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River Valley Riders Review - Fall 2023

In This Issue:

  • Your Invitation to the Round-Up Gala

  • Rider Spotlight: Gabby

  • Therapy Horse Spotlight: Cherry

  • Afton Facility Construction Update

  • Silent/Online Auction Preview

 

You are invited to the 20th Annual Round-Up Gala Dinner and Auction on Saturday, November 18th!

Please join us at the 2023 Round-Up Gala at the DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East!

Event Schedule:
New!!! 5:00-6:00pm Optional Early-Access Ticket with appetizers and drink ticket. Silent auction, cash bar, Pick-A-Card wine game, and live music by Tom Burnevik's TomTyme!
6:00-6:30pm Silent auction, cash bar, Pick-A-Card wine game and live music by Tom Burnevik's TomTyme continue!
6:30pm Dinner, program, premier auction, Fund-Our-Mission and Ears & Tails game!

Menu:
Mixed Green Salad (vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free)
Dinner Selections:
 - Lemon Chicken with garlic cream sauce served with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus (gluten free)
 - Bone-in Pork Chop with cranberry demi-glaze served with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus (gluten free)
 - Pasta Pomodoro: pappardelle pasta with seasonal vegetables tossed in a cashew tomato fondue (vegetarian)
Coffee and Dessert

** Please request any dietary restrictions in the notes section for each guest.

Tickets:
Individuals
6:00pm-9:00pm Dinner and Dessert $75.00 per person
or
New!!! Early Access 5:00pm-9:00pm Appetizers, Drink Ticket, Dinner and Dessert $100.00 per person

Reserved Table for Eight with Early Access
5:00pm-9:00pm Appetizers, Drink Ticket, Dinner and Dessert $800.00 per table

** After November 9th, prices increase $10.00 per person.

Location:
DoubleTree by Hilton Saint Paul East
(near I-94 and McKnight Road)
2201 Burns Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota, 55119

We will be inspired as our participants, their families and our volunteers share how RVR has improved their lives!  The accomplishments of 2023 will be celebrated!  We will enjoy live music by Tom Burnevik's TomTyme, delicious food and desserts!  There will be our silent auction, fun games supporting RVR and the opportunity of seeing old friends and meeting new ones!

This is your invitation to join us for a fabulous evening!  Tickets may be purchased by check or credit card by clicking the button below.  If you would like a printed invitation, please contact us at info@rivervalleyriders.org or call 651-439-2558. 

 

Spotlight on RVR Rider, Gabby
By Diane Carr, RVR Volunteer

At River Valley Riders, you may encounter a girl with a long braid and a sunshine smile.  This is Gabby who is seven years old and in her third year with RVR.  Gabby lives with Triplegic Cerebral Palsy. This means that she has stiffness in both legs and her right arm.  She also has challenges that slightly impact her speech.  There is so much more to Gabby than these conditions.  

Gabby’s mom, Angie, has nothing but praise for RVR.  She’s found that Gabby has improved in her speech. She has increased her number of words and length of phrases and is using "please" and "thank you" more often. Gabby is getting more comfortable with transitions between situations.  As much as she likes Leo for her therapy horse, she is much more accepting of different horses and different situations.  And most importantly, you can see the joy that radiates from Gabby when she is with a horse.

Angie believes horses are a source of many of the improvements that Gabby is experiencing.  Riding horses at RVR helps Gabby strengthen her leg muscles and improves her balance. Riding helps her to sit up straight. The natural gait of a horse mirrors the natural gait of a person, helping Gabby when she walks.

Angie’s goals for Gabby as she continues her riding are to increase her speech and add to her core strength.  She is hopeful that the horse’s movement helps with physical improvements for Gabby. Angie likes how RVR promotes new things with the riders with a “let’s give it a try” attitude. She is grateful that lessons with RVR are affordable. And, of course, she’s thankful for the joy and confidence Gabby obtains when riding a horse.

 

Spotlight on RVR Therapy Horse, Cherry
By Madison Bloomquist, RVR Volunteer

Nearly anyone who has passed through River Valley Riders in the last 10 years has met Cherry. The 20-year-old chestnut Paint has been a therapy horse with RVR for more than a decade. Her owner, Dale, lives just a few miles from RVR and often trail-rode down Neal Avenue when the facility opened. “I saw the signs go up and wanted to figure out what they were doing, and we started volunteering,” he says.

Cherry’s sweet and patient demeanor and even pace makes her an ideal therapy horse. When Cherry’s not weaving cones and walking the trails at RVR, Dale uses Cherry for trail rides, carriage and sleigh driving, and mounted patrol with Washington County. “She does a lot of parades,” he says.

Dale also owns Cherry’s daughter, a Paint-Friesian cross named Apple, and Romeo, a Gypsy Vanner that comes with Cherry and Dale to RVR.

Next time you see Cherry, give her a pet hello—she’ll love you forever!

 

Afton Facility Improvement Update

We are excited to share the completion of the Phase 2 new construction by RAM Buildings! Thank you to all supporters who have made this possible with your gifts!

The facility improvements include construction of a 54'x76' building with a finished observation room with windows into the existing indoor riding arena, indoor bathrooms, instructor office, classroom, heating and air-conditioning, and unfinished space for future expansion, plus a 34'x45' building for our wheelchair accessible mounting ramp.

Join us at the Round-Up Gala to hear how these improvements have improved the RVR experience for our participants, families and volunteers!

 

2023 Silent/Online Auction Preview

 
 
 

River Valley Riders
8362 Tamarack Village, Suite 119-440  Woodbury, Minnesota  55125
(651) 439-2558 | info@rivervalleyriders.org

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River Valley Riders (EIN# 41-1949447) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with support from individuals, foundations and corporations.  Your financial donation directly benefits the children and families served by River Valley Riders.  All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.  Financial statements will be provided upon request.

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