Horseback riders continue coast-to-coast trip with stop in Cape Girardeau

UPDATE

The event scheduled with the McGraths at the River Campus today has been postponed until Tuesday at the same time and place.

Original story

A Wyoming couple's coast-to-coast horse ride will continue today in Cape Girardeau as Richard and Jeannette McGrath ride from Gordonville across the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge in an effort to raise awareness for their ranch.

The ranch, which the McGraths named Hearts Up Ranch, was an idea the couple had as a way to pay forward the kindness they've received from God, the couple says on its website, www.heartsupranch.com.

The couple is using the coast-to-coast ride to help raise startup funds for the ranch, which would provide an encouraging environment with animal to promote emotional healing.

The riders will enter Cape Girardeau around 8 a.m. on Route K and reach the Southeast Missouri State University River Campus around 11 a.m.

"Cape Girardeau is a huge milestone for their trip," said Renita Rowland Gordon of Equestrian Influence in an email recently.

Gordon helped to organize today's event.

The McGraths will ride east on Siemers Drive, south to Bloomfield Road, east to Pacific Street and then south on Morgan Oak Street. They'll speak about their cause at the 11 a.m. news conference, where Mayor Harry Rediger will have a special presentation for the McGraths.

So far, according to the ranch's website, they've raised $2,300 in Missouri.

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, MO