Rileys, horses that do better after horses near Billingsley – the Clanton Advertiser

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Peggy and Joel Riley joy with their horses, who was shot during a shootout on March 7, in which two of the couple's horses were injured. (Carey Reeder | Advertiser)

Steven Robertson, 28 by Clanton, was arrested and charged with the shootout in Stardutch Equine-Western dressage in the County Road 350. (Chilton County Sheriff's Office |

By Carey Reeder | Managing editor

Together with their horses Joy and Mila, Peggy and Joel Riley will steadily return to normal life after a shootout on March 7, which wounded both horses. The consequences were that both horses are expected to be fully restored, and an outfit of the community support for the couple and their horses.

The couple, along with his three dogs, fed his 11 horses in the Stardutch Equine-Western dressage in the County Road 350 Off County Road 37 near Billingsley when a man was later identified as Steven Robertson, 28 by Clanton, drove with a dark truck in the County Road 350 when he was a 9 mm pistun The County Road 37, towards County Road 37, when he relieved a 9 mm pistun into the field.

“I think he shot the horses, but there is no way to see us,” said Peggy Riley. “He didn't care who he shot or hit.”

Peggy ran after the truck and was able to get a good description of the truck and the Robertson, but when she came back, she enjoyed the ground.

“He had no consideration of human life or animals,” said Joel Riley. “Life in general was (careless).”

Mila, an Arabic horse, suffered a gunshot wound on the leg that went through cleanly. According to pain medication and antibiotics, Mila has already started returning to her normal routine, and it is expected to recover quickly.

Joy, a paint horse, was shot in the upper back and has a fracture in it. The snail is still in it and a possible operation to remove the ball could be needed in the future. The idea is to have the bone healed before the decision to remove the ball is made or not. The Rileys work with two veterinarians who have seen the horses routinely since shooting, and both bow to the opportunity to let the ball be happy when things heal, but also do not rule out operation to remove them.

The Rileys gave a description of the vehicle and the Robertson in the Chilton County's sheriff, and the MPs found the vehicle and it found it within 24 hours after the shootout with the help of the police department of Clanton.

“Everything they had was a description of the car and what we saw from him, and (the CCSO) had him 24 hours later,” said Joel Riley. “They didn't play. I had no real experience with them since I was here, but they did a really great job. “

The officials arrested Robertson due to two cases of killing or disabled cattle, two cases of ruthless threats and in public under influence. Robertson is recorded in the Chilton County prison under a bond of $ 12,000. Peggy Riley said she appreciates the indictment against Robertson, which was specifically for cattle and, in contrast to just cruelty to animals.

The output of community support for Joy and Mila was an eye opening. The Rileys received thousands of stocks, comments, news and calls from community members who offer their support, thoughts and prayers for them after the shootout.

“There is a different view of the world,” said Joel Riley. “That gives you hope.”

The Rileys moved from Elmore County to the area three years ago and bought the property where Stardutch Equine-Western dressage on the corner of County Road 37 and County Road 350 sits near Billingsley. While the shootings made them shake, the consequences were inviting.

“We didn't come from another district yet, but this made us get together with people when people come together,” said Peggy Riley.

Peggy and Joel started to return to their daily routines to return the dressage, and they are confident that the judicial system will give them justice and that justice will be preserved for joy and mila.