L
ooking back, Mary Howard recalled April 12, 1997 as the coldest day of the year in Stephenville, Texas, with dark clouds and horrible winds. Despite the ominous weather, 62 horseback riders turned out for the 1st Cowboy Capital MS Trail Ride. Mary, co-chair of the now-annual trail ride, explained the origins of this unique event. “My husband, who has MS, and I were members of a small support group in Stephenville when the Fort Worth office of the National MS Society contacted our leaders about hosting a community walk,” Mary said. “Stephenville is known as the ‘Cowboy Capital of the World’ and home of Tarleton State University’s rodeo team. We agreed to get involved, but, as Debbie Cole, one of the original co-chairs said, ‘Around here, we ride, we do not walk.’ ”
From that conversation, the Cowboy Capital MS Trail Ride was born. This spring, Mary and other volunteers were planning the 17th annual trail ride, which took place May 4. A key volunteer is Dr. David Snyder of Tarleton University. Dr. Snyder teaches equine therapy for individuals with disabilities, called Tarleton Equine Assisted Therapy. With Dr. Snyder’s involvement, the ride takes place at Tarleton State University’s 1,200-acre ranch. The university has been a key partner, providing use of the ranch, tables, chairs and water troughs for the horses. Each year, all riders must register and turn in their donations before the trail ride begins. They are each given an official Cowboy Capital MS Trail Ride T-shirt and a goodie bag with items donated by area businesses.
Moving Toward A World Free of MS
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