The 4^th Annual Night at the Races – a fundraiser for Stars & Strides Therapeutic Equine Center – will be held Saturday, March 24 at Bridgeport Conference Center.

 

The unique fundraising event features a catered meal, 50/50 drawing, silent auction and the featured attraction – virtual horse racing.

 

“There are pre-recorded horse races that people can buy a horse and name it and horses go into random placement throughout the night and people use play money to bet on the outcome of the race,” said Rebecca Flanagan, executive director, Stars & Strides. “People absolutely love it. They come up to me regularly during the fundraiser and say they’re having so much fun, wanting to know when we’re doing it again.”

 

It’s an ideal fundraising activity, Flanagan said.

 

“It’s not only fun and interactive, but also themed with horses and allows us to play off the horse theme with decorations and fun names,” she said.

 

The non-profit organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the event annually raises around $12,000 which is utilized for various costs, from care of horses to insurance to scholarships for riders.

 

Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased through the Stars & Strides Facebook page or Web site. They will also be available at the door of the event.

 

Proceeds from ticket sales, 50/50 drawing and silent auction benefit the therapeutic equine center and its mission to help individuals overcome challenges through integration and use of horses in a therapeutic environment.

 

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a plated dinner served at 6 p.m. and races at 7 p.m.

 

Founded in September of 2014 and currently located just off Meadowbrook Road, Stars & Strides offers equine services for a variety of disorders including emotional trauma, social anxiety, psychological struggles, post-traumatic stress disorder, physical trauma, cognitive development, autism and recreational therapies.

 

The professional, specifically-qualified staff is led Flanagan, who holds a degree in agriculture from West Virginia University. A lifelong lover of horses and all things equine, she has completed extensive study of horse behavior and became certified as a horse specialist in equine assisted activities and therapies. She spent time volunteering at a therapeutic riding center before making the decision to open a place in her own community of Bridgeport. Helping others through the use of horses is the best life she could imagine, she said.

 

A non-profit organization, Stars & Strides is always looking for qualified people to help serve the community. Pyschologists, counselors and therapy specialists are welcome to use the facility for their practices. Those who may be able to serve as stable hands, horse handlers, administrative assistants or organize fundraisers or write grants are encouraged to fill out a volunteer application.