Members For Riders go the Parade Route

On July 3rd the=20 parade contingent of RFC had the opportunity, for the second = year in=20 a row, to participate in the Prescott Frontier Days Parade. = To the=20 uninitiated it might seem a simple matter to get to = Prescott, form a=20 line, and ride through the streets of town, soaking up the = cheers of=20 the crowd. While being involved in a parade is enjoyable, it = is=20 scarcely a simple or effortless activity.

First = there are=20 several months of planning before hand, including applying = to the=20 Parade Committee for permission to participate. Then there = is the=20 matter of who will ride in the parade? Will there be a = float, and if=20 so, who will decorate it and how will it be decorated to = meet the=20 parade theme? What kind of uniforms will be worn and what = trappings=20 for the horses? Then it must be decided who will carry the = RFC=20 banner, which rider or riders will carry the American flag = (which=20 not always easy on horseback) and who will pass out the = souvenirs to=20 the crowd. There is also the matter of meeting expenses for=20 necessary materials. This can be a bit of a struggle for a = small=20 non-profit organization. When all of these details are = covered we=20 must decide on a time and place to meet to get the parade=20 grounds.

This year our group met at 7 a.m. at the = Wal-Mart=20 parking lot in Prescott. We caravanned downtown, where one = of our=20 members had previously scouted out the parking situation and = found a=20 great place that would accommodate 6 or 7 trailers. It = wasn=92t too=20 far from our staging area. Since we needed to be in the = staging area=20 by 8 a.m., we hustled to get the horses cleaned, tacked up = and on=20 the way to staging area. It is always a relief to actually = get to=20 the proper staging area and know you are in place and ready = to go.=20 The parade generally starts around. 9 a.m. We were in our = staging=20 area in plenty of time to talk and work up nervous energy. = As in the=20 military, it is a case of "hurry up and wait". It was after = 10 a.m.=20 before our section of the parade actually began = moving.

The=20 parade itself is always exciting, especially since horses = (and=20 people) are so unpredictable. Children run out in front of = the=20 horses, and there are plenty of unexpected movements and = loud noises=20 to keep riders ever vigilant. And of course there can be the = occasional thrown shoe, or leg wrap that unravels, as the = horse=20 prances down the street. The rider must be ready for = anything!=20 Parade riding is definitely not for novice riders or = green-broke=20 horse.

Riders For Christ is always grateful for the=20 opportunity to carry our banner proclaiming allegiance to = the Lord.=20 We receive many really wonderful responses from the crowd. = People=20 placing their hands on the hearts, pointing to the sky, or = just=20 giving us a "thumbs up." In this day, when being a Christian = is=20 considered, in some parts, to be politically incorrect, it = is=20 encouraging to see so many people who still have the courage = to=20 stand up, in public, for what they believe. Of course, there = are=20 also those who scowl as we pass by, and some of the = announcers,=20 don=92t or won=92t, announce us. Although I think an = announcer is wrong=20 (ha, politically incorrect) not to announce all of the = entries in a=20 parade, every American has a right to his/her opinion. God = bless=20 America for each man=92s right to express his=20 beliefs.

Participating in parades is a great way for=20 Christian riders to express their faith. If you would like = to join=20 the Riders For Christ parade contingent please contact = us.
RFC=20 also enjoys the most wonderful trail rides. The last ride = was at=20 Lynx Lake. We started out at the 5,000 ft. elevation and = climbed=20 another thousand feet, traveling about 4 miles, until we = reached a=20 grove of pines where we stopped for refreshments, = conversation, and=20 a short devotion. Upon returning to our trailers we decided = it was=20 close enough to suppertime for a meal at the China Buffet. = I=92ll tell=20 you what this group likes to eat! What great times of = fellowship we=20 have. We are making new, wonderful friends, at each ride. As = a=20 matter of fact, we started RFC with 5 families back in July = of 2002.=20 As of July 2004, we have 14 family units involved, and we = continue=20 to grow.

Speaking of July, the July ride will be at = Groom=20 Creek, on Saturday, the 24th. We will, once again, meet at = Wal-Mart,=20 at 7 am, and caravan to Groom Creek. As usual, we person = will bring=20 a snack to enjoy as we relax during devotions. Our rides are = generally an hour and a half to two hours each = way.

The=20 August ride will be a moonlight ride at the home of Don and = Sharon=20 Hunt, in Spring Valley, near Cordes Lakes. We will meet = there at 7=20 p.m. and eat and fellowship until dark. This ride will be = lengthy so=20 anyone desiring to camp out overnight at the Hunt=92s is = welcome to do=20 so. In case of monsoon rain or heavy cloud cover, there will = be a=20 backup of ride, Sunday afternoon, beginning at 2 P.M, at the = Hunts.

If you are interested in learning more about = Riders=20 For Christ, Arizona Equestrian Ministries, International, = call=20 William or Andrea Berglund, at 623-374-0857, or = 602-980-7156. Be=20 sure to check out our website at=20 www.ridersforchristazemi.org.
Until next time, may God = richly=20 bless you.

