Beat the Blues with Blazing Saddles

Fundraiser Featuring Blues Musician Terry Garland at LMC November 13

Story by Renée Eble

A benefit concert will be held on Friday, November 13, to raise funds and awareness for the nonprofit therapeutic equestrian organization, Blazing Saddles. Photos submitted.

A fundraising concert for Blazing Saddles—the nonprofit therapeutic equestrian organization in Blowing Rock—will take place on Friday, November 13. The concert will feature a performance by blues artist Terry Garland, a raffle and presentations about the organization’s offerings. The process of putting together the benefit is a story of happenstance, incorporating many unexpected supporters.

The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Hayes Auditorium at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk. A performing arts faculty member, Danielle Curtis, took the location of the concert as an opportunity to involve Lees-McRae Performing Arts students in the light and sound work as a service-learning project. A group of ASU Communications students are also involved to do public relations for the event. The students are a great assistance to the volunteer-run organization, but they aren’t the only set of helping hands.

Blazing Saddles is a therapeutic program for people from ages six to 60 with mental and physical conditions, from depression to Multiple Sclerosis. But it was one special needs rider who brought the whole concert together.

Riders train horses to kick around a rubber ball as a part of their mental and physical therapy sessions through Blazing Saddles.

Jessie Jackson is an avid listener of the blues artist Terry Garland. She had one album and “she listened to it so much, she wore out the CD,” said Fiona Chrystall, Blazing Saddles program director and riding instructor. Jackson couldn’t find another copy of the album locally so she contacted Garland herself. Garland generously sent Jackson a variety of his albums, and as the two kept in touch, Jackson informed him about her restorative therapy at Blazing Saddles. “I bet he would perform at the concert if I asked him,” Jackson said to Chrystall during one of her sessions. Jackson asked Garland and he agreed to donate his musical gift to the benefit. To listen to Garland’s music, click to TerryGarland.com.

Tickets to the benefit concert are $15 and $5 for students and children. The proceeds will go to the upkeep and medical costs of the organization’s four horses, equipment such as a wheelchair accessible ramp, scholarships for riders and winter projects. A ticket will include the chance to win one of two handmade quilts made by the Blazing Saddles group. The concert will not only help the organization financially, “it will raise awareness to perspective riders, volunteers and potential donors,” Chrystall added.

For more information about the benefit concert and/or to make a donation or volunteer with the organization, call 828-295-3335 or click to www.BlazingSaddlesnc.com.

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