Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Dancing Horse Challenge

In October 2006, Jill Hassler-Scoop, my friend, mentor, and great contributor to the horse world, died of breast cancer. Jill's passion was horses. Her mission in life was educating riders to improve the lives of horses. By doing this, not only did she improve the lives of the horses she loved, but she had a dramatic impact on the lives of the riders she taught.

Words cannot express how Jill's presence impacted those around her, horses and humans alike. To Jill, educating horses and riders went way beyond learning how to ride a horse – it was a way of life, and a way to learn about life and living in the present moment. As my mentor, Jill taught about the spirituality of horses and how horses teach us about our own nature and spirituality. One of the greatest gifts Jill gave to me was bringing my awareness to this and showing me how to bring this awareness to others.

As my mentor for many years, Jill showed me much more than how to be a better teacher and trainer. To honor Jill, I worked with Ride for Life founder, Pat Artimovich, and coordinator, Athena Haresign, to create the Dancing Horse Challenge in June 2007. In 2008, I became the Dancing Horse Challenge Chairman and continued in this role for 2009.

In 2010, due to life and career I am unable to continue my role as chairman. However I have taken great satisfaction and comfort in knowing I have done a small part in the fight against breast cancer and also in following through with one of Jill’s precious gifts. I will continue to support the Ride for Life and Dancing Horse Challenge by performing the tribute and riding in the PVDA Ride for Life Competition. I will continue to look for ways to honor Jill’s memory and use her gift by bringing awareness of the healing power of horses to the community.

Learn more about the PVDA Ride For Life Benefit Dressage Show. I hope to see you there!

Remembering Three Years of the Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Dancing Horse Challenge

The 2007, 2008, and 2009, Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Dancing Horse Challenges were huge successes. As a part of the PVDA Ride For Life, this evening raises money for the John’s Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.

Over these 3 years, Barbara and her team recruited wonderful performances by such international riders and Olympians as Courtney King-Dye, Belinda Nairn-Wertman, Chris Hickey, Cesar Parra and Jane Hannigan.

In 2008, four–time Gold medalist Nicole Uphoff-Selke was our first celebrity gala speaker and celebrity judge. USA Olympian, Debbie McDonald, followed in 2009 as our celebrity gala speaker and very happily watched as two Brentina Cup riders also performed in the 2009 Challenge.

In addition to the People’s Choice winners (2007: the Ladies of Wyndham Oaks, 2008: Jane Hannigan and in 2009: Brentina cup rider Jennifer Sirrine), in 2009, Top International judge, Linda Zang, picked the Rosenthal Land Rover prize winner (Belinda Nairn-Wertman) , with a total of $5000 going to the top contestants.

Each year a highlight was the tribute performed by Barbara in honor of Jill. The first year was very special with a lot of emotion. Barbara, with the help of Marybeth Lewandowski and Hilary Moore, choreographed a ride to the music of Melissa Etheridge: I Run for Life and Meet Me in the Dark. She performed aboard Socrates, owned by Randy Johnson.

In 2008, Frank and Cece Maddlone of Equichord graciously gave their time and expertise in donating the choreography and music for the tribute. Barbara again rode Socrates and performed to Josh Groban’s Remember as well as the theme music from Gladiator.

Equichord, Barbara and Degas took the tribute to new heights in 2009 with the help of the Bowen McCauley Dancers, Hope Garden dance studio and the music of Eva Cassidy: Fields of Gold.

The 2009 tribute honored these amazing people:

• Jill Hassler-Scoop
• Gloria Huggins
• Grace Dalrymple, who had been a John’s Hopkins Breast Center volunteer
• Patricia Ryan, sister to Olympian and celebrity speaker, Debbie McDonald

Gloria’s sister, Lucretia, performed sign language during the playing of the National Anthem, a recording of Gloria’s. The choreography for the Tribute was done by Equichord's CeCe Maddlone and Hope Garden Ballet's Fran Ichijo. The Bowen McCauley Dancers were:

• Alicia Curtis
• Dustin Kimball
• Suzanne Creedon
• Brooke Urguhart