There is a lot to be said about making the world better not by forever criticising what’s wrong but promoting what’s good. I think this little hashtag campaign brings that element of positive drive and it’s worth sharing.
The original post with the idea can be seen here: http://horsejunkiesunited.com/?p=85113 – check the link to see how to join the campaign and spread the #RideAboveHate 🙂
“I thought you might be interested in my story” – the email said – “My name is Verity Smith, I’m a blind dressage rider and my goal is to represent team GB and go for gold in Rio 2016.
In the lead up to London 2012, my horse died of cancer and I was involved in a head on car crash – in the end I wasn’t able to take part in the qualifying events. So now I’m holding a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise funds to purchase my next competition horse, beautiful Oldenburg gelding Szekit. Post 2016, the horse will be sold and the funds raised on Indiegogo will be given to two great charities – Guide Dogs for the Blind and Riding for the Disabled.”
The links followed taking me through to the actual campaign (see it here: The Kingdom’s Horse) and to Verity’s website and it became immediately obvious to me that whoever is behind this project is all in. Anyone can put together a website and a crowdfunding campaign nowadays but to give them personality, humour and breath of fresh air despite obvious obstacles as well as great attention to detail is not such an easy task. Perhaps you are surprised I mention these aspects of the whole story but I learnt that when you want to do something extraordinary you must do the ordinary, tiniest things very well. That’s what moved me in Verity’s story – the idea and its presentation – because I appreciate the thought and effort that went into it.
I especially liked the giving back element – the fact that the horse will be sold after the Olympics to help bring independence to many other blind people out there makes the whole project larger than itself. You might think, the romantic aspect of rider-horse relationship is somewhat lost here since Szekit won’t stay with Verity. However, he comes with a legacy message that might just be greater than a sentiment…
“I’d like to ask you – Verity wrote – “if you could help by sharing this campaign with your followers on your blog and any other social media you may use”
It’s a pleasure to help someone who isn’t afraid to go out there and ask. I admire Verity’s spirit, determination and drive to make things happen…
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What do you think? Will you help to make it happen? Feel free to share this post or Reblog if you like 🙂
I came across this interesting project today. The site says:
“Go for the Goal is a crowd funding site under construction. It aims to help high performance athletes, in particular equestrians, raise funds from fans and other supporters. I am a journalist with more than 15 years experience and I want to use those skills to help athletes get their stories out. If you’re an athlete or a potential advertiser, please contact me.”
I am told this site might grow to include amateur riders too…
Click on image to go to the site
It would be great to see a similar initiative in the UK for aspiring amateur riders and equestrian projects, don’t you think? 🙂
Official Blog by Aspire Equestrian Riding Academy 