The 'Benefits' of Riding by Sandy Kucharski |
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A growing number of horsemen are participating in rides and events that benefit charitable causes. |
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What could be better than spending a beautiful day out on the trail in the company of other horse enthusiasts, then returning to a hearty meal? Or maybe you get the opportunity to spend a day with your favorite clinician. If showing is your forte’, you may enjoy a day of exhibiting, where you don’t feel that you’ve squandered your entry fee, no matter what the outcome of the classes is. Knowing that your entry or ride fees are going to support a worthwhile cause, makes a good day even better. Charity rides and events are on the rise, and horsemen are generously supporting them. Everyone benefits from these activities. Obviously, the organizations that are chosen as recipients get the proceeds. They also get exposure through advertising. The host gains positive recognition as the sponsor of the event. Finally, we as horsemen, get to enjoy participating. They provide us with more outlets for our sport, and even bring us together through raising funds for a common goal. Here in the midwest, we have the opportunity to take part in local, regional, and national events in our area. Some events ?like Ride-A-Thons? require sponsorships ahead of time; others raise funds through entry fees only. Because of the generosity of sponsors, many of these events also hold raffles, silent auctions and drawings the day of the event. This can bring in additional funds for the cause, and they’re fun for the participants. One of the largest organizers of equine charity events in the last couple of years has been the American Quarter Horse Association. According to AQHA, “In 2000, nearly 6,000 horse enthusiasts around the globe took part in the Ride Program, a series of international trail rides that take participants through some of the most exotic and scenic grounds in the world.” They explained that, “Since its creation in 1997, more than $500,000 has been donated to the American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF) from AQHA’s Ride Program. A portion of the proceeds raised from any AQHA Ride event is donated to AQHF, a second donation is made to a local charity chosen by the AQHA Affiliate. More than $83,000 was donated to charities in 2000, including the North American Riding Handicap Association. Local charities all over the world benefited greatly in 2000, with $64,190 in donations from AQHA’s Ride 2000.” The massive scale of the AQHA Ride Program has brought riders from around the world together to celebrate the joys of horseback riding and to raise money for charities. The fact that this event will be in its fifth year next year, shows that the interest and support for this type of activities is definitely there. For some organizations, relying on the generosity of horse people is nothing new. Free S.P.I.R.I.T. (Special People in Riding Therapy) Riders, Inc., has successfully held their Annual Ride-A-Thon for the past ten years. They hold their ride in the beautiful Kettle Moraine State Forest, near New Prospect, Wisconsin. The riders who bring in pledges to participate are joined on the trail by the Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders, the disabled kids on solid therapy horses, with their volunteer helpers. One lucky student even gets to be Honorary Co-Chair for the day, and their picture is used in all the publicity. Everyone gets to see the joy that riding brings these special kids. Special incentives to riders include trophies for the team that brings in the most money, a Not-So-Silent Auction, a free lunch, a live horse raffle, and commemorative t-shirt for participants. There is even a nearby stable where participants can rent a horse for the day, if they don’t have one to bring. Organizer Mary Narges said, “This year we are expecting about 150 horses, and we hope to raise $15,000,” on the ride scheduled for August 25, 2001. These special incentives are helpful in attracting participants to an event. Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities in Winfield, IL, holds a Bike/Hike/Ride-A-Thon each spring at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in DuPage County. They also have some of their program participants join in, along with another special guest. They are regularly joined by a popular radio personality, Anne Maxfield of WGN radio. Her participation is a boost for publicity, and the customary “goodie bags” they give out are anticipated treats. The Tri-County Horseman’s Association in Harvard, Illinois, has become known for having the same thing every year: a fun ride through the trails of Rush Creek Conservation area, followed by a great steak dinner, at a reasonable price. Organizer Jeanne Chupich explained that good quality food keeps people coming back year after year. Participants can ride and go to the steak fry, or just come for dinner, auction and dancing. Recipients of their benefit ride/dinner have varied over the years from St. Judes, to