AQHA Ride Benefits Vashon-Maury Island Horse Association
By Karen Pickering
August 21, 2004.
Loading my rig with horses, clothes and tack I found myself anxiously awaiting the Island adventure to begin on Vashon Island. The ferry ride was calming as we made our way across the sound to the Island.
Just a few weeks prior, plans were being made for a successful outing to Tom Stewart’s Misty Isle Farms which pride’s itself in quality Angus cattle. Tom Stewart, owner of Food Services of America, got wind of an AQHA ride, which was going to happen at Fort Lewis. Due to unforeseen circumstances, plans were changed and Bill Cassidy, AQHA Ride Coordinator was looking for a possible location for the ride in 2005. The team at Misty Isle assured Bill that it could be pulled together for this year even though time to put it together was really getting tight.
Many late nights, phone calls and great help got this ride together for 2004! It was a huge success! 162 riders and spectators attended and over $10,000 was raised for charity. A portion of the proceeds will go to the AQHA foundation which funds research for all horses as well as the Maury Island Saddle Club. The horse community on Vashon Island has grown over the years and has really been a well-kept secret until now. Beautiful trails meandered through the woods and through parts of their very own cross-country course.
Misty Isle Farms provided the ride site as well as all the food for the ride. What a generous contribution to the success of this year’s ride! A team of powerful Friesians carried people around the farm; there were sheep herding and miniature horse demonstrations throughout the day. A poker ride, silent auction, live music and a great location also made for great fun. Several breeds were represented at the ride bringing a diverse group of people together.
Stephanie McCommon, Ride Program Coordinator for AQHA, flew in from Texas to share the weekend event. She updated us on upcoming Ride reward programs and announced that AQHA has even extended its program benefits to All Breeds. Other various sponsors attended the event, which included Luft Trailer Sales and Nutrena Feeds. Representatives shared information and supported the Silent Auction.
Bill and Ann Cassidy, along with family and friends, have generously contributed many hours of free time promoting the organization they love and the Ride Program which had its beginning in 1997. The success of this program is due to the many volunteer hours and generous contributions of many businesses that believe in the program, which promotes all horses.
For more information on the AQHA Ride Program visit the website at www.aqha.com. If you missed it this year, stay tuned with us for next year’s line up of exciting events! You won’t want to miss another one!
