Review

Ride for Pegasus – 6 April 2013

ACTERA ran a 10 km social ride for Pegasus Riding for the Disabled in Canberra that has just had its government funding cut.

We had a minimum entry price and a sponsor sheet, and a woollen rug prize for the rider who raised the most money.

We had all the usual and unusual permit and paperwork problems leading up to the day, including a new Aon [insurance] form 48 hours before the start!!!

There was a hint of the good things about to happen when riders' pre-noms arrived from Sydney, Marulan, Nowra, Nerriga, Yass and Bredbo, and talk of how to bring serious money to the ride.

Companies came on board – for example, Masters provided amazing show bags and a $300 gift voucher for Pegasus.

But on the day, OMG, the weather was awesome, 26 volunteers arrived and 74 riders signed up. They endured the four pages of 'this could kill you' paperwork and the new 'get a witnessed signature', and lined up again to unload the money for Pegasus.

Many of these horses and riders were on their first outing from local agistment paddocks. Very brave souls. We had endurance riders available at vetting to show them how to do equine vital signs using the pink card as a guide. We had the super vets Steve Roberts and Simon Bain doing trot outs, and treasured Chief Steward Belinda Hopley supervising the lot. Steve and Belinda were especially heroic, having raced back from the NSWERA meeting at 2.00 am for a dawn start with us!!

Everyone returned safe and smiling after a tour of the arboretum, and all passed the trot out. Such a relief.

An ambulance appeared at base. PANIC. But it was for a random rider in the separate jumping arena. Stupid sport!!! JOKE ;).

The riders ranged in age from four to 81 years. The tiny riders were led by the real heroes who walked and jogged the 10 kilometres with hills.

After a home-baked morning tea, we had a presentation to the top fundraisers and to Pegasus.

Three riders raised over $1,500 each. The top fundraiser was 11-year-old Georgia Fort who raised $1,914.25 and took home the Horseland rug.

Total of funds raised by Ride for Pegasus was over $12,500.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED, YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

By Roz Edmunds

       

1. They are off!! (Photo: Katherine Breitkopf). 2. Coming home (Photo: Katherine Breitkopf). 3. Eta Rogoyska on Sunny and Angel Ben on Boston (Photo: Katherine Breitkopf). 4. Lauren Kelly on Apples with slave, Aunty Sarah Kelly (Photo: Katherine Breitkopf). 5. Aria Shelton on Diesel, Robyn Larson Shelton on Wishes and Isla Larson on Beauty (Photo: Jenni Clarke)

     

6. Jo-anne Rooker and Kazaan with Debbie Morrissey and Misty (Photo: Roz Edmunds). 7. Top fund raiser Georgia Fort on Aravale Classic with Pegasus people who also rode, Chris Nicholls and Emma Donnelly (Photo: Roz Edmunds). 8. Mineke Peerboom and Wooly, Achilles Georgiades and Rex, and Suzie Breitkopf (Photo: Roz Edmunds) 9. Trot up to start – Madison Kelly and Belle (Photo: Roz Edmunds).

   

10. Kristen Proudfoot on Tim Tam and Searle Johnston on Boris (Photo: Jenni Clarke). 11 Final trot out – Abbey Hines and Kieriky Cocomo (Photo: Katherine Breitkopf). 12. Riders in the brand new arboretum, Canberra (Photo Katherine Breitkopf).

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