Rich Goodale and the horse ranch
Donation protected
Rescue the Ranch --Owned and operated by Nancy and Rich Goodale
Cedar Valley Stables, in Tipton, Iowa is a special haven for over 30 horses and young girls. The ranch has been in operation almost 50 years, owned by Rich and Nancy for the last 25 years. Cedar Valley Stables is a camp for young girls to come and learn how to care for and ride horses. Camp sessions begin in June and run through August. Trail rides are also available on the weekends. It is nestled on 238 acres of beautiful rolling hills lined with trees and sits on the bank of the Cedar River. Nancy’s mother, Grandma Jo plays an important role in running the ranch by preparing the meals for the campers and nurturing them as well.
2018 has been a devastating year for the ranch, both emotionally and financially. In April of 2018, Rich was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. A tumor wrapped around a main artery, cutting off the blood supply which made surgery impossible. The cancer also metastasized to his brain. Treatment has not been successful and as the summer progressed, so did his cancer. His health has deteriorated to the point that he is not able to do chores on the ranch. To make matters worse, his 22 year old tractor blew its engine and had to be replaced. The horses on the ranch are “rescue” horses that spend their last days roaming the hills and being loved on by girls. Many of the horses are 20+ years – sadly a few passed this summer and others required vet care, which can be very costly.
Due to the extreme rain, Cedar Valley Stables was flooded and many of the weekend trail rides had to be canceled several weekends. By the end of the fall season, the ranch lost a significant amount of money which helps take care of the winter funds needed for the horses.
Many of the campers who started as young girls, have continued on to work summers as counselors, and are in their 20’s. These are a few quotes from them:
“The ranch is my world and I can’t express how thankful I am to have been able to grow up with amazing people who I call family. The lessons I have learned have helped me grow as a person. All of this is due to Nancy and Rich. They taught me that responsibility and hard work will make me a successful, productive adult.”
“Rich has inspired bravery, courage and kindness into the hearts of many young cowgirls at Cedar Valley Stables. His presence makes the horses calmer and makes everyone laugh. We are so grateful that Rich shaped our lives in such amazing ways so that we can conquer our fears and find kindness inside any soul – horse or human- that we meet.”
“Horses that come to Cedar Valley Stables are there for life. Every summer girls come, June through August and learn about caring for and riding horses. I found my passion for horses through that camp and I would hate for little girls to not be able to have that opportunity.”
“Rich is one of the most kindhearted and sweetest man who has been a dad to all of us girls. From goofy pranks, to picking us up in the bed of a truck or on the four wheeler, Rich’s smile was always my favorite one to see. The first time I ever fell off a horse, his only words to me were “wellllp, you wouldn’t last in a rodeo.” The ranch teaches girls strength, compassion, teamwork, responsibility, self-confidence and good moral values. The girls meet others from all walks of life and give them the hands on experience with horses of a lifetime. I have made some of my best memories out there, with the kindest, most forgiving and loving people.”
And now, as Rich has faced his battle against cancer with all his strength, bravery and courage… we ask that you may consider donating to help provide comfort and kindness as our cowboy prepares to ride into the sunset for the final time, and so that other young girls can continue to ride and grow and experience the love of horses and friendship.
“The love that you feel for a horse is not one you can find elsewhere. A horse is more than just a pet or a dog, a horse makes you feel inside your heart. It looks at you as if it understands your thoughts and feelings. The peace you feel on a horse is therapeutic.”
Till we meet again… thank you for considering contributing to this wonderful ranch…..
https://www.facebook.com/89130832352/posts/10155708823997353/
Cedar Valley Stables, in Tipton, Iowa is a special haven for over 30 horses and young girls. The ranch has been in operation almost 50 years, owned by Rich and Nancy for the last 25 years. Cedar Valley Stables is a camp for young girls to come and learn how to care for and ride horses. Camp sessions begin in June and run through August. Trail rides are also available on the weekends. It is nestled on 238 acres of beautiful rolling hills lined with trees and sits on the bank of the Cedar River. Nancy’s mother, Grandma Jo plays an important role in running the ranch by preparing the meals for the campers and nurturing them as well.
2018 has been a devastating year for the ranch, both emotionally and financially. In April of 2018, Rich was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. A tumor wrapped around a main artery, cutting off the blood supply which made surgery impossible. The cancer also metastasized to his brain. Treatment has not been successful and as the summer progressed, so did his cancer. His health has deteriorated to the point that he is not able to do chores on the ranch. To make matters worse, his 22 year old tractor blew its engine and had to be replaced. The horses on the ranch are “rescue” horses that spend their last days roaming the hills and being loved on by girls. Many of the horses are 20+ years – sadly a few passed this summer and others required vet care, which can be very costly.
Due to the extreme rain, Cedar Valley Stables was flooded and many of the weekend trail rides had to be canceled several weekends. By the end of the fall season, the ranch lost a significant amount of money which helps take care of the winter funds needed for the horses.
Many of the campers who started as young girls, have continued on to work summers as counselors, and are in their 20’s. These are a few quotes from them:
“The ranch is my world and I can’t express how thankful I am to have been able to grow up with amazing people who I call family. The lessons I have learned have helped me grow as a person. All of this is due to Nancy and Rich. They taught me that responsibility and hard work will make me a successful, productive adult.”
“Rich has inspired bravery, courage and kindness into the hearts of many young cowgirls at Cedar Valley Stables. His presence makes the horses calmer and makes everyone laugh. We are so grateful that Rich shaped our lives in such amazing ways so that we can conquer our fears and find kindness inside any soul – horse or human- that we meet.”
“Horses that come to Cedar Valley Stables are there for life. Every summer girls come, June through August and learn about caring for and riding horses. I found my passion for horses through that camp and I would hate for little girls to not be able to have that opportunity.”
“Rich is one of the most kindhearted and sweetest man who has been a dad to all of us girls. From goofy pranks, to picking us up in the bed of a truck or on the four wheeler, Rich’s smile was always my favorite one to see. The first time I ever fell off a horse, his only words to me were “wellllp, you wouldn’t last in a rodeo.” The ranch teaches girls strength, compassion, teamwork, responsibility, self-confidence and good moral values. The girls meet others from all walks of life and give them the hands on experience with horses of a lifetime. I have made some of my best memories out there, with the kindest, most forgiving and loving people.”
And now, as Rich has faced his battle against cancer with all his strength, bravery and courage… we ask that you may consider donating to help provide comfort and kindness as our cowboy prepares to ride into the sunset for the final time, and so that other young girls can continue to ride and grow and experience the love of horses and friendship.
“The love that you feel for a horse is not one you can find elsewhere. A horse is more than just a pet or a dog, a horse makes you feel inside your heart. It looks at you as if it understands your thoughts and feelings. The peace you feel on a horse is therapeutic.”
Till we meet again… thank you for considering contributing to this wonderful ranch…..
https://www.facebook.com/89130832352/posts/10155708823997353/
Organizer and beneficiary
Tori Lynn
Organizer
Tipton, IA
Nancy Goodale
Beneficiary