Help Dayan Save Muddy Creek Farm

Since opening Muddy Creek Farm in 1962, Dayan Birchler has enriched the lives of countless people.  Dayan’s earliest riders will remember Muddy Creek when it was just a 6 stall barn with no arena. Students trailered in for lessons that were held, weather permitting, in the middle of the pasture. The invisible “ring” was lighted by the headlamps of their cars. Dayan had the determination and the vision to see the bigger picture.

For 54 years, Dayan has taken kids who could not financially afford to go to horse shows and taught them the value of hard work and strong character. She was a coach, a role model, and a disciplinarian to guide them in the right direction as individuals. At MCF, it has never just been about teaching kids to ride horses. It went far deeper than that. It was about how they spoke to their parents, how they treated their horse and treated each other. As a child, you don’t recognize that. What you realize as you mature, though, is that you were also at MCF to learn how to be a decent human being. She gave these children responsibilities and taught them how to be good people. She gave kids who did not have the means to ride or show horses the opportunity to do it when everyone else said no. Dayan showed them that horses are not just for the wealthy, they are for people who want it so badly that they are willing to work as hard as it takes.

Dayan has never looked down on anyone due to physical, financial, or other hardships. Throughout her career she has partaken in therapy whether it be for children, handicapped adults, or kids who had difficult upbringings. She was able to temporarily erase those hardships by helping them step out of that box. She had a student show on the national level who had been told she would never walk due to her physical disability. She taught a terminally ill child who adored one of Dayan’s trusty lesson ponies. When she became too sick to come out and see Magic, Dayan said without hesitation “then we’ll take Magic to her”. Those who witnessed it will never forget the feeling of watching that little girl come outside to see the pony that she loved so dearly munching on grass in her suburban front yard.

Dayan’s life has come with many of her own hardships. She has fought and won against breast and ovarian cancers, had two knee replacements, two titanium shoulder replacements and a ceramic hip replacement. Through it all she has continued to fight and keep the farm alive for everyone. For many people Muddy Creek is not just a farm, it’s a family.

Dayan has welcomed those in need, both two-legged and four-legged, for over half a century. She has made mistakes, but her heart has always been in a place of giving. Now, she needs help. Muddy Creek is under imminent threat of foreclosure due to delinquent property taxes. There is no safety net here. Should the property be foreclosed, It is unclear what will happen or where she, and the horses, will go. Should we successfully raise this money, Muddy Creek will continue to serve kids and horses for many years to come. Through the Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) program, beginning this year all future property taxes will be significantly reduced to a level that Dayan can support ongoing.  The delinquent taxes owed total just under $27,000. By July 8th, 2016, $9,695 must be paid or foreclosure will be filed. The remaining taxes will be owed on a payment plan. We aim to raise the full $27,000 that is owed. ALL money raised will go directly to the tax bill. Should we raise more than $27,000, additional funds will be put directly towards maintenance of the barn.

As you all can imagine, it is extremely difficult for Dayan to ask for help. She has always been a strong and independent woman dedicated to giving back to the riders under her charge. This is our chance to save Muddy Creek and ensure that Dayan's legacy will not end here.