Courage in the Saddle: Support Chloe's Road to Recovery

Many residents of the Wood River Valley, Idaho are familiar with Chip Deffe, owner of Sun Summit South. Whether through skiing, biking, or his volunteer efforts at Galena Lodge's Grinder mountain bike race, Chip has made a mark. But have you met his daughter, Chloe?

Chloe is a resilient young woman who discovered her passion for horses at the age of seven through her involvement with 4-H in Hailey, Idaho, and never looked back. She was a dedicated member of the Wood River High School Rodeo team and achieved the title of regional pole bending champion in 2022. Recently, Chloe took on a new challenge at a Wyoming horse ranch to further develop her skills and plan her future. At just 20 years old, Chloe seemed to have the world at her feet... until last Sunday, when a tragic accident left her with a broken femur, broken pelvis, and dislocated hip after her horse rolled over on her.

The Deffe family, well-known pillars of the community, now find themselves in need of your support. Your generous donations are crucial to helping Chloe and her family manage the looming medical expenses from her extensive injuries, which insurance unfortunately won't fully cover.

After being life-flighted to Montana, Chloe has already undergone two surgeries: one to repair her femur and another, lasting nine hours, to address her pelvic injuries with the expertise of two surgeons. Susan Andrews, Chloe's mother, remains by her side, navigating medical procedures and planning for her care, including her horse and eventual journey home.

For those who know the Deffe family, this setback is just a temporary challenge—a "knocked down barrel" in Chloe's optimistic perspective. We are confident that once Chloe recovers, she will return to her beloved horses. When that day comes, Chloe will undoubtedly express her gratitude to all who contributed or sent their love and support from afar.