Texas Cowboy and His Horse Stop In for Lunch at Vienna Inn

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If you were driving down Maple Avenue on Tuesday you may have done a double take when you passed the Vienna Inn. Yes, that was a horse “parked” right out front.

The horse, Angel, belongs to Leslie Fender, a true cowboy from Stephenville, Texas, “Cowboy Capital of the World.”

Fender, a Marine Corps veteran, says he suffered a stroke in 2004 and was paralyzed on his right side for six months. His doctor was able to perform surgery and the National Stroke Association covered the expense, he told folks at the Vienna Inn.

Once Fender recovered, he wanted to give back to the people who saved his life. He and Angel have spent the last three years riding across the country to raise funds for the National Stroke Association and American Stroke Association. To date, they have raised $750,000 toward their goal of $1 million, according to a news release from Vienna Inn.

Fender and Angel were making their way Tuesday from Arlington to the Manassas National Battlefield when they decided to take a break in Vienna. Fender had heard good things about the Vienna Inn from people along the path and decided to check it out.

While enjoying a chili dog, he shared his story with Vienna diners at the Inn. “We were honored to have Leslie Fender stop in for a World Famous Chili Dog,” said Marty Volk, owner of Vienna Inn.

PHOTOS courtesy of the Vienna Inn