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Beverly Benton

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Make a Dream Come True

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Make a Dream Come True.....   You can help make dreams come true for the campers, guests, and visitors of Chestnut Ridge by donating to support the Equestrian Center improvements.

The Chestnut Ridge Equestrian Center is ideally situated on 362 beautiful acres of rolling hills and hardwood forests in Efland, NC. Founded in 1959, Chestnut Ridge has been supported by the United Methodist Church for over 50 years. Horses have been part of the camp's identity since the very beginning. For the last 8 years, our neighbors have graciously loaned us their pastures for our horses. But now the time has come to create a home for them on Chestnut Ridge property. We are excited to begin the next phase of improvements and expansion to this historic program. But we need your help...

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Phase I: An Open Space (COMPLETED 2011!)  

• Clear, grade, and smooth 33 acres
• Fertilize and seed the land

Phase II: A New Home for Horses

• Safe fencing and gates
• Water and electricity
• Run-In Shelters

Phase III: A Place for All

• A covered arena with lights
• A REAL BARN!

How you can be a part of making these dreams come true:

Daisy's Darlings: raise or donate $100-$499

Polly's Pals: raise or donate $500-$999

Striker's Stars: raise or donate over $1,000

Chief's Champions: raise or donate over $10,000

All donors will be acknowledged on the donor board at the improved Equestrian Center.

A Blog from the Equestrian Programs Director!

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It’s hard for me to believe that just a year ago the staff at Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Center was waiting in anticipation to find out if we would continue our equestrian programs beyond 2011. The pastures so graciously loaned to us for 8 years will no longer be available starting in March 2012, and a decision had to be made to make our horses a new home or to end the equestrian programs at Chestnut Ridge. Because of the big dreams of friends like you, and the commitment of camp leadership, the decision was made to timber, clear, grade, and seed 33 acres of pastures so that horses could continue to play an important role in the ministry and mission of Chestnut Ridge.

So much has happened since then!

Maybe you have met Duchess, Chief, Reba, or Snickers? They are just a few of the new horses purchased or donated last spring to support the big dreams for the future of the equestrian programs. During summer camp 2011, over 170 children learned riding skills and made friends with the horses, each other, our staff, and God. In the fall, riding lessons were held weekly, and families and friends enjoyed trail rides through the autumn splendor each weekend. Horse Slumber Parties, and the first ever Cowboy Camp Out, hosted girls and boys for overnight horse experiences. The Chestnut Ridge horses were the hit of several birthday parties too!

But there is more that needs to happen now!

Our Equestrian Program is growing right along with the grass in the new pasture.  As March draws closer, the final steps of making these pastures livable loom large. To create a happy and healthy home there, we still need to install fences, gates, water, electricity, and shelters. A barn and a cover with lights for the arena would allow the program to grow even more. Spring riding lessons, trail rides, and Summer Camp 2012 are coming up - and filling up - fast, so time is short.

Please join me and my family in supporting the big dreams for the future of the horse programs at Chestnut Ridge by donating today.

Happy Trails!

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