Top=20 of Page

Latest=20 Headlines

National

20= 05=20 Charlotte Jumper Classic Receives A Big = Kick-Start

Ar= izona=20 Department of Agriculture Reacts to Finding of One of the = World's=20 Most Devastating Pests

Ha= mpton=20 Classic Horse Show's $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand = Prix to be=20 Broadcast on Fox Sports New York on September = 25

Ev= ents

Ra= infire=20 Stables

World

Ge= rmany=20 Number One in Horse Breeding

Si= x=20 sets of medals in three disciplines

At= hens=20 2004 - Medals - Equestrian

Ne= wly=20 Crowned Vaulting Champions Head for World Championships in = Austria=20

Am= ericans=20 Bring Home Vaulting Bronze Medal

Quarter Horse

EV= ELYN=20 MORRIS - ARIZONA QUARTER HORSE PIONEER

Di= e=20 Ersten Europameister Stehen Fest! The First European = Champions=20 2004

AR= IZONA=20 SELECT EXHIBITORS SIZZLE IN AMARILLO

Th= e=20 Firecracker Classic

ON= =20 HER TOES - THIS MASSACHUSETTS COMPETITOR HAS A DIFFERENT = FRAME OF=20 MIND

Arabian

Le= t's=20 Get Ready to Rumble

Ap= ache=20 Peak Equestrian Center Hosts November BBQ

VOLUNTEERS=20 WANTED: SAGUARO CLASSIC ALL ARABIAN HORSE SHOW

Eg= yptian=20 Arabian Horse Fair, September 18 & 19, = 2004

Ar= abian=20 Horses Dance into the Hampton Classic Horse = Show

Reining

Na= tional=20 Reined Cow Horse Association - Murphy/Rice Lead After Non = Pro Herd=20 Work

Ar= izona=20 Reining Horse Association's President's Letter

NR= CHA=20 Snaffle Bit Futurity Set to Begin!

NR= HA=20 YOUTH PROGRAMS

NR= HA=20 Youth Team Tournament Terms and Conditions

Cutting

Ar= izona=20 Cutting Horse Association News

NU= MEROUS=20 EXCITING CHANGES FOR CUTTERS

Na= tional=20 Cutting Horse Association Newsletter

CH= ICKS=20 ACHY BRAKY CARRIES JIM BABCOCK TO CUTTING WIN

Ti= ght=20 race for the Horsecity.com Summer Season = conclusion

Rodeos

Or= egon's=20 Brad Goodrich Wins All Around at 94th Pendleton = Round-Up

Co= wboys=20 for Kids

20= 05=20 Miss Prescott Frontier Days Queen

A = Rodeo Queen=92s Fight for Life

Ki= ckin'=20 Up Kindness

Dressage

Jo= hn=20 Zopatti Wins Gold Coast Dressage Association 2004 Trainer of = the=20 Year Award

In= dividual=20 Dressage: Wind Blew SALZGEBER's Advantage Away =

In= dividual=20 Dressage: van GRUNSVEN Defends Gold Medal

In= dividual=20 Dressage: SALZGEBER (GER), FERRER-SALAT (ESP)

Ca= llahan=20 Triumphs at 2004 National Combined Driving = Championship

Jumping

AR= IZONA=20 HUNTER JUMPER ASSN.

Ro= bert=20 Bielefeld and Jennifer Alfano Earn Honors at the 58th = Buffalo=20 International Horse Show

Ke= rins=92s=20 Victory in $150,000 Prudential Financial Grand = Prix

Ai= mee=20 Aron Enjoys Stylish Win in $25,000 Calvin Klein Jeans Derby = at the=20 29th Annual Hampton Classic

Ad= dison=20 Phillips Rides in Style to Claim Calvin Klein Jeans = Equitation=20 Championship at the 29th Annual Hampton = Classic

Paint

Co= llect=20 a Full Palette of Paints - American Paint Horse Association = Offers=20 Free Colors and Patterns Posters

Am= erican=20 Paint Horse Association offers more than $100,000 in = incentives at=20 National Snaffle Bit Association events

Co= llect=20 a full palette of Paints American Paint Horse Association = offers=20 free colors and patterns posters

CZ= ECH=20 PAINT HORSE SHOW 2004

AP= HA=20 ANNUAL CONVENTION September 30=96October 2, 2004 =95 Tucson, = Arizona

Who's Who!

Ia= n=20 Sabin Teams up with The Therapy Zone!

