Horses Rescued, Tack Rooms & Everything Else Gone
When local equestrians Valerie Magaña and Colette Putnam arrived at Sunnyside Stables that day a little over two-and-a-half years ago, they quickly hit the ground running and started leading horses to higher ground. The Sweetwater River had jumped its banks and the corrals nearest the river were filled with water. Water that was rising minute by minute. Horses were trapped inside the corrals and could not escape the flood waters on their own.
"She pulled up and saw her horse, my horse and a third horse getting crushed by the force of the water and debris."—Valerie Magaña
"After that, there was no standing around."—Colette Putnam
Had the women tarried even a few minutes, some of those horses might not be here today.
Valerie and Collette are greatly appreciated for their bravery, quickness of mind and ability to react in a rapidly-escalating dangerous situation.
Photo stills from ABC10 newscast | Click on photos to enlarge
January 22, 2024 is a day etched in the minds of Sunnyside Stables horse owners and their trusty steeds. It's hard to forget when the river is no longer running next to the stables but running through the stables. Sunnyside Stables is located in Bonita-Sunnyside on Sweetwater Road.
First photo taken by Scott Aurich | Photo 2 & 3 by Valerie Magaña | Click on photos to enlarge
Bonita Valley Horsemen President Janeen Reed owns Amber, one of the horses that was rescued by Valerie and Collette. Unfortunately, they could not save Janeen's tack room as it floated down the river with every piece of horse equipment that she owned. She lost her saddles, blankets, bridles, halters, lead ropes, everything . . . even her grooming tools.
Several tack rooms were lost to the raging river with all the horse gear inside.
Photos by Janeen Reed | Click on images to enlarge
The bridge crossing the river and used by equestrians, bike riders and walkers alike became detached and the bridge was no longer usable. It's a wonder that it did not join the flow.
Photos by Janeen Reed | Click on images to enlarge
In February, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and City Council honored Valerie Magaña and Collette Putnam for risking their own lives to pull trapped ponies and horses from flooded corrals.
Sunnyside was not the only stable that took a beating.
Sweetwater Farms on Equestrian Lane (near Plaza Bonita Mall) took almost a year to recover from the river damage and lost a great deal of ranch equipment.
And in Tijuana River Valley, horse owners at Driftwood Ranch (along Hollister Road) had to rescue their horses from sewage-filled river water.
With forecasts of El Niño this year being bigger and badder than previous years, it makes one wonder what to expect this year. And no matter what occurs, we must be prepared for every instance.
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