LIU equestrian team’s message of ‘Hope’

When the plight of a little horse struck a big chord with Long Island University Post’s Equestrian Team, her fate took a joyful turn.

A sweet, diminutive Palomino mini mare, most likely slaughter-bound and up for sale at a Pennsylvania horse auction, caught the attention of the animal-loving team members who rallied to her rescue. The students raised funds to save the four-year old’s life through a campus bake sale and a website, collecting enough money to pay for adoption, veterinary, and transportation fees, an effort reflective of the LIU Post students’ ongoing determination to give back to their communities, setting examples of generosity and kindness.

LIU Post Equestrian Team captains Cristina Bakos and Alex Diez, along with fellow equestrian Christina Cepeda, traveled to Pennsylvania to bid on the mini horse, with the help of Cristina's father William, who is licensed to make equine purchases.

The pint-sized mare was named “Hope,” and christened as the official LIU Post team mascot.

“We named her Hope to inspire hope that all animals, even those in terrible situations, can have better lives,” said Bakos. “As competitive equestrians, our horses are our team members and deserve our respect and concerns. Hope represents the value we place on these animals as our partners.” Bakos houses Hope in her family’s Smithtown barn, where the little mare safely resides with her new family three other miniatures horses and a donkey, all rescues.