Rickards Ranch Lost in Malibu Fire
Donation protected
Wendell Phillips and Mary Dee Rickards plan to re-build Rickards Ranch and re-establish their animal rescue efforts. The loss of over half-a-century of history has been devastating, but if anyone can rise from the ashes, it’s these two. Wendell and Mary Dee are known throughout California for their efforts on behalf of both people and animals in need. Now it’s our turn to offer a hand up as they wait for insurance companies and local, state, and federal officials to determine how and where they go from here. As Richard Rowland famously said, “Learn this well. The last ride is never the last ride. And the end is not the end.” Wendell and Mary Dee will get back in the saddle and ride forward, and we are happy to help them on their way!
THE HISTORY OF RICKARDS RANCH:
Dale and Dee Rickards bought the 11-acre Malibu ranch in 1957 and built their home on top of the rise overlooking the pasture land. Dale was in the mounted US Cavalry in WWII, and he helped start the mounted LAPD unit that he rode with for many years. Dee collected antiques for most of her life, and their home and ranch were a living museum of the Wild West. They rode together with local trail groups for most of their 66 years of marriage.
During the early 1970’s, the Rickards opened a small amusement park in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area that featured a hand-carved 24-horse vintage merry-go-round, pony rides, and wagon rides. Then in the early 1980’s, Dale and Dee started their prop business at home, renting and selling Western props. Their props have appeared in numerous movies, TV shows, Golden Boot Awards ceremonies, magazines, and on CD and book covers. Their Western gear has also been used to furnish most of the country-western line dancing clubs around Los Angeles.
Rickards Ranch was also known for its horse and cat rescues. The cats lived in a beautiful, full-sized house with the best view on the ranch! Mary Dee Rickards, daughter of Dale and Dee, and her husband, Wendell Phillips, kept the ranch up and are well known in Malibu for their animal rescue efforts. At the time of the fire, there were nearly 100 rescue animals on the ranch that had to be transported to other locations, fostered, and adopted out.
Learn more about Rickards Ranch here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Rickards-Ranch-137532749643011/photos/?ref=page_internal
To donate directly to the animal rescue efforts, go here: https://www.gofundme.com/malibu-fire-burned-rescue-ranch
THE HISTORY OF RICKARDS RANCH:
Dale and Dee Rickards bought the 11-acre Malibu ranch in 1957 and built their home on top of the rise overlooking the pasture land. Dale was in the mounted US Cavalry in WWII, and he helped start the mounted LAPD unit that he rode with for many years. Dee collected antiques for most of her life, and their home and ranch were a living museum of the Wild West. They rode together with local trail groups for most of their 66 years of marriage.
During the early 1970’s, the Rickards opened a small amusement park in the Hansen Dam Recreation Area that featured a hand-carved 24-horse vintage merry-go-round, pony rides, and wagon rides. Then in the early 1980’s, Dale and Dee started their prop business at home, renting and selling Western props. Their props have appeared in numerous movies, TV shows, Golden Boot Awards ceremonies, magazines, and on CD and book covers. Their Western gear has also been used to furnish most of the country-western line dancing clubs around Los Angeles.
Rickards Ranch was also known for its horse and cat rescues. The cats lived in a beautiful, full-sized house with the best view on the ranch! Mary Dee Rickards, daughter of Dale and Dee, and her husband, Wendell Phillips, kept the ranch up and are well known in Malibu for their animal rescue efforts. At the time of the fire, there were nearly 100 rescue animals on the ranch that had to be transported to other locations, fostered, and adopted out.
Learn more about Rickards Ranch here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Rickards-Ranch-137532749643011/photos/?ref=page_internal
To donate directly to the animal rescue efforts, go here: https://www.gofundme.com/malibu-fire-burned-rescue-ranch
Organizer and beneficiary
Sheri Stevenson
Organizer
Pasadena, CA
Wendell Phillips
Beneficiary