rescues who disagreed with decisions made by the board would have given ORC representatives an opportunity to have a group dialogue, such as a conference call, prior to posting negative rhetoric online. Instead, the ORC was not given an opportunity to respond to concerns before the intimidation, false statements and cyber bullying tactics ensued.
It appears this issue has caused some loss of focus on the true, collective goal of helping horses find homes. The motivation of the attack suggests intimidation and to garner higher rates of participation in a competing event.
These actions have harmed our ability to gain financial momentum, resulting in the decision to cancel the 2019 event. Sadly, this has caused significant financial and emotional distress to the rescues, trainers, venue, donors, sponsors, adopters, vendors, friends, family, volunteers and others who were planning on contributing and participating - not to mention the horses left behind that were to be trained for this event and find homes!
THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK!
The organizers of the ORC thank those of you who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us through this very trying time. You see the big picture and understand the positive impact an event like Oregon Rescue Challenge has had.
We wish all our supporters the best of success and encourage those fighting the good fight to keep their heads up and continue their wonderful work in support of Oregon’s rescued horses.
With Gratitude,
Oregon Rescue Challenge
* Oregon Rescue Challenge Success: Since its inception, Oregon Rescue Challenge has showcased the talents of forty rescued horses and their trainers to a multitude of spectators and adopters statewide.
ORC 2018 reached record numbers of people:
- Over 53,000 reached via Facebook; 50,320 engagements (clicks, likes, shares); 37,685 views of event website
- Over 600 spectators attended the event held at the Rim Rock Riders Event Center
- According to the AQHA event formula it is estimated the economic impact of ORC 2018 was over $107,000
- Featured on three separate occasions on Central Oregon Daily
- Appeared in articles in multiple local papers from Eugene to Sisters and surrounding areas
- Featured on KTVZ evening news multiple times; significant presence on local radio
