Published: September 05, 2008 01:22 pm         

Goshen boy is Ride a Thon child

MIDDLEBURY, Ind. — Cole Johnston, son of Doug and Jeannine Johnston of Goshen, has been chosen as LoveWay’s Ride a Thon child for 2008.

Soon to be 5 years old, Cole came to LoveWay at the age of 3 with a speech delay and sensory processing issues, LoveWay officials stated in a press release.

“Unable to form understandable words, Cole showed remarkable progress from therapeutic horseback riding with Sam, his favorite mount,” the release reads.

Sponsored by Goshen Community Bank, Cole and his family will be recognized Saturday at the Ride a Thon trail ride and pancake breakfast.

Open to the public from 7 to 10:30 a.m., the $5 all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast is sponsored by the Elkhart Exchange Club.

Free horse drawn tram rides will be provided by Clint Yeager of Bonneyville Carriages at 9 and 10 a.m.

Horse owners from all over Indiana and Michigan will converge at the LoveWay facility to participate in the 12-mile trail ride through the Bristol hills.

Underwritten by Welch Packaging Group, LoveWay officials anticipate more than 100 riders to take their horses to participate in this year’s ride.

Registration for the trail ride begins at 7:30 a.m., with lead off at 9 a.m. led by grand marshal Dale Tharp of Bristol.

The 12-mile trail covers neighboring land and woods, which is mostly off road riding.

The cost to register is $45 or donations equal to registration. Riders are asked to collect donations from family and friends to help support therapeutic services to local schools.

The rider collecting the most money will be awarded a new western saddle. Riders bringing in $100 or more in collected donations are eligible for the grand prize drawing of a $300 gift certificate from Troyers Saddlery of Shipshewana.

Door prizes will be given away and a free chuck wagon lunch is available for all riders.

Additional sponsors for this year’s ride are Brian and Jeannelle Brady, Tom and Fran Graber, Markline Industries, Culver Duck Farm, McBride & Fairchild, LM Corp., Naquin Chevrolet, 1st State Bank and PM Embroidery.

For more information call 825-5666 or www.lovewayinc.org.