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Participants in the Ride for Sobriety bundled up against cold temps Sunday, Nov. 26 before taking off on a trail ride aimed at bringing awareness to the dangers of drug addiction. Wyndi Veigel-Gaudette | Citizen staff photo -
Riders on horseback traveled down a roadway as part of the Ride for Sobriety on Sunday, Nov. 26. Participants traveled to have a chili dinner out at the No-zy Nabor Park at Lily G Ranch. Courtesy photo
A total of 28 riders and volunteers gathered Sunday, Nov. 26 in raising awareness of the devastating effect drugs and alcohol can have during the Lilly G Ride for Sobriety.
“It was a great success,” said Lilly G Arena’s Rick Taylor, who announced the event was held in memoriam of his godson, Mason Brooks.
The honor was postponed from October 2022 when a ride was planned in his honor but had to be cancelled due to weather.
Mason was involved with Lilly G for the last 10 years of his life. He also struggled with addiction. He died on June 28, 2021 at the age of 26.
“[Mason] was all about helping the young people,” Taylor said. “We decided to focus our energies to let younger people know [the dangers of addiction].”
Riders gathered at the City Park at noon for lunch before making the 8-mile trek along FM 219 to Nozy Nabor Park at Lilly G for homemade chili and fellowship.
Taylor said the cause drew many organizations and people from out-of-town committed to stopping the hurt of addiction as well as riders who lost family members in drug and alcohol-related deaths.
Taylor said the cold and wet weather might have hurt attendance but the plan is to keep growing the ride into the “biggest ride for sobriety in Texas.”
The next ride is tentatively being set in October 2024.
Although the Ride was not partnered with a specific organization, Erath has resourced in addiction education and recovery through STAR Council, whose mission is “working toward drug free communities one family at a time.” Their Stephenville office can be reached at 254-965-5515.
For more information, visit starcouncil.org.