Funds will go to benefit three-year-old Lane Skinner, who battles Leukemia. 

The Fourth Annual Ride for Clyde is scheduled to take place Friday, June 23, in the Cokeville Rodeo Arena beginning at 9 a.m. All proceeds go to benefit three-year-old Lane Skinner in his battle with Leukemia. With 343 entries, the day looks to be filled with great action and joy.

Ride for Clyde is a youth rodeo in honor of toddler Clyde Heiner who lost his life in 2020. Each year, Heiner friends and family organize the youth rodeo as a benefit for another child who is facing health or medical challenges.

This year, Ride for Clyde is “a benefit for Lane Skinner, the son of Ben and Amy Skinner,” shared organizer and mother to Clyde, Olivia Heiner. “Lane was diagnosed with Leukemia in December, and he did really well with his first round of treatments here in Star Valley. He’s been going to Salt Lake for treatments for the second round and it has not been going very well. His little body can’t bounce back between treatments and so they’ve been missing a bunch of treatments because it’s just been too much for his little body. It’s ended up being different than what they were expecting.”

Proceeds from the rodeo will help the Skinner Family with travel and housing expenses incurred during their extended stays in Salt Lake City. All funds raised from registration fees, donations, and the sale of swag, which includes hats and shirts, will go directly to the Skinner Family.

Heiner said that Friday “is going to be a fun day with lots of different events for the kids. There will be something for everyone.” Food trucks by Cody’s and Ranch Queen Loaded Fries, and an ice cream truck, will be on site to feed the crowd, and a portion of their profit will also be donated to the Skinner Family.

“We’re super thankful for all the sponsors who have helped to cover the stock contractor and other event costs, like the announcer and judges, so that we don’t have any overhead and all of the entry fees and donations can go straight to the Skinners.”

A Ride for Clyde Venmo,  @rideforclyde, has been created so that interested parties can donate directly to the benefit account.

“Any participation in the day helps funds go to the Skinners,” said Heiner. “We really appreciate everybody’s support the last three years. We are always just blown away with the support that everyone gives from the community to pitch in and help in times of need.”

Heiner is grateful for her team of friends and family who always help organize the benefit. “I want to mention how awesome our team is at pitching in and helping the rodeo come together. It takes a lot of work, and everyone gives freely of their time and resources to make it happen.”

The community is invited to attend the rodeo, cheer for their favorite young cowboy or cowgirl, and lighten the load for the Skinners.