a specific family for fire relief, and most recently to cancer screening at a local health partnership clinic. Over the years, many have seen the generosity of horsemen in this community. Organized trail rides are popular fund-raisers, especially in the fall, but shows and clinics are also good options. A very large, well-attended benefit clinic was held this past spring in Texas for the legendary Tom Dorrance. Clinicians from all over donated their time to take part in this jamb-packed event. For attendees it was like the Olympics of “Natural-style” Horsemanship, seeing the best in the field all appear together. Events like the Dorrance Benefit raise thousands of dollars for their cause, but they shouldn’t overshadow the efforts of smaller groups who work just as hard, but on a smaller scale. The Clover Rockets 4-H Club from McHenry County, IL, chose a horse show as the vehicle for their fund-raising efforts this year, and MainStay, a local therapeutic riding center, as the recipient of their generosity. The show made about $2,000 ?a respectable profit for a local open show. Sponsors for awards, the judge and the arena helped keep the profits high. According to 4-H Leader and Show Manager Linda Lanzer, “We had a great response from riders and sponsors when they found out that [the show] would benefit MainStay. Everyone wanted to help out because they knew where the money was going and they like what they do. When asked why they chose to make the show a benefit instead of a club fundraiser, Lanzer responded, “Last year we didn’t have a purpose for the show other than raising money for the club. The attendance was almost half of what it was this year. The club ended up with too much money at the year (nice problem to have!) and we needed to find ways to use it up. By making the show a benefit, not only did we have the money already allocated, the turn-out was much greater when people saw where it was going.” The decision to take on fund raising efforts can come from a sense of community responsibility, concern, compassion, and even love. The latter was the inspiration for Lynn Miller to organize her “Ride for the Cure,” to benefit Breast Cancer Research. When the disease touched the life of her sister and one of the farm’s instructors she felt a need to do something. Since horses are a way of life for Miller, the decision to hold a benefit ride was a natural. Held at Bong State Recreation Area in Southern Wisconsin, the first ride made $9,000. The second ride in 2000 tripled in riders and made $23,000 of which 100% went directly to breast cancer research. The 3rd Annual “Ride for the Cure” is scheduled for October 6, 2001, and promises to be another major event. Although a worthy cause and willing participants helped to make the first two “Rides for the Cure” successful, Miller’s experience in planning successful charity events has been a definite plus. Miller’s Farm hosted a benefit for trainer, John Harms ?also battling cancer? that raised a good deal of money and proved to be a lot of fun. The farm also just completed hosting their 5th Annual Poker Run to benefit Bong State Recreation Area horse trails. Miller’s Farm, which borders the recreation area, has a lot of riders who regularly enjoy use of the trails, and this is their way to give something back to the park. Of the latest Poker Run, Miller commented, “People even came out for the Poker Run in 90+ degree weather to support the park. It was a good turnout for the ‘hand that we were dealt.’” Knowing that the equine community enthusiastically supports benefit events should help organizers that might be trying to decide whether to go this route. Sponsors react generously, and the mood of the event is upbeat. It’s also advisable that participants seek out these events. A good time is bound to be in store, and you’ll know you’re riding for the right reasons. |
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Upcoming Benefit Events: |
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| AUGUST 10: Michael Richardson Benefit Demonstration, Ledges Sporting Horses, Roscoe, IL. Contact Linda Green 630/377-8933 or mannaequine@yahoo.com AUGUST 12: SMILES Little English Show, Darien, WI. Contact 262/724-3470. AUGUST 25: STRIDES Therapeutic Riding Center Ride-a-Thon, Kankakee State Park, Kankakee, IL. Contact Carol Doenges 815/838-1694. AUGUST 25: Free Spirit Riders, Inc. 11th Annual Ride-A-Thon, N. Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest, New Prospect, WI. Contact Mary Narges 920/533-5025 or chkknmary@hotmail.com. SEPTEMBER 15: Tri-County Horseman’s Association Charity Trail Ride and Steak Fry, Sportsmans Club, Harvard, IL. Contact Kathy Webster 815/737-8172. OCTOBER 6: 3rd Annual Ride For the Cure, to benefit Breast Cancer Research, at Bong State Park, Western Kenosha County, WI (Raindate: Oct. 13). Contact Lynn Miller 262/537-2827. OCTOBER 6-7: Iowa Quarter Horse Trail Ride, The Natural Gait, Marquette, IA. Contact Renae Dudley 641/866-6754 or dudley@frontiernet.net. OCTOBER 13: SMILES Ride-A-Thon, Darien, WI. Contact 262/724-3470. |
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