The 2011 Ride for Literacy is planning to raise money for a present problem — local literacy rates.
“Initially, we thought that it would be nice to do a ride across B.C. to raise money for communities throughout B.C. – but seeing as this was our first year we thought we should scale it back and focus on an overnight ride in the Fraser Cascade area,” says Maureen Kehler, the literacy outreach coordinator for the Fraser Cascade area. “But, we are laying the foundation for 2012 Ride across BC.”
The 2011 Ride for Literacy will take riders on a two-day overnight trip into the backcountry in support of literacy. All funds raised go towards the Fraser Cascade Literacy Centre and the Back Country Horsemen of BC, the co-sponsor of the ride.
“We have had wonderful support from local sponsors, feed stores and tack shops for this ride. There are still a few spots left if there are any riders in the community who would like to participate.”
All riders are welcome but they have to be registered with Horse Council of BC and be experienced working with and around horses. The ride will take riders along the historic Dewdney Trail and camp in Paradise Valley. Supper and breakfast, entertainment and a small clinic on backcountry riding skills will be included as well. “The purpose is to raise money for literacy and to introduce riders to the beauty and connection that comes from riding the backcountry. The benefit for the riders who haven’t camped out with their horses is that they can go there, experience it, and learn valuable skills that they can use in the future – but we do all the preparation and planning,” says Kehler.
The 2011 Ride for Literacy is a pledge ride that will take place September 24-25. "The ride will be amazing, and the scenery is remarkable. We have many nice horse related prizes that will be for everything from ‘top pledge earner’ to ‘most graceful dismount,’” says Kehler.
For more information, or to register contact Maureen or Darla at 604 869 2279 or email maureen@freereinassociates.ca.