Ethan festivities to fundraise for Heroes Helping with Horsepower veteran equine therapy

Kai Englisch, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·3 min read

Sep. 7—ETHAN, S.D. — Ribs will be smoked and motorcycles will be rolling, as Ethan will host all-day festivities on Saturday, Sept. 9 on Main Street from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m..

The festivities will see proceeds go to Heroes Helping with Horsepower, a program that began in 2019 geared toward veterans coping with trauma by bonding with horses at Reclamation Ranch, located between Mitchell and Ethan.

The unique program is a testament to the incredible capacities that horses have to be counselors and healers, said Crystal Young, the executive director of Helping with Horsepower, and the owner of Reclamation Ranch.

"Horses are big energy readers — they're so much in the moment. They're so interested in how you're feeling — and having you focused on how they're feeling as well," Young said.

She explained that veterans will often come in with a mindset of wanting to assert dominance over the horse, a habitual mentality honed through the intense demands of military service. But horses are uniquely able to break down those walls, she said, allowing them to process things they haven't been able to.

"When a horse feels safe or connected to a particular person they'll stand nearby. But if the veteran is speaking from a super analytical, standoffish mindset then the horse is going to be super distant," Young said.

The relationship formed between veteran and horse is a special connection, she said, and is the root of equine therapy. She continued, stating that the experience for veterans can be pretty incredible.

"When you're around this 1,000-pound animal that is not out to kill you or harm you or injure you — it's just this humbling experience, to know that they want to be around you. They want to connect with you because they are looking for connection and leadership — all those things that we are looking for as humans as well," Young said.

Now, Saturday's festivities will raise money for Heroes Helping with Horsepower, a program that is free for veterans.

Here's a listing of the events scheduled for Saturday in Ethan:

* The rib cookoff registration will begin at 8 a.m. Registration is $100 for each team, which will cook 15-30 racks of ribs to be provided. Ribs will be judged on taste, texture and appearance, both by judges and the public; prize money will be awarded for the top three contestants in both categories. Those wishing to cook ribs without entering the competition are welcomed at no cost. For more information, contact Barb Young at

barb@helpingwithhorsepower.com

, or at (605) 770-3229.

* The poker run will begin at noon at Ethan's Main Street, open to motorcycle/vehicle and UTV/ATV drivers and riders. Registration begins at 10 a.m.

*

A car show will be held

, open to motorcycles as well. Registration is $25 per vehicle, and will be open 11 a.m. to noon. Vehicles will be on display to the public immediately thereafter. Cars will be judged at 4:30 p.m., with prizes to be awarded in five categories:

* At 4 p.m., the day will also feature a posting of the colors by the Mitchell VFW Post 2750. At 6:30 p.m., a flag cremation ceremony will be held, overseen by Paul Claggett.

* Other festivities will include a

bicycle run

, as well as a silent auction and bingo. There will also be fun for kids from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., including a bounce house and face painting. Live DJ entertainment will be provided at the Ammo Box all day, as well as karaoke.