Pleasants Valley Riding Arena

Nancy found some LTE and posted a LIVE today. If Facebook allowed the sharing I would post it here ...I'll keep trying! But rest assured everyone is safe. They have power (generators), water and food. Ranch staff is getting access but only with permits. The roads are not open so access in and out is limited. They are hopeful to get more cell service out there soon as well as more freedoms to come and go. Nancy will be headed to town tomorrow for a bit so the littles can get on WiFi for school. The video shows just how protected the structures of the ranch are and shocking blackened hills all around them. But they are all OK!

Nancy was able to access some service today and posted this: Hi all thank you so much for all the prayers!!! The ranch, all animals and people were saved from the fire! We only lost a couple pieces of equipment, fence, and the well head. The well head has been fixed and we have water again! . Out generators are working so the ranch has electricity. We still have no WiFi and no LTE or even much cell service. Most towers were burned in the fire. I was able to get out... today to get some stuff and update people. My husband has always been my hero and even more so now. He did an amazing job keeping us all safe. He was calm and directed us all in what to do. Our family pulled together and worked hard. Plus some of our amazing employees were there worked hard and fought with us. I can’t thank them enough! A guy we don’t even know came and helped after he was unable to get to where he was going to help. Most importantly we THANK GOD for showing up when we needed him most. Like my video said he was very much there! With that being said my heart is absolutely broken for the many who lost so much so much devastation. If we can help anyone please let us know we will do all we can. We are limited on being about to go to and from our ranch. We are watching it closely as hot spots continue to pop up and tire to reignite. Again thank you for all who have came, helped and prayed! We love you and appreciate you all. So many still need prayers so please keep them coming. I will update as I can. See more

I am aware many are looking for updates and here is what I know (posting from offsite): -Pleasants Valley Riding Arena and all of its primary structures and homes were spared. -All animals that remained on the property during the event survived.... -All humans are fine...there was one treatment for smoke inhalation but he was released same day. -Phones and WiFi (and presumably power) remain down so communication is very limited. Makayla was camping at the time of the fire and has not yet been allowed back to the property due to road closures/downed power lines and all things that can be expected to require repair to allow safe passage. The PVRA family remains hard at work to care for all the animals as well as cleaning up the aftermath. As mentioned before, hearts and prayers go out to all the other people impacted by this that were not so lucky. Many of our friends and neighbors did not fare nearly as well as we did. Thank you to all the first responders who answered the call! As soon as I have more info we will share it. Be Kind. Stay safe. Be Well.

Many of you have sent prayers and asked for updates. As of the last word from the ranch, all people, animals and homes were safe. The amazing PVRA family (owners, employees, neighbors, etc) worked throughout the night to make it possible to share this news. As soon as they have some connectivity (and sleep), we will surely see another update. Thank you for all your prayers and our hearts go out to our neighbors who weren't so lucky.

****Arena Closed Friday**** 3/13/2020 from 4-8p

*****Arena Closed******* 3/13/20 4-8p

RUSTY MILLIKEN- TRAINER BIO Warm Springs Blackberry Belle was purchased at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity and is now in training with Rusty Milliken of Pleasants... Valley RIding Arena. They are planning to show at the 2020 Wild Spayed Filly Futurity in Reno, Nevada next year. If you would like to learn more about the competition and the events, click https://protecttheharvest.com/i/wild-spayed-filly-futurity/ Growing up in Ohio, Rusty was more familiar with Belgian draft horses than Quarter horses or mustangs. He had a team he would use for hay rides, hauling and occasionally, showing... bareback with a driving bridle on. He used to coax the stud over with a bucket of grain, then flip the bucket over, and hop on bareback. He admired their work ethic and gentle natures. When he was in his early teens he got involved with a program where, in exchange for feeding through the winter, a Quarter horse was yours for the entire winter, however that only lasted one year. As Rusty explains They wanted their horses walked sedately around, and well, I rode around on that horse everywhere. When he was about fourteen years old, Rusty had his first real riding lesson, and learned on the first lesson something that has stuck with him: There’s a difference between riding a horse and going for a ride. Rusty’s mom, Joetta Griffin got into quarter horses at this time too. After his first child was born when he was 21, Rusty moved out to Vacaville, California, where he is partner and ranch manager of Pleasants Valley Riding Arena with Joetta. Rusty wanted to be close to his child while she was growing up and with working six days a week in other states, he knew he had to make the move. In his early twenties Rusty began doing some competing, but realized he loved training more when he began training horses for his children. Rusty continues training about 50 of his family’s horses, as well as outside client horses. He teaches lessons on Sundays as well. He explains that he loves teaching the kids best because they are like sponges; they listen and do as they’re asked instead of overthinking everything the way adults do. Many of the horses he trains are considered problem horses, but he finds they usually have been rushed and need to relearn the basics. Rusty and his family compete in ranch sorting and he does a lot of cow work in his training program. He finds that he is influenced by people who have good advice and make sense, while shying away from those who say there’s only one right way or that their way is better than others. Pleasants Valley Riding Arena is a close group so in September, a group of them traveled to Reno for the Wild Spayed Filly Futurity as their other onsite trainer, Ann Simon, was riding her 2019 WSFF, and they wanted to show her support. While watching the event, Rusty got more interested, realizing that this was something he could do, and was encouraged by his friends. He also is a self professed mare man, loving the fire, willingness, intelligence and try of the mares he’s worked with. He liked the way Warm Springs Blackberry Belle looked-- her blocky little Quarter horse type body and flat smooth movementso he bid on her. He says she’s a smart little girl- she only takes a couple minutes to figure out what is being asked of her, and then doesn’t forget it. His plan, at this point, is to sell her on, however, he did say his son was in love with her and wants her for his own.

When riding on the trails, please be mindful of our high danger and rattle .When riding on the trails, please be mindful of our high danger and rattle .

The heat is on! As a reminder, our water is non-potable throughout the property EXCEPT in the restroom sinks. Stay safe out there!The heat is on! As a reminder, our water is non-potable throughout the property EXCEPT in the restroom sinks. Stay safe out there!

Please watch for snakes throughout the property! Not all rattlers actually rattle!

It’s been a long day being the star of the show

And baby #2 is here

He’s here!!! Happy Easter!!!