Plymouth girl, 12, rides horse to Capitol in fundraiser for veterans' ranch

E’Leese Madgett Manrique, of Plymouth, has spent three months on horseback, raising funds for a ranch where she hopes war veterans can spend time reconnecting with their families.

By Tim Harlow, Star Tribune

Last update: August 31, 2008 - 11:31 PM

E’Leese Madgett Manrique wants to do more than send e-mails, letters and care packages to war veterans to thank them for their service. She wants to build them a ranch where those returning home can spend time reconnecting with their families and get healing from the emotional scars of battle without having to pay.

Of course, very little in this world comes without cost. That’s why the 12-year-old girl from Plymouth has spent the past three months trying to raise $16 million –that’s $3 for every person who lives in Minnesota – and sharing her vision by riding through the state on horseback, often carrying an American flag.

She started her 86-day, 1,000-mile odyssey June 7 in Buffalo, Minn. and visited scores of rural towns. Along the way she’s hobnobbed with National Guard soldiers and been escorted by mounted patrols and posses from county sheriff’s offices who walked, rode or drove with her.

Many of them, along with U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann and possibly Gov. Tim Pawlenty, will be on hand to welcome E’Leese home when she finishes her ride at noon Sunday at the State Capitol in St. Paul.

“This has been an awesome experience,” said E’Leese, who begins seventh grade at Wayzata East Middle School on Tuesday. “I just want to give back for what nobody did for them.”

E’Leese and her mother, Kerry, who followed close behind in a donated truck and trailer every horse clop of the way, is hoping that others will help her realize her ambitious goal of building what she simply calls “The Ranch” by chipping in the cost of a single cup of coffee or a can of pop. That’s how she arrived at the $16 million figure.

The money will be used to buy a 1,000-acre spread and build 51 log cabins. It also will have horses, cattle and pigs, Kerry Madgett said. “That’s just something everybody in the state could do,” she said.

E’Leese is convinced she can carry out her dream through her efforts called “One Girl One Ride," even though she has raised only $5,000 to $6,000 so far.

“When she started, I told her she had to be serious, have passion and not disappoint them (veterans) because it’s not just the soldiers, but it’s for their parents, grandparents and their families,” said Kerry Madgett. “If you give your word, you have to do this.”

Kerry Madgett did her part to make the trip possible. She quit her job, sold her car and most of her belongings and terminated her apartment lease to finance the trek.

Many nights the two slept in the horse trailer and truck, but others, inspired by E’Leese's quest, invited them into their homes and fed them too.

Cathy Snyder, a member of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Posse, was so touched by E’Leese's campaign that she offered her a place to stay.

“She is one of the most innovative young girls I have met,” said Snyder, who rode along with E’Leese as she navigated roads in Dakota County. “They are committed to the cause and really want to see this thing through.”

To raise the money, E’Leese pledged to ride a minimum of 10 miles a day for 86 days. If they can’t raise enough money, they will bring their cause to the nation’s capitol in Washington D.C. in efforts to rally support for veterans and their families.

E’Leese's dream was inspired last year when she was on a trip to Colorado. There she saw many large American flags draped around mailboxes and figured the flags were placed there in honor of veterans.

“That is when I just said I wanted to do something for them,” E’Leese said.

More information is available at www.onegirloneride.com.

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