Inspiration from Ashes . . .

By: Ve DeCluette

On Monday, May 18, 2009, just before 6 AM a fire ravaged the Circle L 5 Riding Club barn located in Fort Worth, Texas, and left heartbreak in its wake. The Fort Worth Fire Department put the fire out quickly, but even their quick action and efforts could not save all of the horses. When the smoke settled, the remains of six beloved horses laid among the ashes. In addition to the six horses that perished in the fire another horse with extensive wounds had to be put down on site, and still another was released to the Humane Society of North Texas for treatment of her wounds. By Monday’s end club members, with help from Red Oak Water Supply Company, Charles Lawhon of C&S Trailer World and the Humane Society of North Texas, had cleared away much of the debris and buried their loved ones. All that is left for this historic organization to do is to rebuild, and rebuild they will.

Circle L 5 is the oldest African American riding club in the state of Texas. Founded in 1951 by Mr. Edward “Pop” Landers, the club has called the barn located in the 6000 block of Wilbarger Street home for well over 30 years. In its fifty eight year history the riding club has been a staple in the community, participating in community parades, rodeos across the country, and other various community events. Boasting a roster of members more than 80 strong Circle L 5 is a strong organization, but even the strongest of organizations would find it hard to recover from a catastrophe such as the one that took place on Monday.

Tony Coleman suffered the greatest loss at the end of the day. He lost not one, but four horses to the fire along with all of his tack, supplies, hay and feed. Big Daddy, Sexy, Pro Start and Cadillac were all trapped in their stalls as the flames engulfed the barn. As he walked through the charred remains of the barn Mr. Coleman remarked, “It’s like losing your whole family just laying there looking at you. That’s what it feels like.”

Club members Melvin Maxey and Terrence Silas also lost horses to the fire. Mr. Maxey lost two horses including L-2, who he raised from a colt to serve as a mount for the riding club’s drill team. “It’s just like losing a brother or sister out of my family,” he said. Mr. Silas was obviously heartbroken when he spoke of Tess, his 16 year old mare who had to be put down on site due to severe burns.

Out of the loss and devastation that the Monday morning blaze wrought, there were some rays of hope. 35 horses were saved from a fiery death, and Freckles, a horse burned over 20-30% of her body in the fire, was surrendered to the Humane Society of North Texas for treatment. Her prognosis, at the time of this article, is guarded but she is showing the will to live and that is a ray of hope that you simply can not ignore. The riding club hopes to take inspiration from Freckles will, so that they too can recover. The riding club has lost members of its family, and they have lost a large part of their barn, but suffering loss is not the same as being lost. Club member Willie Collins summed it up well when he said, “We will recover from this ordeal. The club will survive this test and soldier on, and in the end we will find ourselves stronger in our dedication to our horses, our family and our community.”

Circle L 5 is asking for support from the community, friends and its extended equine family, in order to rebuild their barn and to help members replace their beloved mounts. The website www.CircleL5RidingClub.homestead.com has been set up in order to make it easier for individuals to help in the rebuilding effort.

Additionally, a Memorial Day Calf Roping event had been planned at the Circle L 5 Arena at 6025 Wilbarger St. at 2 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $5 at the gate. Organizer Willie Collins said the event will go on as planned but now a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the club to help rebuild the stalls. For more information, go to the website www.doughboyroping.homestead.com, or call Collins at 682-521-2015 or 817-323-7119.

You can make monetary donations in person or by mail to:

Circle L 5 Riding Club

6025 Wilbarger Street

Fort Worth, TX 76119

You can donate supplies such as tack, feed, hay, lumber and building supplies in person at 6025 Wilbarger Street, Fort Worth, Texas, 76119. Or call Willie Collins at 682-521-2015 or 817-323-7119 to arrange to have items picked up locally.

The members of Circle L 5 Riding Club thank you in advance for your prayers and support.