RED Arena’s Round-Up reaches record success

NON PROFIT

RED Arena raised a record amount of $150,000 at its eight annual Round-Up this past weekend at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. The 2-day fundraising e ent included a Friday night Wine-Up party, a silent auction, food, live music, a Hill Country 5k/10k run, Equine Trail Challenge, and of course Saturday riding competitions for children with disabilities. RED Arena is a 501 c3 nonprofit that p ovides a variety of services including Equine Assisted Therapy and activities for people with disabilities. Having attended the more than a few of the pre-Round-Up Wine-Up Parties and more than a few Round-ups myself, I have to admit, these Friday and Saturday events have become regular ”must attends” for me. Not only do I run into many fellow equestrians and friends, I meet some amazing people who are fully committed to RED Arena’s success! This ear, in addition to the rodeo play day, organizers added an Equine Trail Course Challenge. And they added a Hill Country 5k/10k Trail run for the non-horsey folks. The e was literally something for everyone and there is always lots of free family fun to top it all off! espite the heat, there were lots of smiling faces and everyone was a winner! It may be cliché to say, “it takes a village” to pull off events like this, but it is true. The staff, and olunteers are all in. So too, are the families who participate in any of RED Arena’s many therapeutic programs. And most of all, there would be no RED arena without their very special horses. Funds raised from the annual Round-Up go towards rider scholarships and the care of their amazingly soulful horses and maintaining their facility. Expansion is on the horizon later in the year. For details or to donate, go to www.redarena.org.