Government Shutdown Kicks Family, Horses Out - video

As the federal government shut down hits its second week, a weekend of fun turned into panic for Anne Liddell and her horses. The Alabama Yellowhammer Pioneer Endurance Ride is a popular event for horse enthusiasts that takes place each year at the Talladega National Forest. This year, the event was shortened because of the government shutdown, and riders and their horses were kicked out of the park late in the evening, potentially putting them in danger. To Liddell, horses are family. She's been riding since she was a child, but she's never experienced anything like she did last weekend at the endurance ride. "Around about 8 o'clock on Friday evening, we were told there were law enforcement people on their way and we needed to pack up and leave," she said. Though the government shutdown, which closed national parks, started days before the Alabama Yellowhammer Pioneer Endurance Ride, riders were told they could bring their horses and compete anyway. "At that point they had felt we were free to use the trails on the Friday and after our horses had rested and finished competing, then we would leave when the horses were rested." Liddell said. Nearly 100 riders had set up camp in the Talladega National Forest, expecting to leave Saturday morning after their horses had rested and rehydrated from their 50-mile ride. But when law enforcement showed up Friday night, Liddell's plans changed. "We were threatened that our vehicles would be impounded and our horses would be confiscated if we didn't pack up and leave right now," she said...more

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