Fourth annual Barrels and Bikinis fundraiser benefits Tioga County resident

The fourth annual Barrels and Bikinis fundraiser will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21 at Rockin’ N Stables Ranch, located at 3323 Wolcott Hollow Rd. in Athens, Pa. Proceeds from the event will benefit Nichols, N.Y. resident Dolly Talcott, who has been dealing with stage four cervical cancer.  

Rockin’ N Stables is a 32 stall horse boarding facility owned since 2013 by Monte and Nancy Nicholas.  Monte, a native of Utah, is the trainer, and Nancy, originally from Fayette County, Pa., gives riding lessons to individuals of all ages. 

Nancy explained, “We started the Barrels and Bikinis fundraiser as a way to give back to the community,” adding that previous fundraisers at the ranch have helped others dealing with cancer, including breast cancer.

This year, money raised will help Dolly Talcott, particularly with the extraordinary medical costs associated with her ongoing chemotherapy treatments, as well as costs for a recent hip replacement surgery.

Not all participants who take part in Barrels and Bikinis ride their horses wearing pink bikini tops, but most riders arrive decked out in pink outfits along with their horses donned with pink accessories or even painted pink.

Nancy shared that her husband, Monte, is a good sport each year when he trots out topped off by a pink bikini top, and all in support of giving back to the community.

Rockin’ N Stables indoor arena opens at 10 a.m. the day of the event, with the show slated to start at 11 a.m. Horseback riding events include dash, lap race, keyhole, barrels and poles. Age divisions are twelve and under, ages 13-17, open ages and over 40. In past years as many as 40 riders participated in the event.  

The cost to participate is $10 for each event, along with an additional fee that includes a free tee shirt. Prize money will be awarded.

Plenty of food and refreshments will be available, too. Multiple vendors will be set up, and a Chinese auction and 50/50 drawing are part of the activities. Raffle items will be across the board, such as specialty products and services, and gift certificates to businesses and restaurants from the area. Fun children’s activities will keep young people busy, such as sack races and Popsicle races.

The event is open to the public. The Nicholas’ welcome everyone to visit the farm, watch the horseback riding events and enjoy the activities of the day. 

For additional information about the 4th Annual Barrels and Bikinis at Rockin’ N Stables, contact Nancy Nicholas at (570) 250-1038, or find the event page on Facebook.