By JOHN McCALLUM
Editor
West Plains' area residents are invited to boogie away some of their winter blues while helping to raise money for a horseback riding program benefiting people with disabilities.
Free Rein Therapeutic Riding's Barn Dance takes place Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Lincoln Center, 1315 North Lincoln St., in Spokane. Proceeds from the event will benefit the program based at Westar Ranch, located on Ramona about 2.5 miles south of the Cheney-Spokane Road.
The Barn Dance includes barbecue catered by Glover Mansion, a no host bar and lively bluegrass music from the Northern Idaho Hat Band. For those who can't dance, and even for those who can cut a mean rug, there will be a silent auction and a “funny money” casino with blackjack and roulette.
There will also be prizes awarded for the best belt buckle, boots and hat, so come in your fanciest duds. Founded in summer 2008, Free Rein is committed to keeping fees affordable so everyone can ride and get the therapeutic benefits and recreation fun even if they can't afford the cost of lessons. It's the only program of its kind in the Spokane area and currently serves 30 riders.
“We hope to be up to 40 riders by spring,” program director Sandy Jones said. The program has an eventual goal of 100 in the near future.
Jones said several riders from the West Plains area use Free Rein, which is situated on Westar's 100-acre, three-arena facility with 70 horses at its disposal. Besides individual riders, Jones said Free Rein is also working with area schools, including Cheney, to hopefully provide opportunities to students with needs.
“The expression on a child or adult's face is indescribable as they experience the thrill of victory controlling a 1,200-pound animal,” Jones said. “This builds self confidence and motivates the rider to progress their skills beyond where they thought they could go.”
Tickets are $75, and RSVPs can be made online at [email protected] or by phone at 509-979-1458.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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