Horses Trot Trails In Hancock For Breast Cancer
 Riders dressed both themselves and their horses up in pink for the fundraiser. |
At a horse show last year, it came to her.
Skidmore owns about 200 acres of scenic land that sprawls to the top of Potter Mountain Road and the Pittsfield State Forest and when her fellow horse riders said they would want to participate in a fundraising walk with their horses, the idea came — a trail ride.
For the last year Skidmore has been planning and organizing fellow riders to use the trails on her Kinderhook Farm to raise money for the BMC Women's Imaging Center's Patient Care Assistance Fund, which helps provide patients with wigs, bras, forms, lymphedema supplies, co-pays and deductibles.
"There aren't really a lot of places to ride," Skidmore said Saturday morning as dozens of horses and riders, many donning pink ribbons and decor, trotted around her farm. "I always said, being a nurse, that I would do something for breast cancer and this ended up being it."
Skidmore's aunt, Elizabeth Harding, went through seven different trials — including being one of the first to receive stem cell treatment. Harding died in 2003 but she was not forgotten.
The first 'Ride For A Cure' was in memory of her — at least for Skidmore. A large sign was built and riders posted photos, ribbons and dedications for their loved ones who suffered from cancer.
Skidmore said she chose the Women's Imaging Center as the recipient because she wanted to be sure that it went to an organization that needs the money.
 Skidmore dedicate the first Ride For A Cure to her aunt Elizabeth Harding and a large sign allowed participants to write messages to their own loved ones. |
While the horses headed out in groups and blazed their own trails — led by someone who knows the property — riders and many who were not riding were provided food, beverages, a disc jockey and a campfire.
To get it all together, Skidmore said it took a lot of volunteers.
The Hancock Fire Department volunteered to provide emergency services, the DJ was volunteer, donations from sponsors bought much of the food and D. Condron Construction even built a road on the farm to provide easier access to the trails.
Saturday's event was the first time Skidmore organized something like this but it won't be the last. She is already envisioning the event growing even bigger next year.
"It got scary at times but it fell together," Skidmore said. "Next year we can do better."
