Ride for Ribbons, Ride For Women!
When equestrienne Lora Scheetz's Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, Lora experienced a variety of unfamiliar emotions that she continues to struggle with. In an effort to channel her energies in a positive direction, Lora began to develop an idea to tie in her favorite sport with fundraising efforts for breast cancer research. For more information or questions, email Lora at
rideforribbons@yahoo.com.
In the beginning, it was just Lora, who bought a saddle pad and a pair of riding gloves carrying the pink breast cancer ribbon and deciding that for as long as her mom was fighting breast cancer, she'd honor her by showing in that saddle pad and gloves at every horse show.
Soon, Lora began to dress up the normally conservative show attire in the jumper ring with patterns of pink. After several unsuccessful attempts to join with an existing organization to create a fundraising program, Lora decided she would do it herself, and Ride for Ribbons, Ride for Women was born.
Read more about Lora's story!
The program promotes nationwide participation within the equestrian competition ring to help raise funds for breast cancer research. Any equestrian rider of any discipline and any ability level can participate. Whether it's western reigning, games, dressage, hunt seat, jumpers, saddle seat, driving, or any other realm of equestrian competition, riders have a chance, through a special sponsorship scheme, to raise money for this cause.
During the 2007 show season, Lora plans to run her Ride for Ribbons, Ride For Women campaign to raise money and help find a cure. The program uses open sponsorships, where each equestrian asks people to sign up to sponsor them for a specific show. Sponsors can include, family members, neighbors, school teachers, co-workers, local businesses, doctor's offices, who agree to donate varying dollar amounts based on ribbons won by their rider in competition. Click here to download sponsorship form.
Read more about how the program works!
Lora has also decided to raise money for breast cancer research by creating stencil decals on horses the day of a show (see stencil at right on the horse's rump.) She has designed her own stencils which are priced at $10.00 each; the "Find A Cure" stencil is $20.00. Lora plans to get permission at local schooling shows to see if she can put up a Ride for Ribbons, Ride for Women booth where people can get more info about riding with sponsors, and also get a decal shaved on their horse that day!
Lora has aligned with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation as beneficiary of Ride for Ribbons, Ride for Women. 100% of all donations raised are donated to BCRF. Lora's goal is to help all equestrians both near and far to do their part in supporting breast cancer research, and she can't think of a better way than this!
If you would like to be added to Lora's life member list, email her at rideforribbons@yahoo.com. Every equestrian will become a life member of Ride for Ribbons, Ride for Women by simply competing in a show with sponsors once. It is Lora's hope and goal to have equestrians all over the nation compete on a regular basis with breast cancer sponsors to continue to raise money. So keep Ride for Ribbons, Ride for Women updated on your accomplishments!
