In the early hours of June 25, 2020 in the small village of Corrales, New Mexico, a ten-year-old Welsh Pony, Quicksilver Rock Star “Rocky” was killed in his paddock. The perpetrators then butchered the pony, removing portions of his body from the premises.
Rocky was as a champion hunter over fences who won honors at the Welsh Pony Nationals show in 2016. His real calling was a pleasure riding pony whose calm disposition and curious nature stole everyone’s hearts. The loss was devastating to his owners who feel they lost a member of the family. This gruesome act incensed the horse community of which he was a part.
C.H.A.M.P. created a GoFund Me account which raised over $17,000 and was added to a $5,000 donation from Road Runner Waste. This money was submitted to ABQ CrimeStoppers under Justice for Rocky to help with the investigation of the murder.
Unfortunately, no justice has been brought to Rocky’s murderer and CHAMP requested return of the funds in 2021 from CrimeStoppers to use the money for the Village. CHAMP is managing the funds with the intent of returning the kindness of the generous donors and return the money to the community through various acts, trainings, and purchases for the betterment of the Equestrian community in the Village.
As of midway through 2024, the Justice for Rocky Fund has helped CHAMP provide and supplement the following in the Village. We are looking forward to finding additional opportunities to show the love Rocky had for his people as we improve our community.
2022 Large Animal Rescue Training
20 members of the Corrales Fire Department, Albuquerque Fire Department, Rio Rancho Fire Department, Sandoval Fire & Rescue, Corrales Animal Services, and key members of the CHAMP board attending Large Animal Rescue Training with Code3 Training.
Mounting Blocks
Our board member Curt has diligently spent time building and supplying various locations around the Village with mounting blocks for riders to use to get back on after visiting a business that also has a hitching rail. These beautiful mounting blocks are accompanied by signs indicating they were donated by CHAMP.
As of July 2024, the following locations have a mounting block available for use with more to come.
- Top Form Arena
- The Farm Stand
- ExNovo Brewery
- Village Pizza (Offers a 10% discount if you ride in!)
- The Frontier Mart
- Village of Corrales Complex (Go vote by riding in!)
Corrales Fire Department & Corrales Animal Services
After co-sponsoring the Microchip Clinic with CEAC, CHAMP donated an updated microchip reader to Animal Control so they would be able to read the newly placed Equine microchips if needed in the Village.
Corrales Fire Department & Animal Services were generously donated a trailer for necessary animal operations with small farm and large animals. The trailer was in need of some upgrades and the Rocky Fund provided $1,000 towards new tires and general repairs to get it in good working order for the Village First Responders.