The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals on River Road in Windham will hold its first Maine Horse Jubilee on Sunday, April 26, in an effort to win a $10,000 prize from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

On April 26, 1866, Henry Bergh, the founder of the ASPCA, successfully convinced police to arrest a cart driver for beating his horse – the first arrest for horse abuse in American history. Since 2013, the national association has held “Help a Horse Day,” a celebration and contest meant to recognize equine organizations across the country.

The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals had not previously participated in the national event. This year, the ASPCA will distribute a series of prizes to organizations that hold top-judged events. The Maine Horse Jubilee, which will be held from 1-3 p.m. at 279 River Road, represents the association’s entry in the contest.

According to Jacque Shultz, ASPCA’s Community Initiatives Department senior director, 110 groups from 33 states are registered to participate in the contest. The association will distribute three $10,000 prizes and four $5,000 prizes. Participants will be judged based on a set of criteria including attendance, promotional and fundraising success, and the quality of a short essay submission.

Meris Bickford, the chief executive officer of the Windham facility, said the jubilee will feature a variety of events. Horse trainer Deb Little will provide a demonstration, and there will be horse petting and arts and crafts for children.

“We want people to come in and see what we’re doing and meet the horses and help celebrate Help a Horse Day, and if they can help us win $10,000 that would be pretty awesome, too,” Bickford said.

The society will also be accepting name submissions for its horse mascot costume, which has been nameless to date.

“It’s a real horse costume; it just hasn’t had a name yet,” Bickford said.

Helen Peppe, a nationally recognized writer and photographer, will also give two presentations on how to photograph horses. Peppe, who began photographing horses 25 years ago, will discuss how horse handlers interfere with shots and how to capture “the horse being a horse” in an emotionally satisfying way. Peppe said she prefers photographing horses over any other animal.

“I do all animals but I really concentrate on horses,” she said.

Bickford, who describes Peppe as “quite extraordinary,” said she is excited for the inaugural Maine Horse Jubilee.

“Is there a downside, where the public comes to see our beautiful facility, meets our horses, looks at some of the cool things that we’ll have going on? Of course not. There’s no downside to it at all,” Bickford said. “Even if we don’t win the money, we’ll certainly have a very positive, productive event, I’m sure. But we’re doing it specifically because we’d like to win some money.”

Volunteers, from left, Maria Hall, Taylor Duncanson, Beth Atherton, Jeff Greenleaf and Deb Little walk with Oliver, a Tennessee Walking Horse, at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals on 279 River Road in Windham. The horse rescue center will hold the Maine Horse Jubilee on Sunday, April 26, from 1-3 p.m. Staff photo by Ezra Silk

Copy the Story Link