Rain or shine, the 33rd annual Trail Ride for Haven House will get underway Saturday in the Pinecone area

Rain or shine, the 33rd annual Trail Ride for Haven House will get underway Saturday in the Pinecone area on Highway 67 north.

Registration will begin at 8 a.m. with the ride starting around 10 a.m.

The property had previously been used for the trail ride when it was owned by Ted and Cindy Evans Farm, and is returning now, with the Hillis family operating the farm.

While participation in the ride is free, riders collect pre-paid pledges from family, friends and businesses to compete for prizes. The first three finishers will be determined by the total of pre-paid pledges presented at registration, and the selection of prizes will be based on their finishing order.

Prizes are: $1,500 VISA gift card, compliments of Hefner Furniture & Appliance; a $1,000 Visa Gift Card, compliments of Lisa Reynolds Insurance; and a $750 VISA gift card, compliments of First Missouri State Bank.

As usual, all riders, both gaited and non-gaited, who register with a minimum of $25 in pledges will receive a commemorative T-shirt, and will be eligible to win an array of door prizes donated by local businesses.

A continental breakfast, as well as a barbecue lunch of pulled pork cold sandwiches provided by board member Jerry Hillis, will be served. Hillis has purchased and cooked barbecue to be served to the riders and the volunteers since he became a board member several years ago.

Sponsors are Hefner Furniture & Appliance, Lisa Reynolds Insurance Agency, LLC, First Missouri State Bank, Vernon Homes LLC, Glory Days bar and grill, Larry and Robyn Hillis, Minton Environmental Consultants, Fishin’ Pigg, Bob Sutton Real Estate and Loans, Silverline Trailers, Steve and Vickie Jackson, Mary Francis Maddox and Rick and Krista Naegler.

Haven House Executive Director Amy Tinker said, “the Haven House Trail Ride has proven to be our most successful annual fundraising event.”

Participants are advised to bring lawn chairs.

“We’re excited to see our riders and a lot of people we only see once a year,” Tinker said. “So many people come in, especially for this ride.”

Trail bosses have been working with the Mark Twain National Forest to designate the trails.

The Haven House board is grateful to all the local businesses that contribute to the success of the event, organizers said.

Tinker and the board of directors thanked Drs. Rick and John Blaich, who hosted the benefit at their Black River Ranch for the past two years.

All proceeds will go toward the cost of sheltering women and children left homeless due to domestic or sexual violence in the 31-bed Poplar Bluff facility. The shelter staff provides around the clock management of the shelter and emergency hotline and advocacy for survivors.

For more information about the trail ride or the services offered by Haven House, call 573-686-4873.