Project R.I.D.E. Inc.

The Kids Are Amazing!

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:00:20 +0000

I would like to thank you for the opportunity you have given me with Project R.I.D.E. Friday afternoons are something I look forward to. Not only do I get to help out with several volunteers who are as enthusiastic as I am, but the kids are amazing! I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. They are simply spectacular, and I am so grateful that you came to our class and offered us the opportunity to be part of a volunteer project that makes a difference in the world.

Chris M – Sacramento State Student

Project RIDE’s 11th Crab Feed Was Our Best Ever!

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:48:22 +0000

Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, the board of directors and staff, Project RIDE is pleased to announce the success of our largest annual fundraiser, the Shrimp and Crab Feed. Over 1700 guests enjoyed delicious salad, pasta and bread followed by huge shrimp and pound after pound of fresh crab. This event raises a large portion of our operating funds for the year and we are truly grateful for the continuing generosity of the Elk Grove and Sacramento communities. In fact, some guests arrived from out of state, having heard the rumors of the biggest and best crab feed in the Western US. A big screen TV, a Wii, a gun safe and over 50 incredible raffle prizes were the highlight of the evening, which benefited our therapeutic horseback riding program for people with special needs.

Photo credit: Kati Garner

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Rest in Peace, Baylee

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:31:58 +0000

Recently we lost one of our young students, Baylee Tadlock. Baylee participated in our program for many years and was a staff and volunteer favorite. We will miss you, Baylee.

Please click here if you are interested in remembering Baylee with a donation to Project R.I.D.E.

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Give a Day, Get a Disney Day with Project R.I.D.E.

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:06:46 +0000

Project R.I.D.E. has partnered with Hands On Sacramento to reward your volunteer service with a free ticket to Disneyland or Disneyworld!

More details to come soon; please visit the Give a Day, Get A Disney Day website for more information about this program.

Country Fair and Horse Show a Huge Success

admin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:12:37 +0000

Project R.I.D.E. volunteers, students and their families, and members of the general public came together to enjoy a good old-fashioned Country Fair and Horse Show on October 24th. Visitors enjoyed fresh home-baked goodies at our Baked Goods table, fun games and activities, and viewed our horseback riding lessons inside the arena. Much fun was had by all and we raised a significant amount to support our Jockey Club, which provides scholarships to students who cannot afford our lesson fees.

Project RIDE Champion Brianna Receives her Trophy

Project RIDE Volunteers Get Together to Bake Apple Pies

The face painting and crazy hair booths were very popular

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Project R.I.D.E. Celebrates Young Volunteers

admin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:27:51 +0000

SLI Volunteers Sylvia Bauer, Katie Martinez, Ashleigh Simmons and Courtney Crossman with Volunteer Coordinator Marisa DeSalles, kneeling

What do Miss Teen Folsom, a championship Dressage rider, and the State Fair Grand Reserve Champion for eggs have in common? They’re all part of Project R.I.D.E.’s Summer Leadership Institute! This summer, Project R.I.D.E. developed a pilot program for highly motivated teen volunteers. In exchange for committing to spending 100 hours volunteering with us, the youth received special training and workshops, and were promoted after training to Leaders, who are in charge of the horse throughout our therapeutic riding lessons.

All extremely high achievers to begin with, the teen participants expanded their resumes this summer to include: producing a fundraising horse show that benefited Project R.I.D.E. with over $900; winning Champion in division while riding Arabian horses in dressage; and raising 33 Rhode Island Red hens whose eggs won Grand Reserve Champion in the State Fair! Individually and collectively they are simply wonderful young people, and it has been our pleasure to get to know them.

We could not be prouder of these young people. They represent our hope for the future of this country, and we are honored that they chose to spend time with us helping people with special needs achieve new heights.

This successful pilot will expand next summer. Inquire today about opportunities for teen volunteers in Summer 2010! ride@projectride.org

Volunteer-run horse show raises $900 for R.I.D.E.

admin — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:39:26 +0000

Every time we think we have seen the limits of what Project R.I.D.E. volunteers can do, we are proven wrong. On Sunday, July 26, Courtney Crossman, a participant in our Summer Leadership Institute, produced a benefit horse show and donated the proceeds to Project R.I.D.E.’s “Jockey Club” tuition assistance program. The participants in Project R.I.D.E.’s Summer Leadership Institute are highly motivated teen volunteers who commit to volunteering for 100 hours over the summer as well as completing a final project. The horse show, which was Courtney’s final project, raised $900 which equals 45 half-hour lessons for children whose families cannot afford our services.

On behalf of Project R.I.D.E.’s staff, Board of Directors and all our students, we are incredibly grateful to Courtney and to the Los Lagos Equestrian Center, which hosted the event. In difficult financial times like these, every source of funding for nonprofits like ours is threatened, and we depend more than ever on the generosity of the people in the greater Sacramento region. THANK YOU!

Pictures coming soon …

Welcome Baby Scooter

admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:15:23 +0000

Sassy, our pet goat at our ranch in Herald, had her baby last week. After a contest at the arena our caretakers have chosen “Scooter” for his name. Enjoy the photo album!

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Over the Hill Gang Car Show a Huge Success

admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:13:30 +0000

What a fun day! 300 amazing cars, burgers, dogs, sausages and chili, then topped it off with pie and ice cream!

Each year the Over the Hill Gang presents this classic car show to benefit our therapeutic horseback riding program. This year it was in a new location, the historic McFarland Ranch in Galt.

Our student judge, Andre, chose his favorite car as the Project RIDE winner of the day. It was a beautiful black Barracuda with red stripes. They had 18 categories to be judged.

Our wonderful volunteers and volunteer Board members began at 5:00 am preparing coffee and doughnuts, and ended their day about 5:30 p.m.

Our thanks to the Over the Hill Gang and all the people who came to support Project R.I.D.E. on Saturday. If you didn’t get enough of the classic cars, stay tuned for the Challengers Car Show on July 26th at the Project R.I.D.E. arena!

Project R.I.D.E. Wins First Place in Western Festival Parade

admin — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:52:53 +0000

Well, it’s happened again: thanks to the incredible efforts of our Western Festival Committee, Project R.I.D.E. is proud to announce that we have again won first place in the 2009 Elk Grove Western Festival. Our parade float, Harnessing the Magic to Change Lives for 30 Years, represented Project R.I.D.E.’s illustrious history of providing therapeutic horseback riding for people with special needs.

Our Parade Entry

We developed an 8-foot cowboy silhouette, “Wyatt”, breaking through a banner reading “Harnessing the Magic to Change Lives”. Our float showcased costumed students and volunteers on various “horses”. In the front of our procession a gathering of models in historical costume wowed the crowd, and our roving band of Project R.I.D.E. ambassadors delivered treats to delighted children in the audience while spreading messages about the benefits of horseback riding and our ongoing need for volunteers.

The success of this event depended entirely on the efforts of our wonderful Western Festival Committee, spearheaded by Sally Bergen and Betty Evans. We are eternally grateful that we have such wonderful volunteers to represent our organization. On behalf of the Project R.I.D.E. staff and Board of Directors, we THANK YOU for making us #1!

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