The trail riders were met with participants who walked a portion of the final course from the Crownpoint Rodeo grounds to the Navajo Technical University main campus.
Published August 21, 2019
CROWNPOINT, N.M. – Navajo Technical University Chinle instructional site director Arlena “Bo” Benallie embarked on a 135-mile horse trail ride with students, staff, and community members to bring awareness to higher education and improving the health of the Navajo Nation. The nine-day ride began at NTU’s Chinle instructional site and crossed into New Mexico to NTU’s main campus in Crownpoint. The event also included 5K fun runs at select locations along ride to promote healthy activity.
“We are very thankful for everyone who participated in this event, especially to the families and community members who welcomed us to their residence,” said Benallie, who rode the entirety of the event on horseback from July 29 to Aug. 6. “This was a great experience for everyone involved and we hope to gain more participation in the years to come. I’m thankful for the support and welcome we received throughout the trail ride.”
The trail ride was supported by community members at designated locations along the route offering their residence for overnight rest. The first stop for the riders was on July 30th at the Silversmith residence in Nazlini AZ followed by Ann Tsosie’s residence near the Lowes Grocery store in Burnside, AZ. The following day on July 30st they satyed the evening at the home of Ron Begay and family. On Aug. 1st, the riders were hosted by the Navajo Nation Department of Agriculture on behalf of Leo Watchman Jr. and on Aug. 2 they arrived at the Smoth Rock Arena at Martinez Bahe’s homestead in Yatahey, NM. Dr. Germaine Daye welcomed the riders in Brimhall, NM on August 3 the riders spent the following evening at the Dale residence in Coyote Canyon before staying at the Perry residence near Nahodishgish, NM on the final night.
Riders make their way along Highway 264 during their ride from Window Rock to the Smooth Rock Arena at Martinez Bahe’s homestead in Yatahey, NM. The riders were welcomed to rest at community members homes during the 135-mile trail ride.
The trail riders joining Benallie throughout the duration or the ride included Vida Benally, Eddy Draper, and Elroy Dale. Other riders who joined along the route included 2017 Navajo Nation Vice Presidential candidate Buu Nygren and NTU staff members Jones Lee and Duwayne Thomas. On August 6th, the trail riders arrived to a welcoming crowd at the Main campus with community members, NTU staff, and students joining as they walked in from the Crownpoint fair and rodeo grounds.
Four fun runs were held in conjunction with the ride in Chinle, Ganado, Window Rock and Crownpoint. Over 300 individuals participated in the series, which was held in celebration of NTU’s 40th anniversary after first opening as the Navajo Skills Center in 1979. The university has since developed into a university and has expanded its reach with instructional sites in Chinle and Teec Nos Pos, Ariz. and in Kirtland and Zuni, NM.
For more information about the NTU trial ride for higher education or about NTU’s Chinle instructional site, please contact Chinle Instructional Site Director Arlena “Bo” Benallie at (928) 674-5764 or abenallie@navajotech.edu.
The post NTU trail ride from Arizona to New Mexico Raises Awareness about Higher Education and Health appeared first on Native News Online.
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