2009 Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial
Dancing Horse Challenge

The 2009 Jill Hassler-Scoop Memorial Dancing Horse Challenge was a huge success. As a part of the PVDA Ride For Life, this evening helped to raise money for the John’s Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.

We had wonderful performances by such international riders as Olympians, Courtney King-Dye and Belinda Nairn-Wertman. Olympian, Debbie McDonald, was our celebrity gala speaker and very happily watched as two 2009 Brentina Cup riders also performed in the Challenge. Top judge, Linda Zang, picked the Rosenthal Land Rover prize winner (Belinda Nairn-Wertman) and a crowd of over 2,250 chose the People's Choice winner (Jennifer Sirrine).

Barbara and Degas performed a Tribute ride accompanied by the Bowen McCauley Dancers, Hope Garden dance studio and the music of Eva Cassidy. 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 and Brooke Urguhart. The Tribute honored local equestrians; Jill Hassler-Scoop and Grace Dalrymple; Patricia Ryan, sister to Olympian and Challenge speaker, Debbie McDonald; and Gloria Huggins, a previous Dancing Horse Challenge's National Anthem performer. Learn more about this event and why it is personal to Barbara.

In 2009, the 6th year, our motto was "Six Years — Six Figures!" Yes, we hope to raise over $100,000 to The Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Yes, we can still use your help. We always welcome donations throughout the year and are already looking for 2010 sponsors. Please visit pvdarideforlife.org for more information on how to become a sponsor or make a donation.

Donations are still being counted and the total raised is pending, but the pre-event auctioning of a dressage clinic with Olympian Debbie McDonald brought in $8,500, the Saturday evening silent auction raised over $10,000, and one group of North Carolina riders raised more than $20,200 in donations.

As Chair of the Dancing Horse Challenge Committee, I feel honored to have a group of wonderfully talented and dedicated volunteers. They are full of excitement and passion for making the show better each year. The evening is sure to be full of fun, excitement, and education, while helping to raise money for breast cancer research and sharing the beauty of horses with the public.

2009 Dancing Horse Challenge Committee

Barbara Strawson - Chair Janice Alperin - Assistant Chair and Project Manager Norma Lynn Fox - Project Manager Karen Yingst - Project Manager Hilary Moore (Barbara Strawson, LLC) - Marketing/PR Coordinator & overall PVDA Ride for Life Marketing Chair Sue King - Rider Coordinator Kerstin Albrecht - Volunteer Coordinator Judi Rosenfeld - Awards/Gifts Coordinator Frank and CeCe Maddlone (Equichord) - Creative and Technical Directors John DeMontfort - Projects Assistant Linda Baron - Projects Assistant