Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association

🎉 Completely Sold Out! 🎉

Yeehaw! We’re all geared up and ready to dance in the dirt — we’re at full capacity and have NO ability to accommodate tickets at the door.

Thank you to everyone for your incredible interest, support and enthusiasm around our Boots, Buckles & BBQ charity fundraiser! 🙌 A huge shout out to our amazing sponsors for helping make this event a reality.

We’re galloping towards Friday, where the fun kicks off at 5:30 PM with mouthwatering BBQ, awesome company, and a night full of good times! Get ready to rock those boots and buckles — we can’t wait to see you there! 🤠🍖

🌟 Sponsor Spotlight: Trail Breaking Sponsors 🌟

Summit, An Earth Services Company
Kasko Cattle Company
Independent Crop Inputs
Oliver Irrigation
CCWG Lethbridge - AB
Andres Trailer Sales
The Rural Woman Podcast
International Ltd

We are excited to highlight our incredible Trail Breaking Sponsors for the 41st annual "Joanne Perlich Ride for Dreams fundraiser"! The two-day event features the ‘Boots, Buckles & BBQ’ dinner, auction, and concert with El Mule, followed by a group trail ride where participants gather pledges to support our cause.

Thanks to the generous support of our Trail Breaking Sponsors, we’re able to continue expanding our reach and making a lasting impact. Together, we’re breaking new ground and guiding more individuals toward brighter futures! 🐴❤️

🎉 SOLD OUT! 🎉

Wow! We are completely overwhelmed by the incredible support for our Boots, Buckles & BBQ event — we’re officially SOLD OUT! 🙌🔥

A huge thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and to our amazing sponsors for making this event a huge success. We can't wait to see all of you next Friday at 5:30 PM for a night filled with delicious BBQ, great company, and fun times!

Stay tuned for more updates, and see you soon with your boots and buckles on! 🤠🍖

A huge thank you to the 94.1 CJOC, 98.1 The Ranch and the Allied Marketing Group for selecting us as a recipient of the Community Voice Fund; helping us spread the work about great things being done at LTRA!

Kale Hayes from Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association dropped by the station to share all the good work his organization does for our community. They’re this month’s recipient of CJOC’s Community Voice Fund with Allied Marketing Group. Find out how your organization could also get free advertising on My Lethbridge Now Dot Com. Look for The Community Voice Tab. - April & Scott

🎶 Big News! 🎶 We are beyond excited to announce that 98.1 The Ranch, your favorite country music station, has joined us as our Pony Express: Media Sponsor for the Ride4Dreams event! 🤠🎸

Our shared love for all things country has brought us together, but it’s their genuine care for our community that truly sets them apart. Their support is helping us spread the word about the incredible work we do at LTRA, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Be sure to tune in to 98.1 The Ranch or check them out online to hear all about our events, plus some upcoming interviews that dive into who we are and our mission.

Thank you, 98.1 The Ranch, for standing with us and supporting our mission to make a difference through equine-assisted therapy! 🎵🐴

,Buckles&BBQ

🌟 Exciting News - New Riding Lessons! 🌟

We are thrilled to announce that we are launching our new riding lessons September 4th and the addition of our new instructor Jay Skoog! The lessons listed on our website are open to the general public. Additional adapted lessons will be offered to specialized groups.

We can't brag on Jay enough. He is a certified coach through CHA (in both English & Western disciplines), owner of Foundations Skill Centre, 4H horse club leader, trainer, farrier, clinician & an equine-assisted learning (EAL) facilitator! Whether you're looking to start your riding journey, improve your riding skills, or brush up on what you already know, Jay is here to help you succeed with multiple levels of instruction available. He has the knowledge & skill to guide you towards meeting your equestrian-related goals! Jay brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping riders of all levels build strong, trusting relationships with horses.

Jay and his wife Amber (also EAL certified) are no strangers to LTRA. They have previously partnered with us to offer impactful programs such as empowerment retreats and peer-to-peer programming in partnership with youth leaders from a local 4H group. We are beyond excited to collaborate with them to bring even more opportunities and expand the equine-wellness services we are able to offer to our community!

