She’s known as “Red” — that horse-crazy redhead with bright blue eyes: Debbie “Deb” Schrock. As a little girl growing up in Colville with three younger sisters, she mustered the nerve to ask a neighbor if she could ride their horse, Cindy. They said, “Yes!” When you are a little girl who loves horses, that is the greatest gift in the whole wide world.
Red learned a hard-work ethic, horse care, and riding skills when she joined 4-H, an endeavor that she says “saved her life.” After finishing high school, the local veterinarians that she worked for suggested that she apply for a summer job at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island as a horse wrangler.
YMCA of Greater Seattle set up Camp Orkila in 1906. Its mission statement was, and still is, to nurture the potential of youth while promoting healthy living and fostering social responsibility. Red knew she had landed in the right place when she saw the horses arrive — dozens in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Turns out those horses were the remuda of Claude Miller and Dick Blue.
After wrangling his horses at the camp, Red established a relationship with Claude and his Sun Mountain horse stable operator, Kit Cramer. Red exhibited an insatiable desire to learn everything she could that involved horses. Claude and Kit taught her how to pack, cook for an outfit, and to drive a team of horses pulling a wagon or sleigh. She spent a considerable amount of time at the ranch in Malaga where the horses were pastured at that time.
Prying herself off a horse’s back, Red knew she needed to finish the college education that she had started with community college classes back in Colville. After enrolling in Central Washington University, several people told her she needed to meet Kelly Mills, who operated an animal rehab and boarding facility in Ellensburg.
That connection added another piece to Red’s horsemanship. She was able to rent a room from Kelly and trade for part of the cost by helping with the horses. Kelly also taught her the skill of bodywork on the big creatures. Red still had her hands on a horse.
Fast forward — college degree, new husband, and a phone call. Kit wanted to retire from the Sun Mountain horseback riding facility. Someone said, “Call that redhead!”
After careful consideration, Red and her husband, Tom, took over the horse and sleigh/wagon ride business in 2011 as JD Outfitters. The years since have been both rewarding and challenging. So many outside forces such as the economy, fires, smoke and that little thing called a pandemic have affected the nature of the business.
After surviving the past few tough years, Red now stables 36 horses and spent this past summer sharing her love of horses with her guests. She says she loves providing what she calls “mountain therapy” to riders from all backgrounds.
• Mazama news: The Mazama Community Club recently expanded its mailbox capacity in front of the little red clubhouse on Goat Creek Road. The club was able to establish what it calls an “unusual arrangement” with the United States Postal Service where renters of the new boxes do not have to change from a current physical Mazama mailing address to a box number. Mail can continue to be addressed to the physical address, but will be delivered to the box. A “package box” will accept oversized items. If you live in the Mazama service area (generally upriver from the Weeman Bridge) and are interested in renting a mailbox, email MazamaCommunityClub@gmail.com with “mailboxes” in the subject line and request an application.
Diane Gordon, a Mazama member of Methow Valley Spinners and Weavers Guild, is thrilled that the Show and Sale of guild members handcrafted fiber arts is returning this year after the pesky pandemic cancellations the past two years. The hours will be Friday, Nov. 18, 2 p.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Stop at 137 Old Twisp Highway (off Highway 20 between Twisp and Winthrop) and check out the unique items for yourself and for gifting.
