Sometimes a girl wants a party! And, not just any old party – sometimes a girl wants a boot-tappin’, skirt-swingin’ blast of a gala – a different kind of ball, where dress-up means trading riding breeches for fine-tooled leather chaps, and where all the fun is for the good of a very fine cause.

Welcome to Forward Stride’s second annual Cowgirl Ball, Forward Stride’s signature fund-raising event and a fete to celebrate Those Who Make the West a Better Place. On October 7th, 2006, stars will dance in the sky, and Cowgirls and Cowboys will dance downtown at the Crystal Ballroom. Did you ever dream you could fly? At Forward Stride, fragile bodies have power, speed and can soar. Come link arm-in-arm and support this innovative work.

Founded in 2003, Forward Stride is the Portland metropolitan’s only center offering a three-fold therapeutic equine program: sport riding, hippotherapy, and vaulting. Forward Stride is designated by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) as the metropolitan area’s only “premier center” – the highest possible level of accreditation. Premier Accreditation ensures that their instruction, safety, and programming are of the highest quality.

At the center, riders and horses connect in powerful ways, inspiring participants to transcend the psychological and physical impacts of their medical issues. The goal is to help bodies become as strong and healthy as can be – no matter how they work.

Forward Stride serves approximately 130 clients per week. Forward Stride’s youngest client is three years old and their oldest client celebrated her 95th birthday at the center. They also have adult classes, which include, for example, Sport Riding with Multiple Sclerosis. All classes are inclusive to enhance the therapeutic benefit.

Clients come from private health care providers, county disability services and school district adaptive PE programs. Forward Stride enjoys a partnership with Shriners Hospital for Children. Shriner’s patients participate in Hippotherapy and sport riding classes, and attend a week-long summer day camp at Forward Stride every August. Additionally, OHSU’s Child Development & Rehabilitation Center provides funding for several clients who participate in sport riding classes.

Recent grants from the Hanna Andersson Children’s Foundation, RE/MAX Equity Group Foundation, and the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation contribute to the cause, but other donations remain critically important. Last year’s inaugural Cowgirl Ball raised over $55,000.

“At Forward Stride, we’re idealistic and pragmatic at the same time,” says Executive Director, Trisha Thompson. “We not only dream big, but we roll up our sleeves and get to work. Cowgirls do it all, and we do it with the best shoes (okay boots) in town!”

As Chris Feves said, “This is a great organization, doing great things. It’s making a difference in a lot of kids’ lives. I just wish they had more funds because I know it’s a very expensive undertaking and these services should be available to more people. “

Feves, who attended last year’s ball, points to another reason to attend the Cowgirl Ball, “It’s a fun, lively evening. The bull riding is a cute feature; it’s very fun to watch.” Feves did not ride the bull, herself, but she won a weekend at a great ski cabin in the oral auction and a photo-shoot with a nationally renowned animal photographer. Asked if she planned to attend this year’s ball she said “Absolutely.”

The evening’s program includes dinner and dancing to the tunes of Monty Moss and the Broken Record Band. There’ll be whiskey-sippin’, gambling tables, and brave hearts riding Buck, the mechanical bull. And if that’s not enough to get your toes tapping there will also be amazing packages to bid on during the oral auction including a VIP package to the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade.

The evening’s program includes the swearing in (on a stack of Louis L’Amour novels) of the Cowgirl of the Year – Peggy Fowler, Chief Executive Officer of Portland General Electric. In 2005, Peggy was named Oregon’s Most Admired CEO.

“Receiving the Cowgirl of the Year award is really an honor for me,” says Fowler. “I’ve succeeded in the face of many challenges in a male-dominated industry because I’ve approached those challenges as learning opportunities, not as defeat. Even at a young age, I was interested in things like math and science that most girls weren’t involved in, and some teachers didn’t encourage, but I was determined to do well. I believe everyone has the ability to accomplish what he or she sets out to do with the right combination of self confidence and supportive mentors who help us imagine the possibilities.”

As Fowler prepares to take up her scepter, last year’s inaugural Cowgirl of the Year, Governor Barbara Roberts, reflected back on her experience. “There were two wonderful and special elements to having the honor of being the first Cowgirl of the Year,” Roberts said. “The first was how much Forward Stride and all the attendees made me feel completely included in the celebration. Secondly, the event was great fun for a caring and compassionate cause. It doesn’t get better than that.”

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