For more information about the Riding Lesson Program, please visit the webpage available through the link below. We hope to see you there!

Register today— Spots are Limited!
https://ltra.ca/programs/recreational-programming/riding-lessons

🌟 A huge shoutout to Perlich Bros. Auction Market Ltd. for their incredible support! 🎉

Providing this year's Auction in the Arena is Perlich Bros. Auction Market Ltd. They continue to show their dedication to our organization and the community. Known for their outstanding service in the auction market, they have been a cornerstone of the agricultural industry. Fun Fact: Did you know, Joanne Perlich originally founded LTRA in 1976? We love this family and are grateful for their ongoing support!

We're thrilled to have them on board for our Murray Chevrolet Cadillac "Boots, Buckles & BBQ" event, making a difference with every bid.

Join us on Friday, Sept 13 at 5:30 PM and let’s make this auction unforgettable—because the fun starts with your bid! 🚀

Come on down to Western Stockman for a Charity BBQ in support of the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association. Put on by some great community supports, the festivities kick off at 11:00am today!

Onyx Realty Red Door YQL Western Stockman Mortgage Group Dennis' Dirtworx Ltd A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections Lethbridge

🌟 Sponsor Spotlight 🌟

We are excited to highlight Dennis' Dirtworx Ltd , an outstanding excavating company from Southern AB, known for getting the job done right! 🚜 Dennis is a big community supporter, and we are incredibly thankful for his unwavering support of our cause.

As our Watering Hole Sponsor, Dennis Dirtworx LTD is making sure everyone stays hydrated with every dance move at the Boots, Buckles & BBQ charity fundraiser on September 13th. Be sure to show him some love and appreciation!

Join us in thanking Dennis Dirtworx LTD for their amazing support and dedication to our community. 🙌

We’re beyond excited to share that our friends at Deg Forages Ltd. are the 'Dancing in the Dirt' entertainment sponsor! 🎉✨ Thanks to their incredible support, our event is going to shine even brighter. Join us on September 13th for a fantastic night of live music and dancing.

💃🕺 We can’t wait to celebrate with you on the dance floor! 🙌

🎟The event is almost sold out! Hurry and get your tickets before they're gone!🎟
https://ltra.ca/events/ride-for-dreams -tickets,-sponsor-the-event-and/or-register-for-the-ride

As we wrap up our final visit for the summer, we're deeply grateful for the 'Horses in The Park' visits! ✨

Bringing our therapeutic horses to the park with the amazing AHS team is always a rewarding experience. We love meeting new people, connecting with wonderful Elders, and offering park visitors a moment of peace with the horses. It's truly unbeatable! 🐴❤️

Want a chance to win two tickets to the Boots, Buckles & BBQ charity fundraiser? Enter to win on the original post made by Rocking Heart Ranch LTD.! 🐴

All you have to do is tell them about how your horse has helped improve your well-being followed with a photo of your horse!

As we know, our equine companions have a huge impact on our mental and physical health. And we want to celebrate that bond! 🌟

Comment below a photo of your horse and tell us how they've helped improve your well-being. Our favourite comment will win two tickets to the Murray Chevrolet Cadillac "Boots, Buckles & BBQ" which will be held at the LTRA arena on September 13th. 🎟

This BBQ will take place the day before the 41st annual Joanne Perlich 'Ride4Dreams' Trail Ride at Pavan Park. We are so happy to be the Trail Lunch Sponsor of this event.

To learn more about Ride4Dreams and Boots, Buckles & BBQ visit https://ltra.ca/events/ride-for-dreams.

🐴🎉 Welcoming Our Newest Stars! 🎉🐴

We are overjoyed to introduce four wonderful new additions to our program herd: Miss Pea, Nora, Dudley, and Benny! 🐎✨ Thanks to the incredible support and fundraising efforts by our volunteer task forces and generous donors over the past year, these beautiful horses have joined our family. As many of you know, our beloved herd is aging, with several cherished members now semi-retired. The arrival of Miss Pea, Nora, Dudley, and Benny ensures we can continue to offer transformative experiences to our participants while providing our senior horses with the care they deserve in their golden years.

