Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Freestyle Challenge

June 30, 2007

Saturday, June 30th, please join us at the Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Freestyle Challenge, held as part of the PVDA Ride for Life Benefit Dressage Show.

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, horse and human 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.

The Memorial Freestyle Challenge begins promptly at 6:45pm and includes guest speaker Lillie Shockney, our Exhibition Ride (I'll be riding Socrates), and the Freestyle Competition. You can help us raise funds for cancer research, in honor of Jill Hassler-Scoop, by attending (100% of gate fees will be donated directly to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center), by joining to sponsor the Freestyle Challenge, by participating in the "Bribe the Judge" Fundraiser that evening, or by giving a donation to the Johns Hopkins Breast Center via the riders participating in the Freestyle Challenge. Read a tribute to Jill. Learn more about the PVDA Ride For Life Benefit Dressage Show. I hope to see you there!