Amston, CT: Carolyn McEvitt sent the following report about her experience in the Ride for the Cure. The Ride for the Cure® is a unique equestrian fundraising event. All riders must raise a minimum of $250 in order to participate. Proceeds go towards research dedicated to fighting breast cancer. October is breast cancer awareness month and so the Ride is always held in October. This year’s ride was held at Tyrone Farm, Pomfret, CT. More information can be found at http://www.komenct.org/events_rideforcure.htm

About this year’s ride,Carolyn says, “Well, contrary to the weather forecasters’ predictions of another lovely fall day, October 4th dawned dark and rainy. In fact, there I was at 5:30 Sunday morning feeding my beloved steeds when much to my astonishment the sky opened up and it started RAINING!! It just goes to show that Mother Nature once again likes to keep us New Englanders guessing! Undaunted by the moisture, my partner Meg Brauch and I loaded up our ponies to participate in the annual Ride for the Cure, which is held at the lovely Tyrone Farm in Pomfret, CT. I rode my ever dependable Connemara half-bred, C.K.C. Katie this year leaving her stable mate, Crib Glas Mandolin, home to enjoy a well-deserved day off.

Meg rode her little Morgan, Shoe, who had broken his 2 hind legs as a 3-year old. You may have read about Meg and Shoe in the last issue of “Women’s Health” magazine. Great story if you get a chance to read it. Most of the Ride was spent at the walk due to the poor footing, although we were able to trot and canter a few times where the ground was solid. Not having been off the farm much this past summer, Katie was rearing to go and led most of the way in her “Ever-Ready-Pony” manner. I was able to put her to a few of the jumps, which she gleefully took. Although we were all muddy, wet, and cold at the end of our 3 hour jaunt in the rain, we were very happy to complete another Ride for the Cure. Together, Meg and I obtained over $3000 in donations and thank all of you that supported us in this worthy cause." C.K.C. Katie (Erin-Go-Bragh X TB) also competes in Pony Club functions and combined training.

Baden-Württemberg , Germany: Elke Bader of Black Forest Connemaras reports that her Australian import, Glenormiston Annashee, was the Champion of all pony breeds at her two weeks long performance test. Elke says, “We are thrilled about this tremendous success. She was the only Connemara pony and her competitors were German Riding Ponies. They had to compete in lose-jumping, dressage and rideability under several riders and additionally were scored in handling, willingness and temperament.” In Germany all ponies who get high scores at inspection need to pass the performance test in order to gain the desired States Premium Title, the highest award for a breeding mare.