MANCHESTER, VT – The Vermont-New Hampshire Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure – the Race for the Cure people – holds its second annual equine themed fund raising event, the Ride for the Cure, on Monday, Columbus Day, October 10, 2011, hosted by the Green Mountain Horse Association (GMHA) in South Woodstock, Vermont.
The Ride, which will traverse ten miles of forested trails maintained by GMHA and private landowners, will leave from (and return to) GMHA’s extraordinary facility in South Woodstock starting at 9:30 a.m.
Over the course of the day, riders will travel through some of the most beautiful country in central Vermont – including parts of Woodstock, Reading and Hartland – during the peak of the state’s legendary fall foliage season.
“Last year’s Ride was our first, so we capped participation at 100 riders,” says Lois Steele Whidden, Ride Chair and two-time breast cancer survivor. “The results were tremendous, honestly. We had 95 riders when all was said and done, and raised upwards of $46,000. Seventy-five percent of that, or $34,500, stayed right in the region and went to breast cancer education, screening and treatment. The remaining 25% went to Komen’s research program. We’re upping this year’s registration cap to 150, and we may go as high as 200 if the interest is there.”
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Each of the 95 ride participants committed to raise and donate a minimum of $250, as will be the case this year. All riders met the goal, most exceeded the goal and one, Colleen Hubbard of Walpole, New Hampshire, went above and beyond with her field-topping $2,053, which she raised in honor of her mom, a breast cancer survivor.
Riders were also encouraged to “Pink Their Rides” and many did, enthusiastically so. Most enthusiastic of all was Alysha LaFlam, from Charlestown, New Hampshire, who rode along side her mother, Tina LaFlam, another breast cancer survivor. Alysha’s mount was named Pinkest Horse.
Registration is open through October 5 but, given last year’s sell-out, riders are encouraged to register early. Complete ride requirements and registration forms are available online at komenvtnh.org. Learn more about the Ride’s host and Presenting Sponsor, the Green Mountain Horse Association, at gmhainc.org.
More information on the Ride for the Cure and other efforts to find a cure for breast cancer can be found online at komenvtnh.org. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
