HRU Open House & Duck Derby - June 21, 2025

HRU is excited to invite you to our second annual open house on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Wall, NJ.

This is a free event where you can meet our rescue horses and browse a variety of vendors donating proceeds to the rescue.

We board at a private facility and parking is limited. To reserve your vehicle's spot at no cost and complete a required visitor waiver for your party, please visit https://hruopenhouse.cheddarup.com/.

Hope to see you there! This event is rain or shine.

Get your ducks in a row for a great cause!

Also on June 21st, HRU is hosting our first Duck Derby at the conclusion of our open house (approx. 2 p.m. ET) via Facebook Live.

Adults (ages 18+) can sponsor a rubber duck for just a $10 donation or sponsor five for $50 and get two FREE! We call this our “Lucky 7.”

All duck numbers are randomly assigned. Your duck will swim with all the others on derby day at HRU's open house, and six ducks will be scooped from the water to reveal the winning numbers.

Important: When making your donation, be sure to include your cell phone and email so we can contact you after the drawing. Email lunar_aradia@yahoo.com if you can't include with your donation.

Make a tax-deductible donation for ducks via Venmo, PayPal or check/money order (cash accepted at 6/21 open house).

Prizes - to also include an HRU t-shirt!

1st: $250
2nd: $150
3rd: $100
4th: $75
5th: $50
6th: $25

Duck Derby FAQs

Do I need to be present to win?

No, this is a VIRTUAL event through Facebook Live. If we have technical problems, we will take a video of each duck being selected and upload to Facebook ASAP instead.

Who can sponsor a duck?

Duck sponsorships must be made in the name of any adult, age 18 or older.

Can I choose my duck's number?

No, all duck numbers will be randomly assigned.

Do I get to keep my sponsored duck?

Your duck will bravely swim for your chance to win fabulous prizes! You will not be able to keep the duck after the derby.

How do my ducks get in the water?

Prior to the duck derby, volunteers place numbers on every rubber duck. Each number corresponds to someone who has sponsored the duck. On derby day, volunteers bring the ducks to the water and dump them in at the start of the event.

How will I know if my duck wins?

Horse Rescue United will announce the winners on Facebook Live and contact you using the information you provided with your duck sponsorship. Please check your email.

What happens to all the ducks after the race?

Volunteers collect the ducks from the pond, give them each a lovely bath, and let them rest them until next year’s derby.

How much do ducks cost?

Each duck is a $10 donation. Or choose a “Lucky 7” package: SPONSOR 5 DUCKS, GET 2 FREE!

How do I know what number is assigned to my duck?

You will receive an email from an HRU volunteer within three business days of your duck sponsorship with your duck's assigned number. If you do not receive the email with your duck's number, please check your spam folder. If you buy a duck on the day of the derby, we will show you your duck's number at our open house.