05/17/2025
After a long day of spraying fields to keep the local wheat healthy and thriving, I was just about ready to call it a night. But then my phone rang. A family in Warrenton, VA was facing a heartbreaking situation: two horses had gotten loose. One—a beloved companion of a young middle school girl—had been tragically struck and killed. The second horse, Denver, was still missing.
It was already late, but I grabbed a large can of liquid motivation (aka the strongest energy drink I could find), loaded up the drone gear, and hit the road. I pulled into Warrenton around 2:30 AM, greeted by a group of worried friends and family. You could see the exhaustion on their faces—but also a quiet hope.
After asking a few questions to map out the likely search area (pro tip: never underestimate how far a panicked animal can go—or how fast), I launched the drone. First battery cycle, I flew to the eastern edge of the suspected area. I saw plenty of deer, a surprise black bear cameo (my first aerial bear sighting!), but no Denver.
We landed and swapped out Ace Ventura’s batteries—yes, my drone is named after the pet detective. Within just a few minutes of the second flight, there he was: Denver, tangled in a mass of vines, looking like he regretted every decision that led to that point. He wasn’t far from the fence line either, just uphill, which made things much easier.
The family and friends rushed in to free him and guide him back to the stables. And let me tell you, seeing that young girl smile through her tears and give Denver a hug—that made every mile, every drop of caffeine, and every mosquito bite worth it.
Denver went straight for a well-earned snack, like any self-respecting horse after a six-hour adventure.
We’re still heartbroken over the loss of the other horse. My heart truly goes out to that young girl and her family. But I’m thankful I could be there to help bring one piece of good news out of a very difficult night.
Also, shoutout to Dakota Sanders for always showing up with snacks—and for accidentally leaving some behind. That bag of cashews kept me alive on the ride home