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Folsom Police Mounted Police and The Grace Foundation Host Poker Ride

Editor: Alan Gray, NewsBlaze

The Folsom Police Department Mounted Unit and the Grace Foundation of Northern California will host a 'Poker Ride' on Saturday, June 21st, 2008 at the Grace Foundation's property in El Dorado Hills, CA. Over 50 horseback riders and their mounts from throughout Northern California and Nevada are expected to participate in the event. Proceeds from the $40 entry fee will go to benefit the Grace Foundation and the Folsom Police Mounted Unit.

During the event, the riders guide their mounts through a marked cross-country course, with terrain ranging from gentle to very steep and rocky. The riders stop at 5 predetermined check points and randomly receive a playing card. The rider with the best 5-card poker hand at the end of the ride will be declared the winner. The ride is not timed but is expected to take 1-2 hours, beginning at 10:00 A.M.

The Grace Foundation of Northern California (www.thegracefoundationofnorcal.org) is a non-profit equine rescue and rehabilitation facility in El Dorado Hills. The Mounted Unit's partnership with the Grace Foundation dates back to 2005 when the Foundation began boarding and providing daily care to the Police Mounts at no cost to the City of Folsom.

"Our relationship with the Grace Foundation has been absolutely critical in the continued deployment of our Mounted Unit," said Sergeant Dirk Regan, supervisor of the Unit. "Foundation founder and director Beth De Caprio and her staff have been wonderful to work with. This is our first Poker Ride and I'm sure it will be a great success."