Latest barn quilt honors Red River Riders

Shawano County’s 402nd barn quilt, on display on an 80-year-old shed at N6669 Cherry Road west of Shawano, recognizes the benefits the Red River Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding provide to people with disabilities.

The quilt was sponsored by Mary Lisa Carenza and the horse image on the quilt is in loving memory of a horse Mary Lisa owned and that was a beloved therapy horse at Red River Riders for four years. His name was Sweet Pete and that is the name that has been given to the quilt.

Red River Riders assists individuals with disabilities of various challenges and ages. The program began in 1985 and is now able to serve over 60 riders with a safe, healthy, cost-effective activity in an area with limited horseback therapy.

Chris and Walt Baldwin sold five acres of their farmstead, which they purchased in 1975, to Red River Riders, on which the arena was built in 2006. They also own the shed on which the barn quilt is displayed.

“Our program depends solely on volunteers,” Chris Baldwin said. “Our team of responsible, reliable and dedicated folks lead horses, walk beside the riders who need support, are members of our board of directors, help with fund raising and perform other needed tasks.”

The program is designed to address the needs of each individual, with riders showing improvement in coordination, balance, flexibility, muscle strength and body tone. Red River Riders is a fun and safe exercise program where riders and volunteers enjoy sharing an enriching activity.

If you would like to donate monetarily or have a horse you would like to have considered as a therapy horse, contact Chris Baldwin at 715-853-6449 or via email at 44cmbaldwin@gmail.com.

The barn quilt was painted by the Shawano County Barn Quilt Committee and was put on display by LeRoy and Keith Raddant of Raddant Electric in Shawano.