Trail ride helps raise $2,500 for Reindancer

PHOTO COURTESY OF DEBBIE GASTELU Jim Clyne, who hosted the Oct. 18 Poker Run Charity Trail Ride for the Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center in the New Egypt section of Plumsted, blazes the trail for the 45 participants in the event that raised $2,500.

The first annual Poker Run Charity Trail Ride raised over $2,000 for the Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center.

The center, which is located in the New Egypt section of Plumsted, provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for disabled and able-bodied children and adults, as well as veterans returning from military service. The center also rescues and retrains horses.

The Oct. 18 charity trail ride at Colliers Mills Wildlife Park in New Egypt garnered 45 participants and raised $2,500 for the center. Jim and Pam Clynes, of In Recess Farm in New Egypt, hosted the event.

"What a day," Debbie Gastelu, a member of the Charity Ride Committee, said. "Those that spent the day at the charity trail ride in Colliers Mills Wildlife Park enjoyed an awesome day of weather and a wonderful day to raise money for a great cause."

Gastelu served on the committee with Clyne and Colleen Roses.

"The committee would like to thank all that participated in the fun event and for their generosity that day," Gastelu said.

The committee garnered many sponsors and donations for the event auction and door prizes.

"We would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts, those that made this event a success," Clyne, who is also the director of Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center, said.

The Clynes not only offered their farm to host the event, they donated $500 towards the charity, according to Gastelu.

"The very next day, they provided their facilities for the Standardbred Retirement Foundation to hold their trail ride fundraiser," Gastelu said.

Other businesses contributing monetary donations were Hemlock Hill Farm, Michael Inzelbuch Esq., Hungry Puppy, Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, Conselina Hay & Feed, Tinton Falls Animal Society, New Egypt Market Place, Pearl Cook and Anna Hada.

B&D Builders, of Ronks, Pa., sponsored the poker run cash prizes, which totaled $150. Cassidy Curtis, of New Egypt, won first place and $75 and her sister Kendal Curtis won second place and $50. Third place and $25 went to Steffi Steinecke, of Tuckerton.

"Donation items for the auction were awesome and we need to thank those businesses and supporters for their donations," Gastelu said.

Those that donated items were Holmes Brothers Hay, Conselina Hay & Feed, Megills Nascar Collectibles, Hemlock Hill Farm, Horse News, Travelsmiths, Brices Auto Supply Janice and Billy Brice, Roveda Speed/Amanda Roveda, Clinton Anderson, EZall, Mane & Tail, Farnum, Horse Tracs, Custom Party Rentals, Good Earth Nursery, Charleys Place, Hallocks, Emery Pies, New Egypt Massage, Agway of New Egypt, IMG Flowers, and Krowicki Farms and Lisa Conglione Avon Products.

Plans are already under way for the second annual Poker Run Charity Trail Ride.