Ramona Rodeo Foundation Poker Run Brings Community Together

The Ramona Rodeo Foundation Poker Run Ride, Bike, and Hike hosted a successful Poker Run on Saturday, January 17, bringing together community members for a morning of outdoor fun and fundraising in Ramona.

Held at the International Equestrian Center, the event welcomed approximately 52 participants on foot, bicycle, and horseback as they traveled a 4-mile scenic course through the San Diego Country Estates Trail system. Riders, hikers, and bikers stopped at checkpoints along the route to collect poker cards, with the best hands at the end of run earning prizes.

The poker run offered a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, drawing participants of all ages and backgrounds. Coffee and pastries greeted early arrivals, while leashed dogs and plenty of smiles added to the community spirit throughout the morning.

“It was put on by the Ramona Rodeo Foundation,” said Janina Olson, Chair of the event for the Ramona Rodeo Foundation Poker Run. “It’s bigger than I expected and put on all by volunteers.”

The event featured competitions in three categories: Horseback Riding, Biking, and Hiking, with first, second and third place prizes awarded. Equestrian Supervisor Marissa Travis won first place in horseback riding.

In addition to the fun, the event served an important purpose. Proceeds from the Poker Run benefited the Ramona Rodeo Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local youth programs, scholarships, community events, and charitable initiatives throughout Ramona.

Vice Chair for the Ramona Rodeo Poker Run event, Jess Koehler, helped Olson with the check-in process and explained that all of the money goes to the Ramona Rodeo Foundation for our community.

Olson and Koehler are on the board of directors for the Ramona Rodeo Foundation. Olson’s inspiration was to have an all-inclusive event for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, strollers, and dogs. “We have everything,” added Olson.

Organizers expressed appreciation for the volunteers, participants, and sponsors who helped make the event a success. The strong turnout highlighted the community’s continued support for the Foundation’s mission and its commitment to keeping Ramona’s western heritage and community values thriving.

“This is the first one to happen and it’s really great to see the community out here,” said Miss Ramona Rodeo Queen Nicole Bell. A volunteer at the event, Bell, said all the raffle prizes were donated by local businesses.

The event brought folks from surrounding areas, including Mary Jorgensen from Lakeside, who rode her bike. She works with Olson at the Barona Band of Indians Tribal Government and was happy to lend her support. She loves to do 5k races and this event was right up her alley.

“The Barona Band of Mission Indians is one of the top long-standing sponsors of the Ramona Rodeo, which is our largest annual fundraiser,” said Olson.

With the strong turnout and enthusiastic support from participants, volunteers, and local businesses, the Ramona Rodeo Foundation Poker Run proved to be a meaningful way to bring the community together. Organizers say the positive response to the inaugural event has inspired plans for future activities that continue to celebrate Ramona’s western heritage while giving back to the community it proudly serves.

Photos by Tiffany Pressler.