Orlando, Florida - The low rumble of motorcycle exhaust is starting to build and so are the plans for the premiere of the Freedom Ride, a motorcycle ride and rodeo, on Sunday, November 13, 2005.  Freedom Ride is a non-profit organization that provides equine therapy for Central Florida children with disabilities.  The event, named Freedom Ride and Rodeo is being produced in partnership with media sponsors WKMG Channel 6, Real Radio 104.1 F and the Shannon Burke Show, and event sponsors Planet Hollywood Downtown Disney, Downtown Disney’s Pleasure Island, Orlando Harley Davidson and Abate of Florida.

This unique Ride and Rodeo is already shaping up to be a community event with strong support led by local personalities Tom Sorrells and Shannon Burke and renown celebrities Robbie Knievel, actor Dan Haggerty, singers Enrique Iglesias and Shalim Oritz, Boston Red Sox’s Johnny Damon,  Miss Universe Amelia Vega and Miss America 2004 Ericka Dunlap, to name a few.

The day starts at 8:00am with rider registration and a VIP and Celebrity breakfast at Planet Hollywood Disney.   This Police Escorted Motorcycle Ride leaves Walt Disney World® Pleasure Island promptly at 10:30am where the riders will thunder through the Park onto 535, then connect to 438 and Silver Star onto North Apopka Vineland to Clarcona Ocoee.  Then onto OBT to Lee Road (423), ending at the Freedom Ride facility located at Trotters Park , 1905 Lee Road in Orlando.  Upon arrival at the facility, the opening ceremony with Nashville recording artist Jack Kapanka, will honor our Veterans and thus signal the start of the areas first Motorcycle Rodeo.

Throughout the day the community will enjoy performances by Diablo Canyon and Sweating Bullets; help judge a Custom Bike Show and participate in the raffle drawing for a custom built chopper donated by  Willy Scooters; with plenty of food, friends, drink and vendors for every interest. 

This truly is a day where people from all walks of life will come together united by their passion for motorcycles, horses and children with disabilities. This event is open to the public.  Supporting Sponsors are The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, LadyCycleRiders,  Certified Slings and Telemundo. *REGISTRATION AND TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW www.freedomride.com/rideandrodeo

We want to say "thank you" to the corporate and private supporters of this event, the countless volunteers, selfless staff efforts and Arabian Nights for their generous and ongoing belief in Freedom Ride's mission of serving the special needs community in central florida. 

The event brought together the local community, radio personality Leslye Gale and Nashville Recording artist Jack Kapanka for a night of fun and laughter, education and entertainment from both the Freedom Riders and cast of Arabian Nights.  Even our own four-legged staff member, Abdullah, got into the act with some antics of his own with one special rider/trainer, Juan.  This show just keeps getting better and better!!

It's time to get back in the saddle.  We  hope everyone had a great summer and would like to welcome all our riders and volunteers returning for the 10 week fall riding session.

On Sunday November 13th, 2005 Freedom Ride will host The Freedom Ride and Rodeo.  This unique Ride and Rodeo is shaping up to be quite a community event already with corporate and celebrity participation by Walt Disney/Pleasure Island, Mikey from Orange County Choppers, Planet Hollywood, Channel 6 WKMG, 104.1 FM Shannon Burke Show, Orlando Harley Davidson, Shriners's Motorcycle Unit, ABATE of Florida, Lady Cycle Riders, Orange County Mounted Units providing escort, City of Orlando and Cecil's Real Texas BBQ.  The ride portion of this day will start at Pleasure Island on Lake Buena Vista in Disney, proceeding down Osceola Parkway and onto John Young Parkway, finishing at the Freedom Ride stables located in Trotters Park on Lee Road.  Rider registration for all events (ride, rodeo, bike show), food tickets, raffle tickets for custom harley chopper drawing will be available online at www.freedomride.com.  Stay tuned for more details as this exciting event unfolds!

Freedom Rides 5th Annual Arabian Nights Show, will be Sunday August 28th. This years show is shaping up to be the most exciting show to date. Thanks to the fine folks at Arabian Nights who will be hosting Freedom Ride again this year and allowing us to "strut our stuff" in order to raise funds for our therapeutic program. Information on individual ticket prices and Corporate sponsorships opportunities will be available shortly. All ticket sales from this event will support the Therapeutic riding program at Freedom Ride. Tickets will be available on-line shortly. So, stay tuned!

ATTENTION RIDERS!
DONT FORGET:
What: 2006 Riding Session 2
When: March 27th till June 4th

If you havet already turned in your form to register for the next session make sure you get them in ASAP!  The deadline for Session 2 registration is March 1st!

Well our little Diva pony Little Bit now has even more of a reason to act like the Diva she does...

A few weeks ago Orange TV came out and did a story on our sweet little pony and her history here at Freedom Ride.  For those that dont know, Little Bit was a rescue pony brought to us back in 1999 and has been an asset to the program.  Her small pony size doesnt stop her from feeling and acting like shes 17hands tall.  Check out our star on the Pet Pals program on Orange TV!

First of all, I want to thank all the volunteers that took time out of their day to spend with us at the 4H Show.  Without you guys that show couldnt have happened!  The day was definitely a hit and the horses enjoyed being able to "strut their stuff" with the rest of them.  Congratulations to our riders for their hard work, you guys did great!

Walk Class
Amanda - 1st
Samantha - 3rd
Jonathan - 5th

Walk/Trot Class
Maggie - 4th
Kaylee - 5th

Barrels
Brenda - 4th
Vanessa - 5th

Trail Course
Kaylee - 2nd
Samantha - 3rd
Jonathan - 6th

March 27- June 5:  Session II- 10 week hippotherapy and therapeutic session for riders

Saturday, May 6th - Derby Day Soiree  3:30- 6:30 PM

Sunday, April 23rd- Rider demonstration at Central Florida Fair      12:00 & 3:00 PM            

Sunday, August 20th- Arabian Nights Fundraiser , 5:00PM

"Classic Cookie Dough" Sale (Nov. - Dec.)

"Ride 'n Rodeo"  (Sunday - Nov. 11)

"Royal Lipizzan Stallions Show"  (Sat. & Sun., Nov. 24-25)

Session IV: Sept. 9 - Dec. 15, 2007

The 2nd Annual Cookie Dough sales were a success bringing in almost $1000!  Not to mention great tasting cookies just in time for the holidays!  Many thanks to everyone that participated in selling and buying cookie dough this year. 

Congratulations to our top selling riders:
Winner:  Shauna
2nd Place:  Darby
3rd Places: Johnathan, Maggie and Dustin

ATTENTION RIDERS AND VOLUNTEERS!

Dont forget that the winter riding session starts this week (January 3, 2006) and runs thru March 12, 2006!  We want to welcome everyone back, and hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday!  We are looking forward to having everyone back out at the barn, and the horses are ready to get back into the swing of weekly classes too!

Speaking of horses, as many of you know, our dear friends Gooch and Cinnamon have been retired, they are doing very well at their new home where Gooch has become quite protective over little Cinnamon.  But we have a new addition to our barn buddies... her name is Friendly and her name suits her well... she is a very sweet and gentle horse who we hope works out well for our program.