NEW BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - Saturday night's storm took down the pavilion at the Carl Gastineau Memorial Arena, home of the Mid-Mo Saddle Club.
The metal roof to the pavilion and the announcer stand were both damaged by the strong winds during the storm, according to club president Barb Schaffer. The club hosted a horse show earlier Saturday - club members were grateful the storm held off until later and no one was injured. Unfortunately, the pavilion is the only covered seating the arena has to offer its guests at the open horse show grounds.
With that being said, the club has started a GoFundMe page - with a goal of $10,000 - to help raise money for the repairs. This will ensure it has enough funds to cover material costs. Members of the club are also going to provide as much labor as possible. The club had raised $2,025 as of late Monday afternoon.
Over the next couple of days, the club is going to focus on getting the mess cleaned up and out of the way in time for its next horse show in July. Until repairs are made, guests will have to bring their own pop-up canopies to stay cool.
The Mid-Mo Saddle Club hosts family-oriented events, and most of their competitors are children looking to have fun and learn what it takes to show horses.
"Open shows like this are dying out," Schaffer said Monday. "There used to be saddle clubs all over the central area. We had 13 different clubs that hosted horse shows and now we're down to two - this one, and there's one in Fulton. These shows are based on family values and family fun and letting kids learn about horses and horse safety."
The club spends most of its limited budget on special awards each year, as well as to help promote the shows.
To donate, visit au.gofundme.com/f/mid-missouri-saddle-club-damage-needs-repaired. Donations may also be mailed to Mid Mo Saddle Club, c/o Karen Craighead Treasurer, 5098 CR 115, Fulton, MO 65251.