8th Annual Meggan Morency Memorial Ride-a-Thon

The Old West will come alive on Feb. 18 at the Historic Davie School House during a Western Evening focused on promoting the 8th Annual Meggan Morency Memorial Ride-a-Thon, which will be held the following weekend, and raising scholarship funds for Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida.

Featuring a western-style casino, the night of dancing, dining and entertainment will be hosted by former Miami Dolphin, NBC sportscaster and radio personality Joe Rose. The evening will include a live auction with items ranging from a chance to be Sheriff for the Day to a stay at an Islamorada vacation home and an Airboat Adventure.

"This will be a great opportunity for the community to come out and have fun while at the same time helping to promote awareness of the ride-a-thon and the outstanding young woman who it is named for," said Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti, who is serving as honorary chair of both the Western Evening and the Ride-a-Thon.

The Ride-a-Thon, which will be held on Feb. 26 at Horses and the Handicapped's Vegso Family Arena at TradeWinds Park North in Coconut Creek, honors the memory of Meggan Morency, who was fatally injured in a jumping accident in 2003. A celebration of Meggan's life and a reminder of her love of horses, the ride-a-thon has several elements. Among those elements are the Witness the Magic Horse Show presented by students at Horses and the Handicapped, a Ride-a-Thon - open to all riders - through the horse trails at TradeWinds Park and, this year for the first time, a midway featuring games, prizes and a petting zoo. The event will also feature barbecue style lunches as well as popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones.

"This year's Ride-a-Thon will include something for just about every member of the family," said Broward County Court Chief Traffic Magistrate Brenda Di Ioia, a member of the committee organizing both the Western Evening and the Ride-a-Thon.

Sponsors of the events include William E. Lewis, Jr. & Associates, Paradise Bank, Top Notch Productions, the Broward County Parks and Recreation Department, Celebrations, and Minuteman Press.

Tickets for the Western Evening are $75 per person and can be purchased online at http://www.hhsfl.org. The Ride-a-Thon is free and open to the public following $1.50 per car entrance fee for TradeWinds Park. Midway passes will be sold at the event.

For more information visit: http://www.hhsfl.org or call Megan Connolly at (954) 974-2007.

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Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida is a non-profit organization founded in 1981. It is dedicated to providing effective therapeutic horseback riding and equine activities for children and adults with physical, mental and emotional difficulties. Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida is approved as a premier accredited center by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association.