Skip to content

NOTRA hosts 27th annual ride-a-thon at Coldstream Ranch

The event raised over $5,000 for the non-profit.

The North Okanagan Therapeutic Riding Association’s goal is to redefine a horse lover’s reason to ride.

With a focus on therapeutic holistic health, the non-profit organization has been in existence since 1984 Sunday, NOTRA organizers and participants took to Coldstream Ranch to take part in the 27th annual fundraiser.

Related: Help heal with horses by supporting Vernon fundraiser

Related: Okanagan horse fundraiser a success

Horse therapy, also known as equestrian or equine-assisted therapy, is a versatile treatment program for recovery and aid for all kinds of medical conditions. This includes PTSD, autism and mood disorders. According to program director Dani Goldenthal, Coldstream Ranch has hosted the event since the first ride-a-thon.

“The original founder of the North Okanagan Riding Association used to own the ranch so that’s how it actually started out,” said Goldenthal. “So we’re pretty lucky to get to do this every year.”

After a rainy Saturday in Vernon, the sun peaked out Sunday morning just in time. Registration began at 9:30 a.m. with 30 participants taking to the trail around 10 a.m. The ride took participants about two hours to complete.

Livened up even further by adding a poker element, participants stopped at five stations strategically located throughout the ride to collect cards from staff. The two people with the best poker hand at the end of the ride won a prize.

Search and Rescue was also on site to make sure the ride went smoothly. The occasion concluded with a free lunch and a silent auction.

Those who raised the most money in the adult category and the youth category also won prize packages. For every $20 in pledges people brought in they also had their name put in the grand prize draw for a trip for two for two nights including breakfast in a standard cabin at Wells Gray Guest Ranch.

The ride-a-thon raised funds for the organization through pledges, donations and tack sales with all proceeds going towards running the non-profit group.

“At the end of the day, the event raised over $5,000,” said NOTRA fundraising chair Jennifer Knox. “We’re really pleased with that.”

Typically spring and fall riding sessions are held at O’Keefe Ranch near Vernon with weekly lessons are offered Monday- Thursday. Usually, about 70 to 80 clients take part in these riding sessions with a team of over 50 volunteers needed to support and run programs.

Unfortunately, Knox said, the fall sessions won’t be taking place this year. Instead, organizers are using the time to rebuild the program and find more volunteers.

“We are tweaking the program to best suit the riders and training more staff,” said Knox.

NOTRA is planning for sessions to resume early spring with fundraisers like the ride-a-thon helping ensure this is possible.

Related: Lake Country residents rally for horses on Okanagan Rail Trail

Related: Letter: Horse owner appreciates article

Related: Where horses are the teachers

To report a typo, email:
newstips@vernonmorningstar.com
.


Follow me on Twitter @BrieChar
Email me brieanna.charlebois@vernonmorningstar.com
Like us on
13719258_web1_180926-VMS-notra_2
13719258_web1_180926-VMS-notra_3
Thirty riders took part in the 27th annual ride-a-thon at Coldstream Ranch. (Brieanna Charlebois/Morning Star) Thirty riders took part in the 27th annual ride-a-thon at Coldstream Ranch. (Brieanna Charlebois/Morning Star)
13719258_web1_180926-VMS-notra_4
Sherry Beaudry (left) hands card to Diane Prinsen at one of five locations throughout the ride. The two people with the best poker hand at the end of the day won a prize. (Brieanna Charlebois/Morning Star)
13719258_web1_180926-VMS-notra_5
Colstream Ranch has hosted the event since the first ride-a-thon. (Brieanna Charlebois/ Morning Star)
13719258_web1_180926-VMS-notra_6
Emerson Rempel and Lauren Lochrie enjoy the two hour trail ride. (Brieanna Charlebois/ Morning Star)
13719258_web1_180926-VMS-notra_7
The ride-a-thon raised funds for the organization through pledges, donations and tack sales. (Brieanna Charlebois/ Morning Star)