Each of our Orange County Rescue Mission campuses offer unique opportunities for homeless individuals on their journey to healing and restoration. At Double R Ranch, our working horse and livestock ranch, homeless men have the opportunity to grow in discipline, self-esteem, a strong work ethic, and a life-changing faith in Jesus Christ. Each man on the ranch has come from a different walk of life that has resulted in homelessness and often a deep sense of brokenness. As they work side by side in the outdoors, they learn to encourage each other on this journey to become stronger individuals.
A big responsibility for each student at the Double R Ranch is tending to the horses. Earlier this year, two of our students attended the 2020 Southern California Half Arabian Horse Show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. This is an “A” circuit competition. Roxsana, our 10-month-old half Arabian, half Holsteiner filly, was shown in hand by the men.
Roxsana, with the handling of the men from the Ranch, won both Region 1 and 2 classes and ended up 8th out of 66 rounds! This was an amazing accomplishment for a 10-month-old filly and two men who not long before were homeless!
We are proud of Roxsana for her big wins, and we are even more proud of the two men who diligently worked together to feed, clean, and prepare Roxsana for this competition.
These unique opportunities create the life lessons at the ranch that the men take with them as they continue in their journey towards self-sufficiency. David, a former student at the Ranch, took his training with horses to the next level, and he became certified in equestrian skills and is now working in this field!
Roxsana, now 14 months old, is currently for sale! All inquiries can be directed to Denise Nelson-Finster at dntsusa@aol.com.
