Hundreds of “Superheroes” gather at RTT benefit

Last month, over 400 people attended the 12th Annual Triple B ~ Boots, Band & BBQ and grossed over $200,000 to benefit the clients, horses and programs of Riding To The Top Therapeutic Riding Center (RTT).

This year’s events paid homage to the many “RTT Superheroes” - riders, horses, volunteers, longtime supporters and the evening’s guests and sponsors. Superheroes like Denny of DennyMike’s BBQ who served another delicious and abundant barbeque to the hungry crowd. This was his 10^th year and many said the food was the “best ever”! Other superheroes of the night included popular local band Under The Covers, auctioneer Elizabeth Holmstrom (dressed in a wonder woman costume) and emcee Michelle Taylor of 99.9 The Wolf, all who donated their time, talent and superpowers to the evening.

Saint Joseph's baseball team volunteers

However, the crowd soon learned the most powerful superheroes at RTT are the courageous clients and the horses they team up with at the center. Scott Wentzell, parent of a longtime RTT rider shared his family’s story and the role RTT horses have provided in their son’s journey. Wentzell noted, “It’s about a connection to these amazing horses. A connection is that based in science, but also seems to have equal parts spiritual and emotional thrown in as well. It’s a connection that is so easy to see, even if it is hard to really understand”.

RTT Executive Director, Sarah Bronson, thanked the many sponsors and volunteers that make the event such a success sharing that “This event is all about community – we receive tremendous support from start to finish, but especially in the days immediately surrounding the event, to transform the riding arena for this “party with a purpose.” This year IDEXX and Martin’s Point Health Care employees joined RTT volunteers to help with set up and then again with post event “take-down.” During the event, the Volunteers in Police Services of Gorham helped direct traffic and park cars while the Saint Joseph’s College baseball team members (40 of them!) helped with food service, the auction and recycling efforts. In total, 115 volunteers contributed nearly 1,000 hours in the various stages of the event (pre-event planning, set up, night of and cleanup days post-event).

The Triple B is RTT’s largest and most important fundraiser of the year, funding over a third of annual program expenses. To date, the event has raised over $1.2 million dollars and introduced the healing power of horses to thousands of community members.