ELSANOR, Ala. — Grab your horse and head out to Kaiser Farms on U.S. 90. There’s a fine trail ride scheduled for March 21.

Wait. What do you mean you haven’t got a horse?

Well, that’s OK. Head down to Kaiser Farms, be there around 9 a.m. and get ready to take a hay ride. The suggested donation is $15 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under for the ride. The ride is the sixth annual “Saddle Up for St. Jude” ride, and raises money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. The farm gates open at 7 a.m., and the ride begins at 9:30 a.m.

Larry York runs the ride. The man who says he “lives in Loxley, has a Robertsdale phone number and votes in Silverhill” has been running the ride since it began

“I was asked to put on another trail ride, and I was asked to do the St. Jude ride,” said York.

The hospital’s mission statement reads:, “The mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder, Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family’s ability to pay.” The hospital’s Web site can be found at stjude.org.

It takes dedication to arrange and lead a ride that lasts “about three and a half hours: aboard his quarter horse, “Sugar.” York says lunch is provided on the trail. The event is alcohol-free.

“I've been riding for a long time,” said York.

York added that the Baldwin County edition of the ride is one of the biggest in the country. Last year the ride had “about 500” horses and “about 1,000 people,” according to York. He added a camera crew from St. Jude filmed the ride last year, and is one of the biggest rides in the country.

The ride has been growing over the years.

“The first ride, we had 150 horses,” said York.

After the ride, there will be concert by the Nashville recording group “Alvarado Road Show.”

The opening act will be Amanda Pritchett, an area singer who appeared in the first round of the “American Idol” TV show a couple of years ago.

“I’ve been singing Gospel my entire life,” said Pritchett in a telephone interview. “My family had a TV station in Orlando and I’d sing on that.”

Pritchett added that she sings in local churches. While he usual style is Gospel, she’s going to be more than a little bit country for this event.

York added that there will be a petting zoo and an arts and crafts show as well.

The ride, York says, is good for both “beginners and advanced riders.”

“It’s a good family event,” said York. “It’s a good slow ride. It’s a chance to help St. Jude and have fun.”

The ride’s relatively slow pace has enabled past riders to see wildlife such as deer while riding, York says. A professional photographer will snap photos of riders at the creek crossing.

Don’t get nervous. While photos of previous events have shown riders swimming their horses, there's no swimming on this ride.

“You do cross a little creek, but it is two feet deep, at most,” said York.

While it’s a good time, York does not lose sight of the reason for the ride.

“The best part is knowing we could save some child.” he said.”

While he’s been invited to go to Memphis and see the work done at St. Jude, York has not gone.

“I don’t know if I could take it,” said York.

Still, York keeps organizing the rides.

“You get to ride your horse and maybe give a child a chance at life. What could be better?”