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CALENDAR of EVENTS
Check out the following article in the Ventura County Star
Harrison Ford and Councilman Greig Smith Join to Raise $614,000 at Ride On Benefit
Two independent efforts, months in the planning, joined together on June 5 to raise over $614,000 for the disabled riders of Ride On. A sold-out crowd of nearly 400 gathered under the beautiful Stoney Point Park to hear Harrison Ford praise Ride On and its therepeutic riding program serving the disabled, raising $214,000 in the process. At the same event, LA City Councilman Greig Smith chose the Hoofprints and Heartbeats Fundraiser to announce $400,000 in grant funding for a 2,700 square foot Education and Therapy Barn. The Barn will be dedicated to Ford's long-time agent, the late Pat McQueeney, who introduced Ford to Ride On when it first opened, over 16 years ago.
Councilman Smith, flanked by his Chief of Staff Mitch Englander and his staff presented a mockup of the check to Ride On. Two years ago, Ride On purchased the $1.1 million 3-acre ranch which adjoins the now city-owned Stoney Point Stables. Councilman Smith cited both projects as critical to preserving the area's equestrian heritage. "What a great marriage!" he said of the combined efforts of the City and Ride On. Ford thanked the City of Los Angeles concluding "We'll be able to advance the great works and programs of Ride On with this support."
This was Ride On's inaugural fundraiser at its new ranch on Topanga Canyon in Chatsworth. "We worked for years to gain a permanent home where we could serve Valley residents" said Executive Director Bryan McQueeney . "The ranch we are dedicating today will become a fixture serving the disabled for generations to come." The ranch comprising a 20-stall barn and three arenas opened in March. The new barn will provide a multi-purpose meeting area for workshops and training and therapy rooms for off-horse treatment.
Ride On has now given over 55,000 lessons to children and adults with disabilities from its two ranches in Chatsworth and Thousand Oaks . It also provides physical and occupational therapy using the movement of the horse to improve the quality of life for those with disabilities. It is the only nationally accredited program in all of Los Angeles and Ventura County to do so.
"The road to this point was not easy" McQueeney lamented, "In all, we are a bit short of halfway towards our $3 million goal. There are many projects still to do.We must invest in a strong foundation that will withstand good times and bad. Please help our efforts as we go forward." Call Executive Director Bryan McQueeney at 818-378-0963 or email our Development Director, Sara Jones , at for more information.
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