SYV Therapeutic Riding Program’s Cowboy Ball

CELEBRATE HEALING THROUGH HORSES AT THE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY THERAPEUTIC RIDING PROGRAM’S 14th ANNUAL COWBOY BALL AT FOXEN CANYON RANCH

• The Cowboy Ball fundraiser is back for its 14th year and will be held at the beautiful Foxen Canyon Ranch

• Proceeds from the event benefit the life-changing programs offered by SYVTRP to 60 weekly students

• The event will take place on Saturday, September 21st, at 5 pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. Final day to purchase tickets is September 5th.

The Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program will host its annual Cowboy Ball fundraising event on Saturday, September 21st, at 5:00 pm at Foxen Canyon Ranch. The event will feature a top sirloin dinner by Chef Brett Stephen, local wine from Sunstone Winery, beers from Figueroa Mountain Brew Co, live music by Just Dave Band, parking by Zaca Mesa, and a shuttle service by Wine Country Tours. Final day to purchase tickets is September 5th.

The funds raised at the Cowboy Ball support the Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program by providing scholarships, maintaining the herd, and ensuring smooth facility operation. The program serves individuals of all ages and varying abilities, including those with cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, autism, Down syndrome, and more. Program Director Kim Dotzler has been involved with SYVTRP for almost 20 years. She says, “Year after year, I witness our horses’ profound impact on our participants. One little boy could sleep through the night for the first time after his first ride here. Another child spoke her first words on horseback. There are tons of physical and cognitive benefits of riding, and the powerful confidence booster it provides cannot be ignored.”

Our program is deeply grateful to acknowledge Mark Herthel at the Cowboy Ball this year. Mark is a dedicated community leader and philanthropist who has profoundly impacted the Santa Ynez Valley. As part owner of Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center and the co-founder and former CEO of Platinum Performance, he generously provided supplements to our herd at no cost, significantly contributing to their excellent health and longevity. Our horses, aged 17 to 31 years, are thriving thanks to his support.

The event also offers sponsorship opportunities, and we are grateful to our current sponsors: Wood-Claeyssens Foundation, Foxen Canyon Ranch, Montecito Bank and Trust, Charlotte’s Santa Ynez, Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, Rio Vista Chevrolet, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Wedmore Family, Mechanics Bank, Coast Hills Credit Union, Community Bank of Santa Maria, Jose Villa Photography, Lieff Ranch, and 105.9 KRAZy Country. We invite you to join us at the Cowboy Ball and support our cause.

Tickets for the Cowboy Ball event are $150 and include wine, local beers, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and lots of fun. For tickets and event details, visit www.syvtherapeuticriding.org/events. For more information, contact Jillian Knight at jillian@syvtherapeuticriding.org.

Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program serves northern Santa Barbara County and is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Intl. premier accredited center that partners with horses to provide equine-assisted services for children and adults with physical, learning, social, behavioral and emotional challenges — regardless of their ability to pay. More than 50 students attend the riding program each week.