Annual “Hogs for Horses” ride continues to support WETRA
WETRA’s Kali had no problem hanging out with Iron Horse Motorcycle Club’s Kevin Telfer (above) and club president Stacy King. The Iron Horse Motorcycle Club presented its annual “Hogs for Horses” ride Sept. 27 and it supported WETRA. One of the four stops along the route was Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 in Amherstburg.
What do the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club (IHMC) and the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association (WETRA) have in common?
Horsepower.
The two groups teamed up this past Sunday to host the 16th annual Hogs for Horses ride. It is an annual fundraising event that helps to take care of the 20 horses that call WETRA home.
“It goes to the feeding and care of our horses, everything they need to be happy and comfortable,” said WETRA executive director Becky Mills.
Since 2010, the local motorcycle club has raised close to half a million dollars doing various events but the ride on Sunday is its biggest and brings bikers from across the region.
“It’s something close to our hearts. It’s an incredible organization and we’re proud to be part of it,” said ride coordinator Kevin Telter.
The Iron Horse Motorcycle Club started up 45 years ago and it was Ken St. Amand who decided that WETRA was a great recipient of the club’s generosity.
St. Amand said that when he worked at General Motors, the United Way came to meet the workers and brought with them a couple of horses. He said that one of the horses passed away and from then on he started doing raffles.
“The first year we had 40 people,” he said of the inaugural Hogs for Horses. “I am very happy that it has been consistent each year.
About 100 motorcycles came and went from the WETRA parking lot which was the first stop on a poker run. They made their way to the Belle River Legion, the Amherstburg Legion, Riverside Sportsmen Club and finally the Colchester Bar and Grill.
Live music, door prizes and 50/50 draws were all part of the day.
It wasn’t just the 16 members of the Iron Horse club taking part as other clubs included the Queensmen, Bad Examples and Commandos.
“We have a lot of support from the other clubs. Everyone supports each other’s events,” said Telter.
Sunday’s ride was expected to raise about $35,000.
With limited grants available, Mills estimated that about half of WETRA’s funding comes from various events like Hogs for Horses.
“Without community support, we could not keep going.”
This coming Sunday, WETRA will host its annual Fall Fair running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3323 Malden Road in McGregor.
Annual “Hogs for Horses” ride continues to support WETRA
By Fred Groves
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