Ch= ino=20 Valley Student Finalist for Top FFA Honor

Ja= mes=20 Forrest Melick Passes August 14, 2004

La= st=20 Chance To Vote For 2004 Horse Hero Awards - Oct. 17 "Meet = &=20 Greet"

Pa= radise=20 Valley High School Reunion

Color Breed

PI= NTO=20 PATTER

In= digenous=20 Palouse Horse Breed Finally Gets recognition with IAPP =

Gaited Horse

Co= pper=20 State Gaited Horse Association Fall Update

Mini & Pony

Ar= izona=20 P.O.A. Club News

A = MINI MEMO

Po= ny=20 of the Americas

Qu= eer=20 Eye Star, Carson Kressley Caught Horsing = Around

Barrel Racing

NC= BRA=20 NEWS

SC= OTTSDALE=20 SADDLE CLUB SEPTEMBER GYMKHANA REPORT

Ar= izona=92s=20 First NBHA Super Show

AR= IZONA=20 SADDLE CLUB NEWS

We= stern=20 Saddle Club - Gymkhana and Barrel Racing

Horse Shows

Of= ficials=20 Announced For 121st National Horse Show In = Wellington

Ka= cey=20 McCann Named Best Child Rider at the 58th Buffalo = International=20 Horse Show

Tw= o=20 Weekends Complete, One To Go For ASPCA Maclay Regional = Qualifying=20

Ka= cey=20 McCann and Paddington Win Grand Junior Hunter Championship = at the=20 58th Buffalo International Horse Show

La= ke=20 Placid Horse Shows Continue to Give Back

Eventing

Tw= o=20 Seminars To Be Held at AEC

Da= vis=20 Duo 2nd at National Competition

Te= am=20 Eventing : Gold for French Team

Ov= er=20 450 Entered in Inaugural American Eventing = Championships

CE= I***=20 100-Mile Endurance Ride Joins Equestrian Championship = Line-up at=20 16th Annual Fair Hill International Festival in the=20 Country

Horse Racing

In= ternational=20 Gold Cup Accepting Junior Field Masters Chase = Entries

20= 04=20 AQRA - Turf Paradise Open Quarter Horse Futurity = (G3)

Ba= ffert=20 reconsidering Del Mar Futurity for Roman Ruler

Ca= ndy=20 Ride comeback called off

Ch= ampion=20 Storm Flag Flying to target Beldame Stakes

Theraputic Riding

An= =20 Experiential Exercise followed by demonstrations with Dr. = Renee=20 Waldman and her Spanish Mustangs

Ho= rse=20 Massage Clinic to benefit Horses in Need

HO= RSES=20 HELP NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Bu= ffalo=20 Therapeutic Riding Center Kicks Off Capital Campaign to = Restore the=20 Historic Facility

TH= E=20 MOM WHISPERER: USING THE HORSE AS TEACHER

Showgrounds

WE= STWORLD=20 Oct. 2004

Jo= b=20 Opening at WestWorld

Ol= de=20 Tyme Country Fair & National Driving Championships come = to the=20 Colorado Horse Park

Horse Health

Ch= arity=20 Event for Wildhorse Ranch Rescue

Wh= y=20 Massage A Horse?

Ad= option=20 PMU's: Foals, Pregnant and Non-pregnant Mares

Th= e=20 Perfect Workhorse: Farnam Surveys Horse Owners to Determine = Barn=20 Chore Habits; Plans T-Shirt Giveaway Around = Theme

Th= e=20 Liquid of Life: Understanding the Role of Water in Colic=20 Prevention

Tax & Legal

No articles available.

Products

PO= LAR=20 HORSE HEART MONITORS USA INTRODUCES MULTI-HORSE, = TELEMETRY-BASED=20 REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR RECREATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL=20 TRAINERS

Bo= bcat=20 5600 Utility Work Machine Finds Favor with Well-Known Horse = Trainers=20 - Lyons Believe New Bobcat Product is Perfect for = Ranch

Bo= bcat=20 Company Enters 4x4 Market With New Utility = Vehicle

Bo= bcat=20 Company Introduces New Toolcat 5600 Options - Optional = Turbo-Charged=20 Diesel Engine and High-Flow Hydraulics Now = Available

Oc= ulus=20 Innovative Sciences Launches First US Product Formulated = with=20 Revolutionary Microcyn Technology

Training Tips

PA= RELLI=20 NATURAL HORSE-MAN-SHIP Level 1 Partnership = Clinic

MIKE=20 BRIDGES CLINIC Oct. 22 - 25

RI= O=20 VERDE HORSEMENS ASSOCIATION NEWS

Jo= e=20 Ruiz, NRHA Judge, Training; Salt Lake City, = Utah

Sh= ane=20 Brown Performance Horses, Pueblo, Colorado

Classifieds News

Foxtrotter=20 ad #19

Mounted Shooting

AR= IZONA=20 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION October = 2004

AR= IZONA=20 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION

AR= IZONA=20 COWBOY MOUNTED SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION August = 2004

Trail Riding

Ri= de=20 the San Pedro River

TUCSON=20 MOUNTAIN RIDERS 7th annual Trail Rally

New=20 River Kiwanis Annual Poker Ride

LO= NE=20 RANGER SINGLE RIDING CLUB

VU= LTURE=20 PEAK FIELD TRIALS

POLO

IN= TERNATIONAL=20 POLO CLUB PALM BEACH LOSES IN SEMIFINALS OF JOCKEY CLUB OPEN = IN=20 ARGENTINA

IN= TERNATIONAL=20 POLO CLUB PALM BEACH SPONSORS TEAM IN PRESTIGIOUS ARGENTINE = POLO=20 TOURNAMENT

JU= LIE=20 PICKENS NAMED MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR AT INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB = PALM=20 BEACH