UPDATE: I am leaving this post as a featured post at the top of my blog for a couple of weeks. Feel free to leave comments for Dave Rabe. Please click below to expand this post to read information on how you can help Dave. Please know that everybody chipping in to help will really make a difference for Dave. Thank you!
The trip down to Cuyama this year was not a good one. It was quite tragic for Dave. Here is a newspaper report on what happened. Fortunately, Dave was not hurt and nobody else was involved in the accident. His friends have set up an accident assistance fund for him and the information is below. If you know Dave or know somebody that is a friend please pass this along to them. Dave of course, does not know that we have done this and he would never ask for help. He is always helping everybody else, so this is a small way for us to help out when he needs it the most. He has suffered a terrible loss in so many ways. Thank you Cuyama riders for the donations you made at the ride.
Bank of America, Raley's branch
Here is a photo of Dave on Thunder, from the Eastern Mojave Scenic endurance ride last month. Thunder did not survive his injuries from last weeks accident. He was coming along so well and was well on his way to being a great endurance horse. He had a super nice and friendly personality that everybody loved.
Hi Dave,
Peaceful thoughts and well wishes are sent your way. I hope you can find peace and love to assist you in healing from this terrible trauma.
As a member of our small community, I feel your loss and sincerely hope for a better tomorrow.
Respectfully,
Amy
Posted by: Amy Cieri | March 28, 2008 at 06:57 AM
So sorry to hear about Dave's accident and the loss of his horse. There just aren't enough words to help you feel better in this difficult time. Our prayers are with you Dave and best wishes for better times. Karen and Andi
Posted by: Karen Bumgarner | March 28, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Dave- Our hearts go out to you on the loss of Thunder. We are glad you were not injured and we are thinking of you.
- Heidi & Patrick Helly
Posted by: Heidi Helly | March 29, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Dave,
I am so very sorry to hear about your accident and the loss of Thunder. I can't imagine how you feel nor the nightmares you must have. All of your endurance family cares, though. Thoughts and prayers, Cindy and Keith Collins
Posted by: Cindy Collins | March 30, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Hey Dave - So sorry to hear about your accident and I'm relieved you made it out ok. That must have been positively terrifying. Real sorry about Thunder too. My thoughts are with you and I hope you can get out on the trail again soon.
Christina
Posted by: Christina Bowie | March 30, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Hey Dave - hope things are coming back to normal for you. We are just so sorry this happened. Meanwhile, we have tack and stuff we aren't using, so if there is anything you can use, for as long as you need, let me know and I'll look through my tack room. We can send it or bring it to Lost Padres. And I'm sure I'm not the only one with an overstuffed tack room, so if you want, give Karen a list to post.
Hope to see you soon.
/debbie boscoe
Posted by: Debbie Boscoe | March 30, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Dave,
I only know you through the wonderful words of your friends and ride companions. I wish there were words to comfort you, but unfortunately most words fall flat when dealing with the stress and loss that you are going through now. My hopes and prayers are with you. I can't wait to meet you in person and hear all your stories about Thunder and see you doing what you love, riding on the trail.
Sherri
Posted by: Sherri Davis | March 30, 2008 at 09:47 PM
Dave,
Miss you and my thoughts are with you as you fight to recover from this terrible accident. Look forward to seeing you in future at a ride.
LuAnne
Posted by: LuAnne Holmsen | March 31, 2008 at 08:00 AM
Dave,
After hearing about you for so many years, was not a surprise to see how helpful you are to everyone at Bryce. Great horses are never Forgotten ~
Posted by: Connie Hoge | March 31, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Dave,
I'm so sorry to read of your accident and loss of Thunder. I hope you will let us know what you need to help you through this.
Heidi
Posted by: Heidi Vanderbilt | March 31, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Dave, just heard about your accident. So sorry you lost Thunder. ((HUGS))
Teresa
Posted by: Teresa Van Hove | March 31, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Hi Dave: We are sharing your pain through this awful ordeal. Sudden accidents taking our beloved horses from us is very painful. Heather, Art's and my prayers are with you! Love, Carolyn Johnson
Posted by: Carolyn Johnson | March 31, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Dave, you hosebag!
Best thoughts are with you......
Hope you are back on the trail soon.
Love, Michele
Posted by: Michele Roush | March 31, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Hello Dave,
You've always been an example of what an endurance rider should be to me. I hope you are able to power through this tragedy with the hope that, that which does not kill us will make us stronger. I've had to rely on that belief more than once in my life.
Best Wishes,
Darlene Anderson
NW region
Posted by: Darlene Anderson | March 31, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Words can not express what I have been feeling for you, and the horses through all of this. Just know, you have been in my thoughts and prayers Dave.
Jonni
Posted by: Jonni | March 31, 2008 at 09:52 PM
Oh Dave, my heart goes out to you. I feel so badly for you. I know things will start to look brighter soon. I guess God needed Thunder to come back home . Must have a bigger plan for him. Glad to hear that your other horse is doing well.
I hope that you are doing well & feeling better.
Soon this will all be just a dreary memory as you trot on down the trail again. Good luck to you, heal well & fast. We are all pulling for you.
Hugnya with Love
Gesa
Posted by: Gesa Brinks | March 31, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Hi Dave,
My thoughts have been with you ever since I heard about the accident. I hope to meet you out on the trail one day soon (sans pants of course) :)
Julienne
Posted by: Julienne | April 01, 2008 at 07:35 AM
Dave,
Gosh; what a horrible ordeal and tragedy to experience. So sorry to hear about your rising star, Thunder. My thoughts are with you as you move on. Hang in there, there are better days ahead. Looking forward to sharing your company again on the trail soon. Like many others who have posted here, you are a true inspiration to me, and a hero for the sport of endurance riding. Take care and love,
Teru
Posted by: Teru | April 01, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Dave sorry to hear about your loss.
Dovie
Posted by: Dovie pickering | April 01, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Dave,
There are no words that can express how we all feel. Our thoughts are with you....and hope to see you soon.
Mari Ural
Posted by: Mari Ural | April 01, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Dave,
I am so sorry to hear about your accident. We so missed you at Cuyama. Our thoughts are with you ...
Lynette Hulbert
Posted by: Lynette Hulbert | April 01, 2008 at 03:02 PM
Dave,
The sudden loss of a beloved equine companion is a terrible thing, and our heart goes out to you. May the spirit of Thunder resound through the heavens and the hills. We send healing thoughts and prayers your way, and trust we will see you back on the trail very soon!
Blessings,
Bobbie & Karl
Posted by: Bobbie Jo Lieberman | April 01, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Dave, my heart aches for you. I rode behind you for a while at the first day of Death Valley this year, and fell in love with your beautiful Thunder. An awesome, beautiful horse. I know you will miss him. So will I, for I had anticipated seeing him many times on the trail.
Sending you my best wishes, I know you'll get through this tough time -- you have lots of friends out here, even ones you don't know, like me... thinking of you, guy, see ya' on the trail.
Carla
Posted by: Carla Richardson | April 01, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Dave. Our thoughts are with you. YOU ARE THE BEST.
Dick & Carolyn Dawson
Posted by: Dick & Carolyn Dawson | April 01, 2008 at 06:07 PM
Dave,
Sorry to hear about your accident. Wish there was something that would make things better but there isn't except time and lots of it. Thinking of you. Wanda Myers
Posted by: Wanda Myers | April 02, 2008 at 09:22 AM