GRAPEVINE COMMUNITY QUICKLY COMES TO THE AID OF WAGON WHEEL RANCH

The smoke has barely cleared from Friday’s barn fire at Wagon Wheel Ranch on Ruth Wall Road in Grapevine; yet volunteers to raise money for rebuilding were out in numbers this morning.  The fire, which fire officials say apparently started in the area of the soft drink vending machine, destroyed the bridles, saddles and tack of all the young people who take lessons at the ranch and also of those who board horses there.  Eight horses also lost their lives.

Supporters of the ranch gathered at the corner of Main and Northwest Highway to host a car wash as a fund raiser.  “There have been lots of donations” said Kimberly Kast, an instructor at the ranch. “ The people of Grapevine have  been so supportive”, she said.  The donations have ranged from tack to fans from Elliot’s Hardware.  Kast’s daughter Tiffany rides at the ranch and has qualified for nationals.  “We want to get her ready”, said Kast. 

“We’re like a big family”, said Erica Ocehoa, 12, concerning the people that use the ranch.  “This is our life”, said Chelsea Miller, also 12.  The girls stood on the street corner holding hand-made signs pointing to the car wash.  This would have been the last day of the last summer camp of the season where the girls help teach new and younger students to ride.  “I want to be a trainer someday”, said Ocehoa. “At camp I get to learn more and how to deal with children”, she said.

The barn is now a pile of twisted metal and embers.  “We looked through the rubble and there was nothing left”,  we all cried”, said Miller.