Wildcat charity ride to end after ten years

This will be the last year to “Ride the Wildcats” on the Brown Ranch. The annual charity horseback trail ride is shutting down after a decade-long run.

Brown Ranch is located nine miles South of McGrew. The ride was founded to raise money for the Linda Brown Memorial, in honor of a family member who died in 2003 after an eight-year battle with breast cancer.

The guided tour by Terry Brown through Wildcat's hills and canyons follows a 12 mile trail and consumes most of the day.

“You will see the beauty of not only the Wildcat Mountains, but also the beauty of the canyons,” Hope Wurdeman said. “There will be a wildlife ranger who will be able to take us to the big horn sheep and we should see wild turkey, mule deer, a possible bobcat and other wildlife.”

After the ride there will be a steak dinner, with cuts of red meat provided by Danny Weinreis, followed by live music with a barn dance.

The Browns want to thank everyone for their help over the past ten years in making the memorial a success and helping people suffering from cancer.

“The Linda Brown Memorial has grown to more than I ever imagined it could,” Terry Brown said. “We will make sure that all proceeds will go to Festival of Hope and donated to Linda’s memorial.”

The 10th Annual Festival of Hope Trail Ride—“Ride Through The Wildcats”--will be held June 29, beginning at noon on the Brown Ranch, south of McGrew off Road 34. There is a $25 registration fee for the ride and participants must bring their own horse.