Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center holding gala to support disabled riders

May 31—Local horse-based therapy nonprofit the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center invites the community to an evening of music, drinks and celebration at its annual fundraising gala on Saturday.

Held at the Boulder Jewish Community Center, the Boulder Beer Barn Bash will feature auctions, live music, and a tasting event with drinks from local breweries, wineries and distilleries. The event also includes an award ceremony recognizing the accomplishments of a few riders.

CTRC serves around 500 clients per year, from small children to older adults, on its roughly 40 acres of land south of Longmont. The nonprofit offers people with mental and physical disabilities therapeutic experiences through riding and bonding with horses.

"Horses can help someone on their journey of healing and health," said Executive Director Michele Bruhn. "We match a horse with a certain rider to help that person establish confidence and self esteem."

Bruhn called CTRC, which was founded in 1980, the oldest therapeutic riding organization in Colorado. Saturday's gala is the 43rd annual fundraising event for the nonprofit, and Bruhn attributes this milestone to the decades of community support. "That is what keeps us going," she said.

Saturday's keynote speaker is Boulder resident Jennifer Ochs, who was recently crowned Ms. Wheelchair Colorado 2023. Ochs rides with CTRC and has personally worked through several health problems over the past few years, which she'll address in her speech.

"She's advocating for people to get out there and do whatever they believe in, and to inspire them to keep going," Bruhn said of Ochs.

The nonprofit is working on expanding its programming after setbacks from the COVID-19 pandemic, but more therapeutic riding instructors are needed. Funds are currently being put toward maintenance projects like fixing fences and preparing the property for flood irrigation.

"There's so much to do," Bruhn said, "(but) this event is celebratory of our accomplishments."

The gala begins at 5 p.m. at the Boulder JCC, 6007 Oreg Ave. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased at ctrcinc.org.

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