But in March, a strong wind ripped through southern Ogle County and, in a matter of minutes, significantly damaged the main arena building. Five months later, the center still is reeling from the storm’s effects.

“We are still fighting with the insurance company and now we are waiting again,” said Fellows noting that it was likely the insurance settlement will not cover the entire price of rebuilding.

She was the first to learn of the March storm damage when she saw what the wind had done to the main building via remote cameras at the facility.

Fellows contacted property manager Dave Diveley, and when he arrived at the center, he saw the devastation.

“The south end of the building took the brunt of it,” he said. “All the horses were okay, but they were jumpy from the storm.”

Eleven horses were housed under the wooden haymow at the south end of the 62-foot-by-420-foot building when the storm hit. The horses and two cats that resided in the structure were not hurt.

The wind pushed the north end of the building in, twisting and bending the large garage door.

The “hoop” building was constructed in 2002. Its roof and sides consist of a large tarp called a “coverall” that stretches over the steel frame. Sections of the tarp were torn from the frame and deposited nearby, while some sections remained on the frame with tears.

“We’ve looked into everything from pole buildings, to metal buildings and our need for storage, but this [hoop] is the type of building we need,” she said.

Metal buildings are primarily used for storage and don’t have the ventilation or floor suitable for the riding area.

“We need a building that allows us to have a softer ground for our aging horses and some of our volunteers too,” she said. “At this point we really have to rely on donations.”

Pegasus Special Riders provides a variety of programming to benefit qualified individuals

April through October weather permitting.

On Aug. 28, another storm hit the facility ripping down the loafing shed

The large arched entryway, that was at the north end of the barn, was salvaged from the March storm and moved just a few yards away from the barn while contractors began dismantling the main structure Aug. 22.

The August storm changed all that, twisting the entryway and dumping it onto its side while stripping metal siding from the loafing shedand depositing it across the driveway while wrapping some pieces around several trees to the north.

The horses and cats were again rattled by the destruction, but unhurt, Fellows said.

“Two horses decided to go to another pasture because the fence was down, but they all get along so that was ok,” she said. “We were again so lucky that the animals were not hurt.”

Fellows said it is likely the insurance settlement will not cover the entire price of rebuilding from the first storm, let alone the second.

“We found out that we had a $250,000 ‘cap’ on our insurance so we could be responsible for the rest to just replace what we had,” she said noting that the barn cost $150,000 to construct in 2002.

“Now that has doubled in price,” she said. “And it was $45,000 just to disassemble the barn last week. It all adds up.”

Both storms were selective in their destruction, leaving a cornfield to the west and soybean field to north untouched.

“We’ve been here since 2002 so why pick on us now and then twice?,” she said.

Pegasus Special Riders is a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic horseback riding to northern Illinois residents with physical, mental and emotional challenges.

“We do not turn anyone away due to their inability to pay,” their website states.

“The Therapeutic Riding Program improves the quality of life of those we serve. Our primary clients are individuals with disabilities who benefit physically, emotionally and cognitively through animal-assisted activities, primarily through interaction with horses. We do not turn anyone away due to their inability to pay,” the organization’s website says.

Diveley is the organization’s only full-time employee. Dedicated volunteers step in to help with daily chores from horse care, horse handling during lessons and fundraising events.

“We’ve lost a whole year of lessons, but a lot of clients are sponsored through scholarships, so we really don’t have a revenue stream,” Fellows said. “We still have our horses and we have that to be grateful for, and we are so fortunate none of them were injured. But this is very daunting.”

Visit Pegasus www.PegasusSpecialRiders.org for information.