A NOTE FROM ASHLEY
Stretch in a 13 year old flea bitten grey registered Egyptian Sired Arabian. He has a long white blaze extending down his nose. He is graced with a long mane and forelock. Equipped with two front shoes with clips. On February 28, 2018, Stretch was fed his morning grain as I left for my 12 hour shift as a Paramedic. When I returned that evening around 8 P.M., I noticed that he was not trotting along the fence line to greet me. After a quick sweep of the pasture, it was noted that a fence line had been stretched out, and Stretch was nowhere to be found. I can only assume that he was spooked and ran through the electrified fence out of fear. We have had a search team since that night looking for him on foot, four wheelers, and vehicles parading the area. There have been no sightings of him reported to the dispatch center of Rowan or surrounding counties. I purchased Stretch in 2009 as a high school graduation present to myself. I was recently introduced to the Endurance circuit the year prior. As I quickly fell in love with the sport, I knew that I wanted to have my own partner that I could compete with. While on my search for an Arabian, I was sent to a barn in South Carolina that specialized in Arabian breeding. The owners showed me around the property and introduced me to several horses. Once we entered the barn, my eyes were automatically drawn to the little grey arab with the messy forelock covering his big brown eyes. I asked the owner if I could see him. Her response was “he isn’t exactly for sale, but I will let you see him.” After laying my eyes on him, I knew that he was the one. He was full of such spunky personality. After much discussion, the owner of the barn finally agreed to sell him to me, knowing my hopes and dreams for this horse. When purchased Stretch was a five year old stallion that was intended to be used for strictly a breeding program. After much hard work, I started him under saddle and we competed in our first Limited Distance Endurance ride the next year. He was a natural and absolutely loved the sport. In our first ride, he placed top ten in “Best Conditioned”. We went on to compete in many more Endurance rides over the past years. Stretch has such a willing heart, he has allowed me to introduce him to hunter/jumper, leisurely trail riding, and even team sorting cattle. I have formed a very special bond with this horse. I recently bought property in Rockwell, NC so that I could finally bring my horse home. I have paid board on a horse for the past 19 years. I am devastated to be missing this piece of my heart!