Are You Tough Enough To Wear Pink?

By: Brittany Bevis

Are you tough enough to wear pink? Hundreds of multi-breed competitors, trainers, and spectators certainly were at the 2015 TETWP Horse Show in Wilmington, Ohio, September 18-20. The three-day event breast cancer charity event has been a big draw for the Ohio horse community for the past nine years.

“This horse show started nine years ago at a little county fairgrounds over at Circleville, Ohio,” says TETWP Committee Chair Chip Jackson. “If you told me then that the attendance at this show would’ve grown to be this big, I would’ve said you’re crazy.”

“For the first eight shows, all of the funds have gone to breast cancer patients. $293,350 has been given to the Stefanie Spielman Fund at OSU. The check for last year alone was $70,500, and this year’s check is going to beat that.”

The beneficiary of funds from this year’s event is The OhioHealth Foundation, and those monies will be used to support patients and their families through the G.H. Bing, MD, Cancer Center in Columbus, Ohio. “We’re going to primarily stay a breast cancer show, but through OhioHealth we can designate a percentage of the money to other types of cancer,” Jackson says.

The annual horse show is a huge draw, not only because of the opportunity it gives exhibitors to contribute to a worthy cause, but also because it provides $12,000 in guaranteed prize money, medallions to the top five placing riders in all classes, a live auction, raffle for incredible prizes, and specialty classes like the Versatility Classic, Trainers’ Pink Challenge, Survivors’ Walk Trot, and OHF Pink Egg and Spoon.

Judges Karen Watters, Sandy Curl, and Jennifer Leckey officiated the event this year. Watters, a 29-year breast cancer survivor generously donated her judging fee back to the cause.

The Wine and Cheese Party, sponsored by Wrangler of California and Repeated in Red/Libby Trucco, and Live Auction was met with an outstanding crowd and helped raise even more money to contribute to the overall total. Raffle prizes including Hauling For Hope IV- a two horse trailer donated by 4Star and Murphy Trailer Sales; Cutting For The Cure II- a stock 6000 ZT Elite Bad Boy Mower donated by B & B Industries, Inc; and Training For The Cure III- A training saddle donated by Osborne Tack were presented to the lucky winners.

In an effort to drum up extra publicity for the horse show, Jackson regularly travels to other equine events throughout the year with an eye-catching, pastel pink version of the Bad Boy Mower in tow. It’s on these cross-country trips that he’s had the opportunity to meet many cancer survivors. In fact, one year ago, Jackson had his first encounter with a 7-year, male, breast cancer survivor in Fulton County.

“The Survivors’ class is my class of the horse show,” he says. “It’s an emotional time because we know many of the riders. I travel throughout the spring and summer to different shows, and I get to meet a lot of survivors. For whatever reason, they’ve shared their stories with me. I don’t know what they’ve been through, but, in my opinion, those people have been to hell and come back.”

“Most certainly they live one day at a time and live each day to the fullest. They have such a great appreciation for life. It’s unreal to see them come through the gate doing what they love to do. Some of them have ridden in the class since we’ve been at the Roberts Arena and they keep coming back every year. That’s what it means to them.”

Another big hit at the show is the Trainers’ Pink Challenge, which was the brainchild of AQHA trainer Ty Hornick three years ago. “That year, we only had three riders,” he says. “This year, we had eight. It’s set up like a calcutta with people buying the riders, but all the money goes to a horse person who’s presently battling cancer. Last year, the figure was $1,800. This year, we raised $6,200, which was given to Beckey Schooler’s father, Bob Menker.”

“Bob’s son and Beckey came for the presentation of the check, and Bob rode in the Survivors’ class and won! Even though we have a good time and its turned into a pretty good horse show, it’s all about the cause. Our goal as a show committee is to have the Survivors’ class be bigger than the Memorial class, and we’ve got a way to go.”

Thanks to over 150 financial sponsors that contribute to the cause, not only is added money offered in a variety of different disciplines, but also High Point Champions receive special Montana Silversmith buckles and Reserve Champion receive custom made directors’ chairs.

The 2015 Tough Enough To Wear Pink horse show sold over 500 stalls and saw 1,800 entries. Stay tuned for results as soon as they are finalized.