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Borrowed from the RideForRayasOfficial Instagram Page
Monday, September 21, 2026
Our first Ride For Rayas meet-up had to be somewhere special.
And this was SO special.
Yesterday, our first RFR grantees and their families arrived at Green Valley Tack to use the gear portion of their grants – and Jonna, Rita and Chloe essentially gave us the store.
Our RFR Youth Board was there in force, meeting our grantees and helping with coats, boots, fit and big decisions. Kathy Dando from IEA and Skylar Schwartz, our Zone 2 IEA Youth Board Representative joined us.
Thank you Dreamers & Schemers who made sure every grantee and Youth Board member left with a pair of their incredible socks – always Rayas’s fave.
There were dozens of us. It was loud and happy and absolutely wonderful.
This is why RFR includes gear in our grants. Being properly outfitted matters. We want our riders walking into their opportunities safely, feeling prepared, confident and like they belong.
And for me, there was something more. Deidre Hamling of course, first brought Rayas and me to Green Valley Tack. Rayas LOVED this store. Going there was never an errand – it was an event. On days she wasn’t able to ride, often we came to Green Valley instead. It always brought sunshine.
Yesterday, watching these riders experience that same joy, I could feel Rayas with us. In the noise, the trying on, the big opinions, the laughter, the horse things and the horse girls.
Thank you, Green Valley Tack, for opening your doors and your hearts to us and taking such extraordinary care of our riders. Yesterday morning was pure joy. And literally every day is the best day at Green Valley Tack.
Monday was a beautiful celebration. We gathered at Raven Hill Farm as Deirdre Hamling dedicated the indoor arena to Rayas. Here is what she said:
“Welcome everyone and thank you for being here to celebrate Rayas and our arena dedication. So, for those of you who don’t ride or know many equestrians, I should let you know that first of all, we are badasses. We think nothing of hopping on these 1,200lb majestic beasts. They are large – often very large – flight or fright animals – the kind of creature that can and will jump five feet straight up in the air because a plastic bag blows by – and yet we manage to form amazing relationships that are simply magical. But, getting back to badasses…yes, we are all of us a bunch of crazy badass horse girls, but the biggest, bravest badass of us all was Rayas."
Hamling continued, "She was fierce and fearless and determined and deeply devoted – a horsewoman extraordinaire.This is the arena where she showed up with so much grit and strength of spirit to ride again after going through months of grueling treatments. But show up she did. And ride she did – absolutely beautifully and gracefully. And as always, one with the horse – her beloved Nikko.
Every time I enter this space, I think of Rayas and of her courage and strength and her humor in the face of such adversity – of her quest for nothing less than excellence. And I want us all to remember and personify those amazing qualities and carry them forward with us because she not only made us all rise up to be better horsewomen – but even more importantly – she taught us to be better humans.
So, thank you Rayas. We love you sweet girl. We will forever and always endeavor to emulate your bold and brightly shining spirit. With love and gratitude and deep appreciation, I hereby dedicate this arena to Rayas and her legacy.”
For more information on Ride for Rayas, follow on Instagram @rideforrayasofficial or visit rideforrayasofficial.com
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