Lake Wylie, SC June 24, 2012—Stolen Horse International was contacted today about eight horses believed to have been stolen from Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, SC on the night of June 23, 2012.

Rosie,an eight year old Paint horse mare was stolen late last night/early or early Sunday morning from a paddock at the camp. The horses were all present Saturday night around 8:30 PM. Rosie along with one other staff horse, Miracle and six camp horses was taken without any sign of struggle.

Kristen Simmons, owner of Rosie, wrote in an email to Stolen Horse International, "I have had Rosie since she was weaned, and she is my first horse. Rosie is very special to me, and it is so hard to not know where she is or what is happening. Please contact if any information is available."

Bethany Vawter, owner of Miracle an 11 year old Paint horse gelding added, "Miracle was in the barn yard along with four other horses including a fellow staff member's horse. All five of those horses were taken. Three horses in the pasture across the street were also taken. Six horses were not stolen."

She continues, "I have had Miracle since I was in the 7th grade and he was three years old. He will be 12 years old on November 29th. Miracle and I are on the Clemson Intercollegiate Eventing Team. He acts like a puppy dog and constantly wags his tail. He is the sweetest horse and loves people more than horses."

We are happy to report that many of our NetPosse Volunteers and friends jumped to action right away and told Bethany and Kristin about NetPosse.com. One of the victims called Stolen Horse International right away and started receiving our help immediately. 

The afternoon was a flurry of hurried reports, phone conversations, report processing resulting in NetPosse Alerts being sent nationwide. The horses were soon recovered.

We are not sure what really happen nor are we sure if we ever will know. We do have the following synopsis that is pieced together in bullet points about the recovery of Cherokee Rose and Miracle. This is a combination of what was told to us in conversations and emails between all three victims and a representative of Stolen Horse International.

Stolen Horse International reports the following occurred on June 24, 2012:

• Stolen Horse International received a call from one of the victims telling us they were told to get in touch with us.
• Stolen Horse International explained what we were planning to do since we were getting this info so quickly after the theft—webpage, NetPosse Alerts, press releases, flyers posted, people watching for their horses at auctions, etc.
• Spoke to the other one who was in the same location and explained the same as above.
• Instructions were given on how to file reports and two of the victims filed immediately
• Obtained the phone number of the third victim
• NetPosse Alerts began going out and continued to be posted until we were notified they were located.
• At 2:20 June 24, 2012 a call was made to the third victim and Stolen Horse International talked with the victim about filing a report ASAP.
• Explained benefits to victim of having his horses listed on NetPosse.com including the following –alerts sent to thousands and a chance to be included in a press release that was going to all of the local news media (TV/newspapers) in Charlotte, NC.
• Victim was also told how much the news media had supported NetPosse victims and that we were sure there would be major news coverage on 8 horses stolen from a YMCA camp.
• Victim told that we would have people at auctions watching for the horses.
• Around 4:00 June 24, 2012 the owners in SC received a call from the third victim stating the mistake and he was bringing the horses’ home.
• Horses were returned shortly afterward.

According to the man who had the horses the following occurred:

• He sent someone to Camp Croft in SC to pick up 6 horses Saturday night.
• The people picking up the 6 horses got lost and wound up at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, SC—almost two hours away from Camp Croft.
• They picked up 8 horses
• There was a mistake made according to the other victim who had the 8 horses, six of which were his own.
• The horses spend the night in a NC town
• He returned them after 4:00 June 24, 2012 saying it was all a mistake.
• He did not file a police report or a report with Stolen Horse International

Now you know the rest of the story (or at least the part we are releasing to the public). We are so happy that these horses have been found and are so thankful for everyone who helped in any way. We could not do what we do without you!

Thank you for your support and always remember to "Never underestimate the power of one!"

Click here to go to Rosie's webpage and information

Click here to go to Miracle's webpage and information