Seventh Annual Quiet Corner's Ride for the Cure® Raises Over 100,000.00

As October is breast cancer awareness month, on September 30, 114 riders got a jump start on fighting the disease at the seventh annual Quiet Corner's Ride for the Cure® held at Tyrone Farm in Pomfret, Connecticut.

The Ride for the Cure® is a 10-mile course completed at the desired pace of each rider. All riders must raise a minimum of $250 in order to participate. All proceeds benefit The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Connecticut Affiliate. Earlier this year, the Ride for the Cure® Coordinating Committee announced their goal to raise $100,000. At press time, the committee is pleased to announce that they have not only met this goal but exceeded it, as donations continue to arrive by mail.

Riders could not have asked for more perfect weather. As trailers steadily arrived at Tyrone Farm, the morning's brisk temperatures gave way to a day custom made for riding: dry and pleasantly warm, a vast improvement over last year's steady downpour.

Each year the Ride for the Cure® acknowledges the rider who raises the most money with the title of Platinum Rider. This year's Platinum Rider title went to Therese Hillman from Sturbridge, Massachusetts who raised nearly $7,500. Therese rode Apollo, a seven-year old blued eyed cremello gelding. "My trusty and 'unusual' looking mount is incredibly sane and calm on any trail and through or over any obstacle. No fancy or impressive lineage, just an incredibly good boy!" said Therese.

Therese Hillman and Apollo

To reach her goal, Therese sent dozens of letters on note cards asking for donations. "I must have struck a generous chord with many of my friends. I personalized each note and I think that makes a big difference in how folks respond. It was lots of work but with obvious awesome results! The perfect weather, the attention to detail and the hero's welcome I received made The Ride for the Cure® an incredible experience. This is the first year I participated but I am planning to become a regular attendee! I am grateful to everyone who supported me and hope that my contribution saves countless women from the suffering involved with a breast cancer diagnosis." In honor of her achievement, Therese will receive a portrait of her horse by Rhode Island artist Betsey MacDonald.

This year's unofficial "strength in numbers" title belongs to The Granby Horse Council, a non-profit organization founded in 1980 to protect and promote the rights of horses and horse people in the Granby Connecticut area. Collectively, members Arlene Bednaz, Debbie Brewer, Kathy Fisher, Allison Forsyth, Ed Geigner, Kristen Jennette, Diane Kane, Rosia Kennedy, Debi Ludwig, Gloria Ludwig, Michelle McCullen-Green, Pam Renaud and Kristin Strain raised an impressive total $5340.

The Ride has steadily increased in both attendance and donations since its first Ride in 2001. As many riders are "repeat riders," unique and creative ways to raise funds are revealed each year. This year, rider and Committee member Diane LeDuc received a special contribution from her brother. "My siblings have always been great about supporting my efforts but this year my brother went above and beyond. Married in July, the couple decided to eliminate 'favors' from the wedding and instead donate the money to the Ride. They made a beautifully framed piece that they displayed on the gift table informing guests that a contribution was being made in lieu of favors," said Diane.

Each year the Ride reveals stories of loss and triumph from those who have been personally affected by breast cancer. Rider Ronnie Green from Carlisle, Massachusetts, rode this year in honor of her friend Lorraine Cosgrove Ware. Shortly after Lorraine's diagnosis, she shared her desire to learn to ride with Ronnie. Ronnie then contacted friends Lois and Gabe d'Annunzio, owners of Icelandic Horses, to aid Lorraine in her goal. Regardless of weekly chemotherapy treatments, Lorraine indeed learned to ride and remained active in other physical pursuits during her illness. On September 25, 2007, five days before the Ride, Lorraine lost her four-year battle with breast cancer. With both Lois and Gabe registered to participate in this year's Ride, the friends decided Ronnie should take Gabe's place in honor of Lorraine.

Ronnie Green and Blokk

"For me, doing something constructive helps at least temporarily ease my grief. Lorraine was 43 years old and we had been friends for 20 years. I will miss her everyday. If the Ride makes a difference in just one person or family's life, it's been worth it," said Ronnie.

Third year rider and survivor Leslie Kennard from Storrs, Connecticut, shared her experience of the importance of seeking second opinions. After discovering a particularly worrisome lump, Leslie went to eight doctors before finding one who agreed to perform a biopsy. Ten days after the biopsy, Leslie learned she indeed had breast cancer. "The pathology report was really scary. I had many, many precancerous cells. I was on the verge of a death sentence. I felt as if I had just missed getting hit by a semi."

Twenty-one years after her diagnosis, Leslie's story has a happy ending. "I am now enjoying grandchildren I thought I'd never have. The best part about the Ride is that I see many young women who are mothers being successfully treated and living to see their children grow up and graduate from high school. This is a sharp change from not too many years ago and it makes me feel all the more strongly about the importance of the Ride," said Leslie.

The Ride for the Cure® could not have met its $100,000 goal without support from its many sponsors. Thanks to the generosity of this year's donations, in addition to the long-sleeved t-shirts and gift bag full of equestrian-centered goodies presented to each rider, door prizes were also on hand for an impressive number of riders.

Every rider also received a tote bag, compliments of national sponsor Dover Saddlery. Additionally, Dover sponsors the 2005- 2008 Gold Rider Collection Series: a collection of green equipment bags embroidered with the Ride for the Cure® logo. Each year a rider achieves Gold Rider status of raising $1000 or more, a different bag is added to the collection. First year Gold Riders receive helmet covers, second year achievers receive bridle bags, third year receive boot bags and fourth year receive coat bags.

The Ride for the Cure® wishes to thank all of its sponsors, including this year's Gold Sponsors Bayer HealthCare; Philips Medical Systems, Women's Health Care Business; Wal-Mart of Putnam and Warner-Chilcott for their generous contributions to this year's record breaking Ride. A heartfelt and special thank you is also in order to all the Ride for the Cure ® dedicated riders and volunteers.

For more information on this year's Ride or if you'd like to get involved next year, please visit http://www.quietcornersride.com.