As one in eight women will be diagnosed, the partnership linking riding and breast cancer is both a logical and potent one. Riding promotes a healthy active lifestyle for women and their families and horses provide the ultimate in both thrill and therapy. From pledge classes, pink shirts to trail rides, there are so many ways to make an impact and call attention to the cause. Add a class or ride for pledges at the local level (see Ride For Ribbons), start a trail ride, club show or clinic to donate the proceeds. If you don't have the money, a horse or even ride, you can volunteer your time and skills in helping to organize and run events.
Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament/125th National Horse Show
Syracuse, N.Y.
October 29-November 2, 2008
All riders can add $25 to their entry blank to become a "Rider for Research" and wear a pink armband during competition.
Pledged riders in the TK99 Speed Derby wear pink polos and are paired with individual or corporate donors who make pledges based on
jumps cleared by their rider. If their rider clears the pink "Riders For Research" jump, the donor's pledge doubles.
For more details or to get a pledge form to become a donor in the TK99 Speed Derby visit www.syracuseinvitational.com.
Ride For the Cure: Fall '08 Trail Rides
October 4, 2008 - Pink Ribbon Ride, Bucks County Horse Park Revere, Pa.,
www.buckscountyhorsepark.org/pink_ribbon.html
October 4, 2008 - Hooves for a Cure Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri (several venues), www.HoovesforaCure.com
October 5, 2008 - Quiet Corner's Ride for the Cure, Tyrone Farms, Pomfret, Conn., www.quietcornersride.com
In conjunction with The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to raise money and awareness about women and breast cancer, each rider raises or contributes a minimum of $250. Susan G. Komen For the Cure has been a global leader for 20 years in the fight against breast cancer by funding research grants, education, screening and treatment projects around the world. The Pink Ribbon Ride raises money to aid women with basic needs like medicine, groceries, etc.
The Breeders' Cup
Santa Anita Park, Calif.
October 24-25, 2008
The Breeders' Cup plans to raise a minimum of $250,000 for St Jude Children's Research Hospital and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure through ticket sales, one of a kind auction items, sponsor programs and private donations. The partnership marks the first time the Breeders' Cup has established relationships with broad-based global charitable organizations tied to the World Championships.
Ride For Ribbons, Ride For Women!
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
www.bcrfcure.org
Any equestrian rider of any discipline and any ability level can participate using a special sponsorship scheme to raise money for this
cause.
How it works: A rider signs up sponsors (family members, neighbors, teachers, co-workers, local businesses, doctor's offices, etc) and enters any type of show (rated, non-rated, schooling shows). There are no restrictions about what types of shows.
Sponsors donate to you if you earn a certain ribbon. A sponsor can donate by placings (Example: $20 for 1st place ribbon, $15 for a 2nd place ribbon, etc.) or simply donate $5 (or any chosen amount) for every ribbon earned. Money is collected from sponsors after the show.
Horse Power For Life
Chester Springs, Pa.
Year round for families with cancer
www.horsepowerforlife.org
Offers a 16-week horsemanship program free of charge to cancer patients who can also join with one family member to share the experience. The program uses the positive connection with animals, nature, and people to improve the physical, mental, social and emotional well being of patients, survivors and families dealing with cancer.
Program objectives:
- Learn new skills; gain a sense of control
- Build a bond with the horses, meet new friends
- Empowerment and opportunity to be a caregiver
- Have fun and time away from the hospital setting
Trainer Barbara Rosoff and Shiree Sansone, one of Rosoff's former students say they've designed the program to be flexible, so those with little to no horse experience can learn the basics.
"We wanted something to improve quality of life for patients and their families," said Sansone. "When they're with the horse, they have to be in the moment," says Rosoff, who has been training horses since 1981 and serves as program director and head trainer for Horse Power for Life.
Renee's Friends Fund
Littleton, Colo.
www.dressageforthecure.com
Runs 10 events a year from dressage shows, a polo match trail rides and clinics to assist women with daily living expenses as they obtain
the treatments and therapies necessary to fight breast cancer. Through Renee's Friends Fund women in need get help with non-medical expense items such as transportation, household costs, food and breast cancer supportive therapies and related supplies.
