60 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Dani Moritz
At most horse shows we compete for
our love of horses, our drive to win and,
sometimes, just for our sheer enjoyment.
But earlier this year, Tasha Plunket
competed for something different - her
father’s life.
Tasha’s father was diagnosed with
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2003
and received a bone marrow transplant
from his brother in 2005. The treatment
was successful for a few years, but in 2010
he relapsed and is once again fghting the
battle against Leukemia while being treated
at John Hopkins and a local hospital.
Inspired by her father’s struggle, Tasha
entered the Equestrians Ride for a Cure
event, held at Halcyon Farms in Dillsburg,
Pennsylvania. The show, which welcomed
equestrians, community spectators and
more than 30 sponsors, raised more than
$10,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and
the Man/Woman of the Year Campaign. Proceeds from the
USHJA National Hunter Derby, Best Rider classes and “the barn
challenge,” a competition between local barns to raise the most
money, all contributed to the funds raised.
Tasha Plunket was glad to play her part in honor of her father.
“My dad has always been 100 percent supportive of my riding, so
it was gratifying to see that riding was helping to raise money for
research that could possibly beneft my father in the future,” said
Tasha, who has been an avid equestrian since age fve. “It was
also great to be a part of a show whose focus was to give back to
the community.”
For the event, Tasha rode 11 year old Rhinebeck, owned by
Patricia Allison, in honor of her dad and won the USHJA National
Hunter Derby. According to Tasha, winning the derby was quite
the surprise, as it was her frst time competing in a hunter derby
and only her third time showing Rhinebeck. But what really made
winning special was having her dad there to see it.
“My father is battling leukemia and it’s a rare occurrence that he
can come to my horse shows,” said Tasha. “Since this derby was
so close to home, he was able to watch me ride and his presence
was priceless.”
Thanks to the event, her father was not only able to see his
daughter win - and win for him - but he experienced support that
you just don’t come by every day.
A sea of red and white transformed the show grounds into a
place of hope and inspiration for those affected by Leukemia, like
Tasha and her dad. White cloth was draped over the tables with red
centerpieces, riders wore boutonnieres on their lapel to represent
loved ones, horses were braided in red and white ribbons and
staff members sported red shirts with LLS’s motto, “Relentless,”
on the back. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect setting.
“The reaction from the competitors was extremely positive
because everyone realized this event was more than a horse
show,” said Lauren Kohr, founder of Ride for a Cure. “We were
all working together for a great cause. As a representative of
the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for Team in Training and
a committee member for the 2012 Man/Women of the Year
Campaign, I would like to genuinely thank Barb Kohr, Halcyon
Farm and all the riders of Halcyon Farm who worked around
the clock for weeks to make this a successful horse show and
beautiful Derby. Without all of your commitment, enthusiasm and
hard work, this horse show would not have been the success it
was. At the end of the day, your “relentless” support, passion and
dedication is making a great difference in the lives of sick children.”
Due to the event’s success, Halcyon Farms looks forward to
continuing to connect horse shows with noble causes. They held
the 2012 Equestrians Ride for the Stars event August 25 to beneft
therapeutic riding programs and look forward to partnering with
JustWorld International in May 2013 for another beneft horse
show. JustWorld is a not-for-proft humanitarian organization
working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world
by helping impoverished children.
Through these events, Halcyon Farms and others like it will
continue to inspire change and provide something always worth
riding for - hope.
Showing off red shirts with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s motto, “Relentless,”
on the back
Photo by Paul V Photography
The horses were braided in red in support of the Leukemia and
Lymphoma Society
Photo by Paul V Photography
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