It is time to sign up for the Intermountain Horse Association’s Poker Ride this September 10th in Alderfer Three Sisters Park.  My son Asher and I have fond memories of the Poker Ride last year, as we were the winners of close to $500!  Amazingly, we had the two best hands - not bad for a seven year old and his mom who had never played poker before!  Knowledge of poker is obviously not required for this fundraiser, just the desire to get out with your horses and ride (or lead) in one of our beautiful parks.  The entry fee is put in the pot which is split between the winning hand and three local non-profits – the Evergreen Parks and Recreation District’s (ERPD) Special Needs Program, Harmony HorseWorks Equine Sanctuary and Jeffco HEAT (Horse Evacuation Assistance Team).  The more entries, the more we win and support these important organizations! 

Overall, IHA seeks to represent our local horse community. They sponsor monthly meetings every third Tuesday at the Evergreen Beau Joes relating to the latest local horse issues and information.  Plus, IHA members socialize and network with other horse people through a trail ride, clinic and two other gatherings during the year.  In addition to the Poker Ride in September, IHA was involved with two other fundraising events this year. 

 In May, IHA and the Colorado State Department of Agriculture co-sponsored a microchipping event allowing local horse owners to get their horse’s microchipped for identification purposes and to help in times of evacuation.  Microchipping, fairly routine in small animals, is now gaining ground in horse identification.  This event accepted $750 dollars in donations for HEAT – our nationally known Horse Evacuation Assistance Team.  On June 24th, IHA also co-sponsored the “Horse Art Show” with Evergreen Fine Arts at the Evergreen Fine Art Gallery.  The proceeds were donated to our local Colorado Horse Care Food Bank (horsefoodbank.org), Harmony HorseWorks (harmonyhorseworks.com) and HEAT (jeffcoheat.org).

ERPD co-sponsors the Poker Ride with IHA and generously provides the grounds, insurance and permit.  Members register early for $25 or non-members for $30 – add an extra $5 if you wait until after September 4th. The Poker Ride is taken completely at each rider or groups own pace.    Riders leave as they wish around 9 a.m. and return in time to turn in their hand by noon.  Asher and I sauntered along at a walk, enjoying the view and time to get out and ride together.  Five stations are set up along the route where you draw one card per station.  Members of IHA record each pick on your own card received at registration.  When you return, your hand is tallied and the winner is determined.  While the horses rest at the trailers happily munching on hay, IHA serves participants a great lunch where the winner is announced at 12:30pm.  Sign up today for a fun ride to support local organizations and meet new horse folks!

Get all of the information for the Poker Ride at intermountainhorse.com or contact Carolyn Knapp-Nelson at 720-985-7107 / equinehands@comcast.net.   To join the Intermountain Horse Association, find more information on the website or just attend a monthly meeting September through May, 6:30pm in the Beau Joes meeting room.  Membership fees are $25 for individuals or $35 for a family.  Join them for the first fall meeting Tuesday September 20th, where Dr. Amy Norton will be presenting about her trip to Mongolia with Veterinarians Without Borders.