Our Impact
Relief for Nine Islands following
Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017
In 2017 Irma came through the Virgin Islands, Barbuda, St. Barths and St. Martin/St. Maartin as a category 5 hurricane. Incredibly, just two weeks later, another category 5 storm, Hurricane Maria came through the Eastern Caribbean hitting the Virgin Islands for a second time and causing major damage to Puerto Rico and Dominica, among other islands. The impact on Puerto Rico was particularly devastating as the island is a source of feed for many equines in the Eastern Caribbean.
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CERF distributed over $190,000 in aid to support affected equines on nine different islands following these record-breaking storms.
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Photo of some of the horses and ponies at Countryside Adventures, the only riding school on the island of Tortola, BVI, taken prior to Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Relief for Grand Bahama Following Hurricane Dorian in 2019
In 2019, Hurricane Dorian, a category 5 storm, devastated the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. While there were no equines on Abaco, one of the two riding stables on Grand Bahama tragically lost all of their horses along with a groom who tried to save them.
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CERF, working with Equestrian Bahamas, stepped in to help the remaining riding school on Grand Bahama recover. We sent them feed, farrier tools, veterinary medicines, stable supplies and fencing materials. In addition, our feed supplier was able to gather donations for critically needed items that were outside our mandate, such as a chain saw, a generator and dog and cat food that we shipped in our container.
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The photo shows the aftermath of the storm at the one remaining riding school on Grand Bahama following Hurricane Dorian.
Relief for St. Vincent following the Eruption of La Soufriere in 2021
When La Soufriere erupted in December 2020, it forced the evacuation of people and animals from the surrounding area. The management and staff of the Richmond Vale Academy, a non-profit educational institution located at the foot of the volcano, had to walk over 10 hours with their horses to reach safety, but their ordeal wasn't over. The heavy ash meant that grass had to be cut and hand washed, so the horses wouldn't colic from eating it.
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CERF bought horse feed through local suppliers that was distributed by CERF's local non-profit partner, Richmond Vale Academy, to owners of impacted equines, most of whom were farmers. CERF also purchased lumber and wire fencing from local vendors which was used to create temporary paddocks and shelters for displaced equines. In addition, CERF sent buckets, halters, grooming supplies, dewormer and fly spray from the USA, since none of these items could be purchased locally.
This photo shows the exodus of the staff from Richmond Vale Academy with their horses. Notice the amount of ash on the road.
Relief for Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona in 2022
Hurricane Fiona, while only a category 3 hurricane, left considerable damage in its wake, including the complete destruction of the hay farms on the island of Puerto Rico. Normally self sufficient, the loss of the entire crop of hay meant that supplies would have to be shipped in from Florida at much higher cost until the crops could be replanted and harvested.
CERF made a sizable donation toward the purchase of two container loads of hay by Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization based in Puerto Rico, that was organizing the distribution of hay to equines in need, both on the track and elsewhere.
Relief for Grenada and St. Vincent following Hurricane Beryl
When Hurricane Beryl strengthened from a tropical storm to a Category 4 Hurricane over a 48 hour period in late June, 2024, it eventually became the earliest Category 5 storm on record. Beryl took a direct hit to Grenada as a high-end Category 4 storm causing total devastation. It also ravaged the southern islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Fortunately, no equines lost their lives in the storm, but the barns lost their roofs or totally collapsed.
CERF purchased horse feed and fencing materials locally to support impacted horse owners on each of these islands so that they could focus on rebuilding their lives from the rubble.
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Photo at right shows the barn at Bonanza Stables in Grenada which lost its roof in Hurricane Beryl, leaving their horses exposed to the elements.
