Pride Ride cape Sun Valley in a rainbow of colors

STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Two sheep from Switzerland’s Valais sporting rainbow colors joined Sun Valley’s first-ever Pride Ride on Saturday.

Curly and Lambert wo sported colored crowns above their curved horns as they trotted along the Sun Valley Road bike path, stopping to pose for photos with the dozens of families along the way. Then they stopped to watch the draft horses coming at a gallop to come face to face with them.

“I take them out a few times throughout the year,” said Deida Runswick, who runs the animal rescue ranch in Hailey where the sheep reside. “It seemed like a good cause.”

Deida Runswick, Carolyn Gray and Skylar Runswick trotted out Curly and Lambert, who are proud residents of Sky Ranch Animal Rescue Center in Hailey.

More than 50 adults and children showed up for the ride, which went from the Horseman’s Center in Sun Valley to the River Run Lodge and back.

They were led by national mountain bike champion Rebecca Rusch, who established a non-binary category during Rebecca’s Private Idaho gravel race atop Trail Creek Summit last year.

“Rebecca is going fast in the streets today,” Pride Ride organizer Jen Smith said through her megaphone. “And it goes through Ketchum, not Trail Creek.”

Rusch told riders that Rebecca’s Private Idaho and her Be Good Foundation, which uses bicycling to create opportunities for personal discovery and humanitarian service, were thrilled to be part of the first Pride Ride in Sun Valley.

Stella St. George and Brooke Vagias, seen here with Jenna Vagias and Hawkins Dow, won awards for best decorated bikes and costumes.

“Horse riding is movement. Horseback riding is about community. Horseback riding is for everyone. It’s about using the bike for healing, empowerment and growth,” she said.

Stella St. George and Brooke Vagias won t-shirts and other prizes for affixing rainbow pom poms and crepe paper to their bikes, while wearing a colorful shirt, tights and ribbons in the hair.

Others tied colorful balloons to their bikes and toy carts and waved small rainbow-colored flags as they rode through the streets of Ketchum escorted by two county sheriff‘s cars of Blaine. Many motorists honked their horns, while pedestrians waved and took out their phones to take photos.

One of the participants, who grew up in Burley and has a second home in Sun Valley, was riding a tandem bike with a toddler.

The Pride Ride included many allies who came out to show their support for the LGBTQ community and diversity.

“It’s great,” he said. “It’s nice to see something like this in Sun Valley.”

“It’s fun to see everyone show up,” added Toni Bogue.

The group enjoyed pina coladas, blue raspberries and bubblegum snow cones from the big yellow Snowie Shaved Ice truck at the end of the ride, while Rusch handed out Miir insulated cans that fund water and sanitation projects. health.

The Pride Ride was the final four-day event of Pride Events at Sun Valley and was one of two events supported by Sun Valley Company.

Those on the Pride Ride stopped at the River Run Lodge before returning to the Horseman’s Center.

The station’s participation stems from a survey of employees who were asked what would make them feel more included and happier in their jobs, said Bridget Higgins, director of public relations for Sun Valley Company. Employees identified support for the LGBTQ community, women in leadership conferences, and a focus on people with different abilities as among the things they would like to see the company support.

Stella St. George said she loved seeing the contestants dress up.

“It felt good to be part of a group of people united for a purpose,” added Brooke Vagias.