We are also excited to announce that these new horses are looking for sponsors! 🏆🐴 Sponsoring a horse is a meaningful way to contribute to their well-being and ensure they thrive in their vital roles. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Tax Receipts: Your sponsorship is eligible for a tax receipt.
Recognition: Have your name published on our website.
Perfect Gift: Make a wonderful gift for horse lovers.
Sponsorships are available in 1-month, 6-month, or 1-year terms. By sponsoring a horse, you directly contribute to their care, covering essential expenses like vetting, farriers, treatments, and feed, which are critical to their health and comfort.

To learn more about each horse and how you can support them, visit https://ltra.ca/about-us/meet-our-horses to view individual profiles or use the form provided to sign up for a sponsorship.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for believing in our mission and supporting our journey. Together, we are making a profound impact! ❤️

🚨 Don't Miss Out! Early Bird Pricing Ends Soon! 🚨

Join us for Murray Chevrolet Cadillac's 'Boots, Buckles & BBQ' charity fundraiser and get your table at a special early bird rate! 🌟

🗓️ Date: September 13, 2024
📍 Location: Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association (6km east of Lethbridge on HWY 512)

Enjoy a night of delicious BBQ, live music, and a whole lot of fun, all while supporting a great cause. But hurry, early bird pricing ends on August 15th! ⏳

Secure your table NOW before prices go up! Click the link to reserve: https://ltra.ca/events/ride-for-dreams -tickets,-sponsor-the-event-and/or-register-for-the-ride

Tag your friends and get ready to boot-scoot-boogie with us! 🤠🍖🎶

🐴✨ Huge shoutout to our amazing supporter, Western Stockman ! 🐴✨

We're beyond grateful for their generous support of the Joanne Perlich Ride for Dreams as our Buckaroo Sponsor. Thanks to Western Stockman, we have a fantastic line up of prizes for our riders, making this event even more special! Be sure to check them out for any of your western needs! 🤠

Western Stockman is more than just a store; they're a community cornerstone, offering exceptional service and top-notch products for all your equestrian needs. From tack to apparel, they have everything you need to ride in style and comfort.

Thank you, Western Stockman, for your incredible support and dedication! 🐎💖



🎟To purchase tickets and learn more, visit our website now, https://ltra.ca/events/ride-for-dreams!

🎉Murray Chevrolet Cadillac - Lethbridge, is buckled up for another year as the title sponsor for our charity fundraiser event - 'Boots, Buckles & BBQ'! 🤠🔥We're excited and thankful for their support!

Get ready for an unforgettable night filled with a live auction, food, dancing and fantastic music, all in support of the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association.

Don’t miss out on this incredible evening! Grab your tickets and dancing boots now and be part of something special. ⏳👇

🎟️ https://ltra.ca/events/ride-for-dreams

🌟 Shoutout to our Amazing Therapeutic Riding Lead Coach, Eilish! 🌟

For over 12 incredible years, Eilish has been an integral part of the LTRA family, and we cannot express enough how much we value her dedication to our cause. Her strong connection with all our therapeutic riders and their families, our horses, and all the animals on the farm is truly inspiring. Eilish, your unwavering commitment and passion have touched countless lives and brought so much joy and healing to our community.

Not only is Eilish a phenomenal coach at LTRA, but she is also the talented owner and osteopath at Manetain Motion. Her expertise and care extend beyond our farm, making a positive impact wherever she goes.

Thank you for everything you do, Eilish. We could not be more grateful for your hard work, compassion, and the positive impact you make every day. You are truly appreciated and cherished by all of us at LTRA! 💖🐴

🌟 Sponsor Spotlight: Rocking Heart Ranch 🌟

We are thrilled to announce Rocking Heart Ranch LTD. as our Trail Lunch Sponsor for the Joanne Perlich Ride for Dreams fundraiser! This event is comprised of two parts being the ‘Boots, Buckles & BBQ’ dinner, auction & concert featuring El Mule! The trail ride takes place the second day in which riders collect pledges before hitting the trail as a group. Rocking Heart Ranch’s generous support ensures that all our participants are fueled up and ready to ride for a cause.

