Page 4 - The Friday Flyer • March 6, 2015

A-4 THE FRIDAY FLYER Dorothy and her horses . . .
MARCH 6, 2015
FROM PAGE A3
one about the red coat – a horse show coat that Dorothy had sold years ear- lier to a friend. Dave insisted that his wife buy the coat back after the friend’s daughter outgrew it. He then told her, “You have a show coat, but no show horse.”
He says he “had” to buy his beautiful wife a new horse. “Bad News Tradition” became her new horse; until, that is, she laid eyes on “Coin’s Cruiser,” or Cruiser as he is called. The Domanskis first saw Cruiser at the famous Tennessee Walk- ing Horse Celebration in 2004, and Dor- othy immediately fell for the beautiful and talented, 18-year-old, liver chestnut gelding. It was love at first ride.
Cruiser was so careful with her, so intelligent and gentlemanly, she could not resist him. His trainer was retir- ing Cruiser and was delighted to sell him to Dorothy instead. She was 80, Cruiser was 18 (a horse is considered elderly at 16).
The equestrian duo began showing and winning right away at some of the biggest Walking Horse shows around: Scottsdale, Indio, Reno, Pomona. For the next 10 years – at an age when many
senior citizens are at the doctor’s of- fice more often than not – Dorothy and Cruiser competed and won together: Championships, Reserve Champion- ships, 1st place, 2nd place, always plac- ing in the ribbons.
At every show Dave was there. He would groom and help in every way, and he cheered them on. It was easy for him to become their biggest fan and admirer. Cruiser is no ordinary horse, and Doro- thy is no ordinary woman.
Dorothy, now 91 years old, and Cruis- er, almost 29, retired from horse shows in 2014.
These days Dave drives Dorothy to the Canyon Lake Equestrian Center almost every day to see her beloved Cruiser, and she rides at least one day a week. She says, “I can be upset, but rid- ing makes me happy.”
Dave enjoys taking care of both of them. Others at the barn have noticed that, each time before Dorothy mounts, they bow their heads to ask God for a safe ride for horse and rider. Then Dave watches watching over his beautiful and feisty Dorothy as she rides.
Dorothy, Dave and Cruiser are known, loved and admired by everyone at the Equestrian Center. “I think she is an ex-
Dorothy's husband, Dave, accompanies her to the Equestrian Center each day that she rides. They even bow for a moment of prayer to ask for safety for both horse and rider.
Lioness accepting pull-tab donations through April 30
Residents are invited to collect pull- tabs for a fundraising project to benefit Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House. Aluminum pull-tabs can be popped off of soda, beer, soup and other food cans. Each year Lioness members welcome donations of pull-tabs from residents and combine them with their own collection to take to Redlands College. Many clubs, businesses
and organizations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties deliver the pull-tabs they have collected. The tabs are then weighed and sold with the proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House.
The collection will be delivered on Friday, May 1. Anyone wanting to do- nate pull-tabs may give them to any member of the Lioness Club or deliver
them to Joanna Spiller at 23651 Cruise Circle Dr.
The mission of the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House (LLRMH) is to provide a home away from home to families while their children receive medical treatment at Loma Linda Uni- versity Children’s Hospital and other nearby hospitals. Most of the children
are in critical condition, making it very important that the family is nearby while their child receives treatment. Funds to operate the House come from contribu- tions through individual gifts, special events, corporate donations and founda- tion grants.
For more information, contact Joanna at dinosaurs35@verizon.net.
cellent rider,” says Dave. When consid- ering how much longer she should ride, he says, “As long as she’s on a horse and feeling good, she should ride!”
There are heroes among us. Not all of them are famous or in the public eye, and not all of them are human. Dorothy and Cruiser are two of these heroes.
EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY
(Over 40 Years)
Will Meet At Your Home
Wills
Trusts
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Restatements Amendments
Powers of Attorney Health Care Directives
Discounted Fees for Canyon Lake Residents
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William K. Sweeney, J.D., LL.M., M.B.A.
(951) 643-8724
PHOTO BY DONNA KUPKE