It’s time to saddle up for the sixth annual “St. Jude’s Trail Ride” hosted by the Covington Cowgirls Drill Team. The ride is set for Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. at C.R. Pate’s camp house.

“C.R.’s place is on Brooklyn Road about 10 miles outside of Andalusia,” said Tricia Courson, drill team director. “This was the setting for other trail rides we’ve hosted and it is a great place.”

To reach C.R. Pate’s from Andalusia take the west bypass and turn onto Brooklyn Road at the Corner Market. Go about 13 miles and look for a wooden sign reading “CR’s.” Stay on the main dirt road to the camp house. The drill team asks participants not to bring pets or ATVs.

A donation of $10 per person is suggested for participation in the ride. They return to the camp for lunch and then the afternoon trail ride begins at 1 p.m.

“Riders come back to camp for a supper at 6 p.m.,” Courson said. “It is a wonderful event for families and we invite people to join us after the ride for the cookout. All we ask is for a donation for St. Jude’s.”

Riders have the option to take part in the morning ride, the afternoon ride or both. In addition to the trail ride, there is also a silent auction as part of the event.

“We have lots of door prizes,” Courson said, “And we are auctioning some personally signed Bo Jackson memorabilia.”

Courson said past trail rides were not only successful but also a lot of fun and the group expects that to be the case this year.

“We are expecting a large crowd,” she said. “We have a great weather forecast so it should be a good day for the trail ride.”

All of the donations support St. Jude Children’s Hospital and past trail rides were successful. This fund-raiser usually brings out more than 200 riders, Courson said, and raises an average of $1,500 to as much as $2,500 for St. Jude’s

“The community supports us so well,” Courson said. “We really appreciate that support.”

The drill team also hosts a Veterans’ Day trail ride in the fall, which benefits local special needs classes.

“With the exception of the St. Jude’s trail ride, the proceeds from everything we do stay here in Covington County,” Courson said.

For more information or to make a donation, call Donna Jones at 334-493-6730 or 493-7898. Those interested can also contact Tricia Courson at 334-222-8079 or any drill team member.