"Spirit of Rhiannon," foreground, and "Tally Ho" are two of the "Angel Horses of a Different Color" on display under Skypoint in downtown Billings. For more photos, click on the arrow at top right.
Another view of "Dream Horse," with "Protector" visible across the street.
Visitors to the opening day of the Yellowstone Valley Farmers’ Market in downtown Billings on Saturday will have a special treat.
On each corner under Skypoint at Broadway and Second Avenue North there stands an “Angel Horse of a Different Color.” The life-size fiberglass horses were painted by local artists and installed at the intersection earlier this week.
They will remain on display through August and will be auctioned off Sept. 5 during the annual “Barn Dance” fundraiser for Angel Horses Inc., of Billings. Angel Horses is not a rescue organization, but it uses rescued animals—including horses, donkeys, dogs and cats—in a therapeutic environment.
It serves elderly people, particularly those with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as at-risk youth, special-needs children and individuals and families affected by cancer. Most services are provided at no charge.
This year’s fundraiser will be at the White Aspen Ranch and will feature a dinner, dancing (plus a dance contest, with trophies awarded) a silent auction and a live auction of the Angel Horses of a Different Color.
Each horse was sponsored by a different business or organization, with clear coating donated by Underriner Motors and plaques donated by Western Awards & Engraving. Here are details on each horse:
♦ “Protector” by Kevin Red Star, sponsored by Lou Taubert Ranch Outfitters.
♦ “Spirit of Rhiannon” by Lori Blaylock, sponsored by The Oakland Company.
♦ “Tally Ho” by Carol Spielman, sponsored by White Aspen Ranch.
♦ “Dream Horse” by Tyrel Johnson, sponsored by Steve Gountanis Homes.
Joel Gargaro, co-owner of Rock Creek Coffee Roasters, which occupies the same corner as “Spirit of Rhiannon,” said he has been amazed at how many people, even on Sunday morning, have been coming to the intersection just to check out the horses.
