FORT WORTH, TEXAS—More than 130 equestrians rode for a cause May 3, when they joined the American Paint Horse Association and Benbrook Stables for their second annual "Saddle Up! for St. Jude" benefit trail ride and auction in Benbrook, Texas. The group raised more than $18,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which treats and find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. Over the past two years, APHA has partnered with Benbrook Stables to raise more than $30,000 for the children of St. Jude's.

In addition to the 130 riders, nearly 60 business sponsors offered money and auction items, and dozens of volunteers from APHA, Benbrook Stables and the Dallas-Fort Worth community assisted with activities.
 
Bob Ray Sanders, vice president and columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram served as honorary trail boss for the ride. Texas State Representative Dan Barrett also served as an honorary trail boss, along with APHA President-elect John Corbin, who traveled over 700 miles from Colorado Springs, Colo., to attend.
 
The day's activities included an 8-mile trail ride around beautiful Lake Benbrook, followed by a chuck wagon cookout hosted by Coyote Creek Camp and a lively benefit auction conducted by popular auctioneer Matt Blevins. Entertainment included The Cowtown Opry musical group, trick roper Bryan Schronk and Hank the Cowhorse, and the Kamikaze Kowgirls trick riders. A special benefit barrel race was also held.
 
The "Saddle Up! for St. Jude" event was one of many activities being undertaken by APHA as it continues to serve its communities.
 
"Our heroes of yesteryear mounted up for just and right causes," said Jerry Circelli of APHA.
 
"Today, we have a new generation of heroes, like the people who participated in this ride, mounting up to do good. Horses still have the power to inspire us to do great things for our society.
 
"Through activities such as the Saddle Up! for St. Jude Trail Ride, we can see that people who are passionate about horses also have big hearts. At APHA, we plan to expand our community relations efforts to reach out and help even more people, through the power of Paint Horses."
 
To learn more about APHA and its community relations projects, visit apha.com/communityrelations.
 

More about APHA and American Paint Horses
APHA is one of the largest and most popular horse breed registries in the world with more than 925,000 horses registered. More than 35,000 horses are registered each year at APHA headquarters in Fort Worth, and the association sponsors a variety of fun activities for Paint Horse riders all over the world. APHA, a non-profit organization, prides itself on community involvement and educating the public about the beauty and talent of the American Paint Horse breed. Learn more at apha.com.
 
More About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is the world's largest pediatric cancer research center in terms of the number of patients enrolled and successfully treated. Since 1962, St. Jude's has treated children from all 50 states and more than 70 nations. It is also interesting to note that in 1962 the survival rate for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer, was 4 percent. Today, the survival rate is 90 percent, thanks to research and treatment developed by St. Jude's. St. Jude is supported primarily by public contribution. Learn more at stjude.org.