We share a special connection with Rocking Heart Ranch, with one of their team members having served as our former President. Beyond being incredible community supporters, Rocking Heart Ranch is a cornerstone of Alberta’s equine industry and produces some of the finest horses around! They have recently been honored with the prestigious Canadian Quarter Horse Association “2023 Ranch Breeder of the Year” 🏆🐴

Thank you, Rocking Heart Ranch, for all you do for LTRA and our community. We encourage everyone to check out their multiple services, clinics, and amazing horses! https://www.ridewaterton.com

🌞🏕️ Summer Camp Update! 🌞🏕️

We’re halfway through our summer camps, and what an incredible journey it’s been so far!! 🎉

From exciting outdoor activities to creative workshops, our campers have been making memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to all our amazing campers, staff, and volunteers for making these weeks so special!

Stay tuned for more fun and excitement in the coming weeks. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the summer holds! 🌟



📸✨ Share your favorite camp moments with us!

✨🐴 Highlighting our “Building Connections Derby: 4H Partnership Project”! 🐎✨

We are excited to showcase our Building Connections Derby pilot and the two amazing youth spearheading it, Alora and Shelby. Thank you to all the participants for being a part of something new and to the Raymond 4H Horse Club youth for sharing their knowledge and experience.

This youth-led initiative, supported by a “Youth in Action” grant from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, focuses on peers mentoring peers, fostering skills in horsemanship, trying a variety of new events, teamwork and leadership. Oversaw by coaches, the amazing 4H youth supports have volunteered their time to teach participants during monthly sessions since March.

The best part? All of this culminates in an exciting event scheduled for September. Participants - supported by their 4H Teammates - get to show off their newly learnt skills to their families and friends in the first ever “Building Connections Derby”.

A special thank you to Western Stockman for always supporting LTRA and to your staff for helping our contestants look their western-best on Derby Day!

🤠 Ready for an unforgettable night out? 🌟

Join us on September 13th for the Murray Chevrolet Cadillac 'Boots, Buckles & BBQ' charity fundraiser! 🎉

Enjoy a live concert featuring the incredible band El Mule, mouth-watering BBQ catered by MA Catering, and a live auction – all while contributing to LTRA’s continued mission. It's sure to be a fantastic time for a great cause!

But that's not all! Our celebrations continue on September 14th with the family-friendly Joanne Perlich 'Ride For Dreams' Trail Ride. A staple of this fundraiser since its inception, this event has participants collect pledges to sponsor their participation in the ride in support of LTRA. Together, we’ll traverse beautiful landscapes, have fun, enjoy each other’s company, and ride for a reason – raising funds and awareness for the therapeutic services provided by LTRA.

To purchase tickets and learn more, visit our website now, https://ltra.ca/events/ride-for-dreams!

🎟️ Let's ride, dance, and make a difference together! 🚴‍♂️💭

🌟 Spotlight on Community Support: Jessica Mosby 🌟

At Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association, we are grateful for the incredible community support that makes our programs possible. In addition to our amazing volunteers working in our programs, we have individuals who support us behind the scenes to make what we do possible. Today, we are thrilled to recognize one of these remarkable individuals: Jessica Mosby.

Jessica, a Senior Financial Advisor at ATB in Lethbridge, Alberta, specializes in wealth management and crafting customized comprehensive wealth plans and portfolios. But her impact goes far beyond her professional expertise.

Using her creativity and passion, Jessica conceived our annual "Denim, Diamond & Derby" fundraising gala, featuring a "live" video horse race with our beloved program horses as the star athletes. This unique and exciting event has been a tremendous success, enabling us to expand our programming and even welcome a new program horse to our team!

Beyond her innovative contributions, Jessica is one of the kindest and most uplifting people you could ever meet. She has been a mentor and a source of inspiration for our entire team.

Thank you, Jessica, for your unwavering support and dedication. We are exceptionally grateful for everything you do for LTRA and our community! 🌟❤️

And to all our friends and supporters, mark your calendars! The "Denim, Diamond & Derby" event happens each May. Keep an eye out for announcements so you can join us for an evening of fun and support for a great cause!

