RIDE FOR RIDERS
Supporting the Event Rider's Benevolent Fund
June 30, 2002

The 2002 Ride for Riders proved our busiest ever. With 21 clinicians and 108 entries, Checkmate farm bustled all day long. For once this year the weather was fabulous and over $6000 was raised for our Event Riders Benevolent Fund. Here's how it looked on June 30th.

Terri Hough coaching a show jumping session

MH Lessard starting an Entry level cross country session.

Ian Roberts coaching during a show jumping session.

Jennifer Irwin in a one-on-one dressage session

Paige Lockton had the right idea for coaching cross-country sessions - faster than Bob Holman's push bike anyway!

The impressive list of coaches included:

Dana Balfour
Karen Brain
Mia Cairns
Terri Gilmour
Martha Griggs
Linda Hasmatali
Bob Holman
Jennifer Irwin
M H Lessard
Paige Lockton
Lindsay Mahon
Anita Nemtin-Gilmour

Morag O'Hanlon
Selena O'Hanlon
Alex Reinfels
Ian Roberts
Leslie Saila
Stephanie St Pierre
Graeme Thom
Jennifer Thompson (JT)
Fran Warwick

Report from participating coach Karen Brain:

On June 30th I made my way to Checkmate Farm to participate, albeit not in a mounted fashion, in this years Ride for Riders fundraising clinic put on by Eventing Canada[!] I was more than pleased to be able to have helped out for this very important cause because, you see, I have been one of the most recent recipients of the program! Yes, just a brief 10 months ago I experienced a life altering accident from a horse , and while I was still recovering in the hospital, received a very generous cheque from Eventing Canada[!]. A few months later I again received a second cheque from Eventing Canada[!] and I cannot tell you how much I appreciated those cheques! With the extensive hospital stay and the sudden life change, and the growing need for ambulation equipment and other paraphernalia, these generous donations from Eventing Canada[!] were a God send.

As a recent recipient of the proceeds raised from this annual fund raising event, I found it quite suiting that I in turn volunteer my services to help build the "kitty" for the future should someone else need the generous assistance of the Riders Benevolent Fund.

This years clinic was very well attended by both volunteer coaches and riders from all of Ontario. It was nice to see the diverse group of coaches that volunteered their time, most of whom are in full swing with their own barns and businesses (or preparing for this years World Championships). It just goes to show how dedicated the coaches are to this particular cause, and notably so, because with horses no one is exempt from accidents, and should something unfortunate happen, it's nice to know this type of support is availlable. It was a beautiful day, a tad on the warm side and one that left me with stripey tan lines due to my AFO's (leg braces), and for me personally, it was great just to be out watching good horses and riders gallop and jump. Even I came back more motivated at the end of the day, ready to get on with my game plan, and hopefully all of the riders who participated also had a good day and learned some new bits of knowledge!

Karen Brain

2002 Report by Sylvia Villegas
So I've learned my lesson: nothing settles a doubting mind, or inflates your confidence, like a great clinic. At this year's Ride For Riders held at Checkmate Equestrian Centre, I benefited doubly; an enlightening dressage lesson was followed by a thrilling cross-country school, and I can say I went home more than satisfied. My mare was a little rock star, and my confidence soared!

Stephanie St Pierre coaching Sylvia Villegas and Nova.

I can tell you I'm not the only one who went home with a big grin on my face. All day I watched my friends and fellow competitors being schooled by 21 skilled and experienced clinicians in dressage, stadium and cross-country lessons. All day I heard nothing but positive remarks from riders about the clinicians, their horse's performance, and even their own progress; everyone had a great time! It was great to see Karen Brain participating as one of the clinicians, giving back to the cause that helped get her back on her feet — the Event Rider's Benevolent Fund, to which go all the proceeds of the clinic — and looking great! Why, even the sandwiches were delicious!

The day was an enormous success, raising over $6,000 for the Fund, and sending riders home happy. I certainly won't miss out on such a fun and positive experience next year, and hope you won't either!

Checkmate farm bustled all day with most of the available space in use.
Pictured here is a show-jumping session in progress, led by Mia Cairns.

Cross country sessions continued all day long over the vast acreage of fences available.
Shown here is Arthur on Corey during a prelim school at the water.