Page 8 - Dinuba Sentinel 7-12-18

A8 | Thursday, July 12, 2018 Back Page Rocking out on the Fourth of July
Ranch
The Dinuba Sentinel
Continued from Page A1
The rock band Three and the Machine was the live entertaiment at the city of Dinuba's Fourth of July Fireworks Show last Tuesday. The band played a mix of rock, classic rock and current pop music.
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
lighter perspective. Kindergartners through third
graders from Golden Valley and Palm Elementary Schools got the opportunity to visit the ranch last week and were treated to a magician, an inflatable water slide and, of course, horse and pony rides.
“We’re working with the school district,” said Alvarez. “They’re really supportive of what we’re doing. They like what we do, especially since it’s so close to home.”
According to Alvarez, Tulare County has also showed interest in bringing in disabled and mental health students as well to use it as part of their therapy.
All the horses on the ranch were donated to the organization. Two of the horses on the ranch were trail riding horse that belonged to an elderly couple in the area. But when the husband passed away the wife approached Alvarez.
Said Alvarez, “She said, ‘I don’t want to ride anymore, but I want my horses to go to a good home and be able to do something for the community’.”
Another horse that was donated to Mending Fences was Clint. If you’ve ever been out to the Clovis Rodeo, you may have seen Clint. Every year at the Clovis Rodeo Parade, Clint can be seen leading the way with the American Flag. And every year
Clint’s owner picks up him up so he can continue to participate in the annual event.
“He’s such a good horse,” said Alvarez of Clint. “He loves to be around kids.”
The ranch actually belongs to Alan and Phyllis Borba. Phyllis is the daughter of Harry Davidian.
When Alvarez approached the Borba’s, who are both former educators, about the starting the ranch the two immediately fell in love with the idea.
“He said, ‘If it’s for the community I’m all in. Do what you want’,” said Alvarez.
With that the ranch was constructed, with the help of students from the Cutler- Orosi area, on the large piece of land just west of Orosi. The organization was able to build two large horse stalls and a covered patio area through two annual fundraisers, a dinner- dance and golf tournament.
In addition to operating the ranch, the organization also gives back to the community, like Easter baskets that they give out to the community during Easter. During the holidays the organization also provides meals and Christmas gifts for over 100 less-fortunate families.
“This whole place was built by the community,” said Alvarez. “Built by the community for the community.”
Daniela Vasquez of Palm Elementary School reacts to a magic trick by Jonathan the Great during a field trip to the Mending Fences and Changing Minds horse ranch last Tuesday.
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel