Ride With Pride, Inc.

On Saturday October 2nd, William “Bill” Wood came to Cabin Creek Stables for a day of Saddle Fitting and Equine Massage demonstrations.  After reviewing the importance of balance and pressure, and discussing how saddles influence performance, Bill worked with Ride With Pride volunteers and horses to demonstrate basic saddle fitting techniques. This was followed by hands-on demonstrations of equine massage therapy.

The Saddle Fitter, Inc.

Much to the disappointment of riders and volunteers, the threat of Hurricane Ivan was too much for the September 18th Student Horse Show.  However, thanks to the generous support of the stable management and the hard work of Ride With Pride’s dedicated volunteers, the show took place on Saturday October 9th. 

Due to absence of our usual riding arena, the show was moved up the hill to Cedar Creek’s dressage arena.  Lack of fencing, mounting ramps and electricity were just a few obstacles the work crew had in store for them when they began preparing the new venue.  In anticipation of this move, the horses were exercised in the new arena several weeks in advance in order to overcome their

           Hurricane Ivan Delays Fall Horse Show

uncertainty about the new surroundings. After all the hard work, the show was a great success and a fun day for riders, spectators and volunteers.  Even Lilly, the star of Donkey Plop Bingo, played her part and “plopped” on a square owned by Andrea Rexrode. An afternoon ceremony dedicated the show to Joe Massie, a strong supporter and advocate for foster youth and Ride With Pride.

Ride With Pride would like to thank everyone who worked hard to make this show a success: our judge, Joe Butterworth; our announcer, Rob Anoka; Kevin Johnson and Joe Butterworth for their riding demonstrations; Riley Shiflet for the use of his golf cart; Vanessa Cooper and Shirley Baird for their help with the yard sale; Kathy Crook, Joan Free,

Program Sponsorships

Ride With Pride has been chosen as the recipient of two generous donations: $6,000 for operating expenses from the Staunton-Augusta Association of Realtors, Inc. (SAAR) and $5,000 from the Houff Foundation in support of the Ride With Pride’s new Special Olympics Equitation Program beginning in March of 2005. Training sessions are scheduled for March and June to coincide with the May 21 and August 20 Special Olympics competitions.

Maggie Powers, and Ma Winters for their help with concessions; Sarah Williams our horse stager; Cathy Blinn and Jane Steele in charge of our riders and volunteers; and Tom Rose as our ring spotter. A special thanks to all the generous individual and corporate sponsors, volunteers, families and friends.  Thank you for the support and encouragement of our program.