Bill Norwood is a talented reining/cowhorse trainer from Australia. His wife, Kelli, is a high school teacher. They have a wonderful 3 year old son, Austin, and were blessed with a beautiful new baby girl, Ella, on March 1 of this year. At the tender age of 5 weeks, Ella was diagnosed with cancer. Doctors removed a large tumor, her tail bone and the tip of her spinal cord. She is now about 6 months old and is passing all her screenings with flying colors. She has twinkling eyes and the most engaging smile you have ever seen.

Many of us have pulled together and are holding a horse show, silent auction, live auction and dinner at Casner Ranch next Saturday, August 29. (We have a very competitive stick horse cutting judged by Bob Avila to top it all off!) I contacted my friend, John Mitchell, at Slate River Ranch and told him this story. Glade Knight has generously donated a breeding to each of the two Slate River Ranch stallions: That Sly Cat and Mr. Boonsmal to benefit the Norwood Family. We are looking to get the word out on the stallions-there are cutters and cowhorse people all over the nation who read this blog.

We have this fabulous donation and now we need buyers. I am attaching the flyer which sums up the event more succinctly. We are overwhelmed with the response and generosity of the horse community. There are many more wonderful items on the auction list as well. I encourage anyone to call me with questions or bids. If you should want any additional information on this event, please contact me, Lois Hastings, at any time or hour of the day. My number is 951-852-1945 (this is also on the  flyer).