May 2008 Hope & Horses Trail Ride

The first 2008 H&H Trail Ride will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008 at Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan, MN. We will be saddled up and ready to ride at 2:00 p.m. Please feel free to bring a picnic and join us afterwards (approximately 5:00 p.m.).

Trail passes can be purchased in advance via phone, by mail or on-line (season passes = $30.00, valid through November 30) or on the day of the ride (day passes = $5.00). Passes are only required for riders age 18 and older…passes are not required for riders 17 and younger.

Park information:
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecreation/CountyParks/Locations/LebanonHills/HorseTrail.htm

Trail pass application:
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/NR/rdonlyres/97662E9E-6EE1-4754-A667-F2C154C1E441/8062/2008HorseTrailPassApplication.pdf

Online trail pass renewal:
http://parks.co.dakota.mn.us/Start/start.asp?SCheck=728933660&SDT=39548.46003125

Trail map:
http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/NR/rdonlyres/00001f5b/qzofsvxiqmzcnnynivszsfsdivvouoss/2008LebanonHillsRPSummerTrailMap.pdf

A call to the local horse community for assistance:

Due to the imminent closure of a well-loved boarding facility in the south metro area, there are several horse owners searching for a new place to board, and also some owners that need to locate a source of good-quality grass hay. If you know of either, please email: hopeandhorses@live.com

Volunteering Opportunity

If you are looking for a “horsey” way to volunteer, Thisweek Life & Times newspaper published a story on April 5 about Majestic Hills Ranch (located just south of Lakeville) in need of volunteers (please see below).

http://www.majestichillsranch.com/

Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch

For an inspirational equine read, check out the books “Hope Rising” and “A Bridge Called Hope,” authored by Kim Meeder, founder of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch. Make sure you have a box of tissues close by!

http://www.crystalpeaksyouthranch.org/

Stories from the Ranch of Rescued Dreams

"Follow a horse where no one else can tread, through the minefield of pain that surrounds a broken child's soul. From a mistreated horse to an emotionally starved child and back again, a torrent of love revives their barren places. In the presence of unconditional love, a mute girl speaks for the first time. A defiant teenager teaches a horse to trust again...and opens his own heart to love. A rescued horse gives a dying man his last wish. A battered girl finds love and protection in the friendship of a battered horse... Come visit a place where the impossible flourishes, where dreams survive the inferno of reality-a place where hope rises."

Additional upcoming event:

2008 Minnesota Horse Expo
April 25, 26, 27 - Minnesota State Fairgrounds
http://www.mnhorseexpo.org/