A huge thank you to JPHequip.com for being a major sponsor and sharing these great pictures from our recent Drive4Dreams golf tournament. We can’t do what we do without the support of our community. The JPH team members are top shelf and some even volunteer in our programming! Please show your support to those who support our community and help us acknowledge this great group.

⭐️⛳️🏌️‍♂️ Join Us for the Servus Credit Union ‘Drive4Dreams’ Charity Golf Tournament!🏌️‍♂️⛳️ ⭐️

This weekend is your last chance to register for our highly anticipated Servus Credit Union ‘Drive4Dreams’ Golf Charity Tournament! Come out and enjoy a fantastic day of golf while supporting a great cause!

Don't miss the opportunity to participate and make a difference in our community. Check out our page to see the incredible sponsors who make our work possible - they are truly amazing community members.

For more information or to register your team, visit: https://ltra.ca/events/golf-tournament).

We look forward to seeing you on the course!

Drive for Dreams Charity Golf Tour... | Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association Each year LTRA hosts a Golf Tournament to help increase the wellbeing of children that seek therapy with the LTRA program.

🌟🐎 Wanted: Our Next Unicorns for the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association!🐎 🌟

For the reasons mentioned below and the intended use, we have some particulars we are seeking. These are:

• Age: 7-20 years old
• Gender: Goofy geldings are preferred, but mares are welcome if friendly with others (group classes). No stallions, no exceptions.
• Height: Preference for horses under 17 hands.
• Soundness: Horses must have a free-moving stride and be comfortable at walk, trot, and canter, with or without a rider. Horse with a history of founder or requiring injections will not be considered.
• Condition and Conformation: Good physical condition & conformation is a must.
• Personality/Temperament: For our level of riders, we love the 'more whoa than go' type. We seek horses that are tolerant, enjoy attention & getting loved on, have excellent ground manners, and can handle multiple handlers while being ridden. They should be calm, forgiving, and able to tolerate unexpected shouts or movements. Comfortability in and out of the arena is an asset.
• Training: While we don’t require a horse with all the buttons, we cannot accept green or untrained horses. The horses you’d throw your kiddos or grandma on are the ones we are after!
• Budget: Being a charity our budget is limited. However, we can offer mid to high 4-figures for the perfect mount(s). We are also able to supplement this purchase with a tax receipt for anyone looking to donate or partially donate a horse.

Conditions:
• Trial: We are willing to come to you to test out the prospective horse(s) or haul them to our arena. However, given those we serve, safety is paramount so we will not make unseen offers.
• Vet Check: All horses being considered for acceptance into the LTRA program herd must undergo a veterinary examination prior to acceptance or have available examination documentation dated within 30-days of the proposed acceptance date. Fees associated with the veterinary examination will be covered by LTRA.

Your horse will receive quality care & plenty of love and attention. Our horses are turned out any time they are not in class and able to live in as horses with their herd mates. Please feel free to share this post and help us find new equine companions! Your horse could be the next star in our program, making a significant difference in the lives of those we serve!

Know of a horse that might fit the bill? Please send us a message with more information or reach out to our Executive Director via email at: [email protected]

Thank you!

We couldn’t be prouder of our very own Amanda Ervin! 👏 Amanda conducted a portion of her important research at LTRA and it is now being published! Also, she has recently stepped into the role of Vice President of our Board of Directors.

A heartfelt thank you and shout out also goes to our talented therapeutic coach, Eilish Short. 🌟 Her approach and care for those we serve are truly second to none.

We are fortunate to have such dedicated and talented individuals on our team. Check out the news story to learn more about their incredible work! 🐴

University of Lethbridge study shows benefits of therapeutic riding - Lethbridge | Globalnews.ca Research conducted by a recent University of Lethbridge graduate has provided compelling evidence for the effectiveness of horse therapy.

🐴🌟 Exciting Opportunity! 🌟🐴

As our programs continue to expand, LTRA is seeking additional riding coaches who align with our organization's vision and values. If you have a passion for working with horses and riders, and you believe you would be a great addition to our team, we want to hear from you!

Please send your resume and a summary of your experience to: [email protected]