Lower Valley-based Cowgirl Spirit Rescue Drill Team hosts its second annual benefit Poker Ride on Saturday, April 14, at Bridle Trails State Park in Kirkland.

Guest of honor for the ride is 14-year-old Lydia Vossler, who has selflessly supported the team over the past year by selflessly donating her birthday and Christmas money to help rescue horses.

A Poker Ride is an organized trail ride with a marked route. Riders collect cards along the way from Cowgirl Spirit volunteers. At the end, the riders with the best “hands” win prizes. It’s a casual, easygoing ride—no racing or wild riding. Riders are welcome to enjoy easy, scenic trails and make new friends while supporting the horse rescue cause.

This year, Cowgirl Spirit will also be offering a Poker Walk for those who want to support the organization at this event, but don’t have or aren’t able to bring a horse. Walkers will have their own route in which they’ll collect cards and vie for their own set of prizes.

The ride begins at 9 a.m., followed by the walk at 10 a.m. Come early before the ride, warm your horse up in Bridle Trails Arena, and enjoy free coffee and donuts

Dr. Hannah Evergreen of Evergreen Holistic Veterinary Care – Equine, www.ECHVEquine.com, and Greer Hei of Naturally Sound Equine, will be on hand on the morning of the event for any emergency veterinary or farrier needs.

Following the ride, demonstrations are planned, plus a drill performance, live music by Joel Lewis and His Guitar, and a “Bribe Your Horse” contest where entrants lure their horse with treats through an obstacle course.

The group will also be offering a raffle for dozens of valuable horse-related, and non-horse related prizes. The raffle drawings will be held at 3 pm, and winners need not be present to win. Cowgirl Spirit will show off several of its adoptable rescue horses at the event.

To attend the ride, you may pre-register on www.CowgirlSpirit.org.