Sand Hills Safari raises funds for corrections officers mental health

Saddle up for the Sandhills Safari fundraiser in the Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Park on Aug. 3.

This event supports mental support for corrections officers, said Stacie Bourdon, founder of the CX Solid Foundation.

“Officers have a very difficult job. They deal with the traumas and issues that happen on a daily basis with inmates.”

The are two horseback riding events scheduled to take place, with a 15-kilometre mosey down the trail and a 25-kilometre non-competition endurance ride.

Riders are encouraged to collect pledges and there are some amazing prizes.

For the most money raised, the prize being awarded is a seven-night stay at a timeshare condo.

Everyone is welcome to show up, go for a horseback ride and enjoy the day, ending with a delicious steak dinner with all the fixings.

The 15-kilometre Dawdlers ride is for people who enjoy a casual ride, enjoying the scenery and talking as you go.

Registrations open from 10 am to noon.

Riders are free to enjoy their ride with their best equine buddy or come as a group and make it a day to remember on your self-guided ride.

The 15-kilometer course is different from the 25-kilometer course, so riders won’t run into the participants from the Dabbler group.

The 25-kilometer Dabblers ride is for people who are interested in trying an endurance ride but are not ready to take the formal route. Registration is at noon.

This is not a sanctioned event but rather an opportunity to try endurance riding that isn’t intimidating.

Normally an endurance ride has to be vested through intervals during the ride and follow specific rules.

With this event there is a health check after 15 kilometres and a rest period of 45 minutes before completing the final ten kilometres.

An endurance rider of Alberta secretary will be onsite to help mentor people through this ride.

It is a very short distance and is doable for horses in decent shape and have been ridden on a regular basis,” said Bourdon.

The fee is $50 per rider or the fee is waived if the rider has raised over $100 in pledges.

Pledge forms and information are available on the CX Solid Foundation website at https://cxsolid.ca/ or you can contact Bourdon at 780-712-9180.

Registration for the 25-kilometer ride requires paperwork, including vet information and it can still be done the day of the event.

The staging area is hosted on private land within the park at the Henry and Marg Wierenga pastures.

Camping where they can accommodate horses is available at the Wierenga Pastures.

The post-ride steak dinner is $15, and it includes a cash bar and music. Prizes will be presented for the most money raised, first and second place, best costume, and more.

After dinner Dr. Lana Delaney, equine veterinarian, will be available for a question and answer period.

Signs will be posted to make it easy to find the Sandhills Safari event on Aug. 3 in the Fort Assiniboine Sandhills.

CX Solid is a non-profit that raises funds for corrections officers exposed to trauma in the line of duty to receive support in learning strategies to establish strong mental health.

Bourdon has been a corrections officer for 15 years.

She has encountered extreme trauma situations and knows officers who could use support.