By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Plop Drop. Just the phrase itself evokes a myriad of images. And most of them are correct. But place them in the charitable context of helping out the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center and throw in a gang of uninhibited children, and the good times roll — or fly or plop.

Most of the youngsters in attendance immediately took to the handful of games on offer at Saturday’s seventh annual Plop Drop fundraiser for the GNOTRC. Most notable among them were poo-poo putt-putt, the cow pie throw and an egg toss. Given that each had the potential to become quite messy, they seemed tailor-made for the kids.

There were also many kid-friendly snacks such as cupcakes and snoballs. Although the two might seem incompatible, much hand washing was involved, and gloves were used for the more unsavory competitions.

Then, of course, there was the plop drop itself. The outdoor riding arena was divided into 400 squares, and each square sold for $10. Two sets of squares were sold. Two horses were set loose in the field, and the squares where the horses “plopped” were the winners.

“You’ve never seen people watch a horse so intently,” said Anita Hefler, executive director at the center.

According to Hefler, the event started as away to pay for veterinary bills for one of the center’s horses. As the center is funded in large part by private donations and fundraisers, keeping it going seemed like a good idea to Hefler.

In total, the event raised about $6,700 for the center, a figure bolstered by the fact the first plop drop competition’s winner, John Dart of Harahan, donated his $1,000 prize back to the center while the second plop landed on an unclaimed square.

“A lot of people told us if they won they would donate it back to the center,” said Hefler.

From the many volunteers, including Hefler herself, to the generous donations to the acquisition of the horses themselves, the operations surrounding the riding center are a labor of love. But the good they do makes it all worth it.

“The baby’s therapist told us about (the center),” said Tabetha Owens, mother of three riders. “They love it.”

The center, which Hefler calls “the best kept secret in LaPlace,” started in 1993 and moved to its current Shadowbrook Lane location in 1997.

Hefler said the GNOTRC receives support from the LaPlace Lions and the St. Charles Rotary as well as the United Way.

“We couldn’t do it without the support of the community,” she said.

Still, a great deal of the money must be obtained through fundraisers. Thus, the center has already scheduled the next event.

On April 18, the center will sponsor the annual Harleys for Horses ride. It will start at 11 a.m. at the St. John Civic Center on U.S. Highway 51 in LaPlace. Registration is $25 for individuals and $45 for rider and passenger. For more information or to register, visit the center’s Web site at www.gnotrc.com.