Champ’s Heart is leaving Shelley at end of the month

SHELLEY — Healing horse encounters for children and veterans with special needs will no longer be available in Shelley.

Just months after Champ’s Heart thought they had a permanent home at the North Bingham County Historical Park, the nonprofit, dedicated to helping children and veterans with special needs, finds itself homeless once again. Champ’s Heart is ceasing operation in Shelley on July 31.

“I’m a 71-year-old cancer survivor. I don’t have the time left to do politics. I need to invest in these kids and these veterans,” Champ’s Heart founder Larry Cudmore told Community Pioneer.

Champ’s Heart has been struggling to find a way to stay in Shelley since the Bingham County Commissioners informed Champ’s Heart they would not be able to honor the 99-year lease they had discussed when Champ’s Heart first moved to Shelley.

“A 99-year-lease, that was thrown out probably the first meeting that it was possible. But because of some things that are set in the guide lines and the state code and things like that — we still are tyring to work through all that. Then it fell back to a five-year-lease,” County Commissioner Whitney Manwaring said at a June 21, County Commission Meeting.

The state code Manwaring was referring to is Idaho Code 31-836 which only permits the county to give leases for a maximum of five years. However, the code has certain exemptions allowing leases for up to 99 years. 

According to section four of Idaho Code 31-836, the board of county commissioners may lease county lands for a maximum of 99 years for a nominal fee “to any nonprofit corporation or association organized for the purpose of erecting and maintaining thereon any play field, recreation park or stadium to serve as a memorial to the living or deceased soldiers, sailors and marines of an armed conflict entered into by the United States.â€

“We’ve worked with the Bingham County attorney on the lease and he said we checked all the boxes,” Cudmore said.

However, County Commissioner Mark Bair said that it just isn’t possible for the county to give Champ’s Heart a 99-year lease.

“Everybody thinks that we’re forcing him out and that’s not true. We have an agreement with him until September 30, and then that agreement ends and hopefully he can find another place,” County Commissioner Mark Bair told Community Pioneer.

Cudmore said another factor in their decision to leave Shelley is that they have had multiple complaints made against them about the health of their horses.

“That’s the biggest deal. Animal Control has been out there twice checking my animals saying the complaints are bogus,” Cudmore said.

Cudmore explained that one of his horses, Slick, is 23 years old and has trouble putting and keeping on weight.

“The vets have said he has a liver condition that will probably take his life, eventually,” Cudmore said.

He explained that the vets have told him that as long as Slick is staying active and energetic, that he can continue to work.

“When I first heard about (the liver condition) I was heartbroken. I kept him out of the activities for one day and he just went nuts being left out,” Cudmore said. “He’s put on weight. He’s doing good. He’s going to be in the War Bonnet Rodeo in a couple weeks.”

The other horse Cudmore mentioned that has had some health problems is Black Jack. He has Laminitis.

According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, Laminitis is a painful disease that affects the horse’s feet.

“He’s on medication every day for it,” Cudmore said.

Former Local News 8 news anchor Karole Honas rescues horses, owns two mini horses and also volunteers with Champ’s Heart

“I was so insulted. I rescue horses. I have rescue horses out here on my property and the idea that I would be involved with anything that didn’t take really good care of its horses really ticked me off,” Honas told Community Pioneer.

She said she spoke to Bingham County Animal Control and was told that the complaints were unfounded.

“I wouldn’t stand by and let animals be abused. That’s just ridiculous. They’re loved to death. They’re loved by the children and all the guys out there. The veterans have really bonded with them,” Honas said.

Despite the claims being unfounded and working with a veterinarian and his farrier to care for the horses, Cudmore feels that even if he were able to stay in Shelley, the complaints wouldn’t stop.

“Right now I’m fighting to find a place where we won’t be hassled,” Cudmore said.

At the July 13 Shelley City Council meeting, it was suggested that the City of Shelley should purchase the park from the county. However, Cudmore said that even if the city were to purchase the park, he still feels that Champ’s Heart needs to find a new home.

A Champ’s Heart Facebook post made early Monday Morning, informed their followers that Champ’s Heart would be closing for a time until they can find a new location.

“I’m reading what this is doing to some of the kids that are hearing that we’re closing for a while and having to move. The parents are really upset. Due to the nature of their childrens’ conditions, it’s just really hard to explain,” Cudmore said.

In the Facebook post, Champ’s Heart said that their immediate need is land.

“If you know of anyone who has land for sale, would donate land, or donate funds to purchase land, contact us today! If we can even use someone’s indoor arena for two months, we could continue as we are!” the post says.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated since first being published on July 26 with statements from Karole Honas.