Pass Area Gymkhana Returns To Far-From-Perfect Mustang Rescue

BANNING, CA — For $25 an hour, you can learn how to ride horses and support the Pass Area's Far-From-Perfect Mustang Rescue. The Cherry Valley-based nonprofit horse ranch has a mission to rescue, rehabilitate, retrain and re-home mustangs and other horses in need.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 5, the rescue will present its first show of the 2022 Gymkhana season at its home arena, 43091 Bob Cat Road in Banning.

Far-From-Perfect Mustang Rescue's spokesperson Annette Sappingfield talked with Patch about the upcoming show that will help fund operations into the spring of 2022, as well as the students and volunteers who make the ranch a success.

What Is Gymkhana?

Gymkhana is an equestrian event of speed pattern racing and timed games for riders and their mounts, and it's a side hobby of many Far-From-Perfect volunteers.

"We would take our personal horses and compete in gymkhanas in our area," Sappingfield said. As students and families learned of what was possible, hosting a home event was a natural for the rescue.

This weekend's gymkhana show marks the ranch's third year of holding the event. The rescue selects students to compete alongside riders from outside the organization.

"They come to have fun or improve their times," Sappingfield said.

As the students grow comfortable on horseback, more are invited to participate.

"The students fell in love with the gymkhana as something to strive for during lessons," Sappingfield continued.

Fundraising and community outreach are ongoing at the rescue, and the regular gymkhanas are a natural fundraiser.

The rescue offers local equestrians the opportunity to participate competitively with their horses, plus young students see what is possible with developing their love of equines.

"Besides a lesson here or there, this is a really good way for students to help support the program," Sappingfield said.

The group splits gymkhana entry fees and merchandise sold between the rescue and shows.

"Half of the funds go toward materials and equipment for future shows and the other half toward the rescue for items such as feed, medical supplies, and other necessities for the horses in our care," Sappingfield said.

Horses will also be showcased over the weekend for potential adopters.

According to Sappingfield, it isn't just the equines that are "far from perfect."

"We don't pretend to have all the answers or solutions. We make mistakes. We're human," she said. "But at the end of the day, everything we do is in the best interest of the horses and people we try to help. We don't have fancy trucks or equipment, but we make do with the things given to us and are grateful that we get to do what we love every day. You'll see #lovewhatwedohere on almost all of our social media posts because bottom line, we absolutely love what we do and this show is definitely part of that."

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