The Challenge 2004 raises over $2,600 for Great Strides
Friday, July 9, 2004
The WHTA Pacers beat the TWHBEA Smooth Riders 22-16
in a softball game that raised over $2,600 for the Great Strides Therapeutic
Riding Program.
The second annual game was held June 27 at the H.V. Griffin Park in
Shelbyville, Tenn. The Challenge Trophy will reside in the WHTA office along
with a winning team photo. The Smooth Riders team consisted of members of
the TWHBEA youth program.
The TWHBEA Youth Board had chosen Great Strides Therapeutic Riding
Program for a service project. The youth look forward to playing the game
but they also collect items for the Silent Auction, help set up prior to the
game, and clean up all the trash after the game.
“We want to extend a special thank-you to the trainers who took time out
of their busy lives on a Sunday afternoon to play this game. It is
important to recognize the trainers’ commitment to this project and to the
youth in our industry. Members of the WHTA Pacers donated an unbelievable
$850 to the Great Strides Program, and it is absolutely wonderful to see
them interact with the kids,” said Joni Jenne’, TWHBEA youth and performance
show horse coordinator.
With the help of Kay Dennis and Regan Mercer, Great Strides participant
Buck Griffy demonstrated the riding skills he had acquired while attending
the Great Strides Program for the past 11 years. His parents quickly tell
everyone that Great Strides has made a big difference in Griffy’s life, and
is one of the positive influences that helped him graduate from Shelbyville
Central High School in 2004!
Volunteers make this event possible, and we want to thank all of them.
Lynne Williams, Suzanne Stokes and Janice Plyler handled the Silent Auction.
Sharon and Fletcher Griffin prepared all the food and delivered it to the
ball field. Cathy Simpson, Bonnie Brown, Pam Galeski, and Suzanne Hicks
worked the concession stand, and Dee Dee Sale helped with photography.
Jeremy Wilhelm was umpire again this year, and Woody Woodruff handled
the announcer’s booth with the help of Randy Sadler. Kyle Insell kept the
scoreboard.
Playing for the WHTA Pacers were Joel Weaver, coach; Knox Blackburn,
Jamie Bradshaw, Greg Brewer, Bill Callaway, John Alan Callaway, Nicole
Carswell, Sammy Day, Justin Jenne’, Carl Johnson, Chris Pickle, Tim Wheelon,
Chad Way, Chad Williams, Jeff Willis, Zack Wilson, and Anton Bowen.
The TWHBEA Smooth Riders were Brad East, coach; Blake Cammack, assistant
coach; Mac Benham, MiKenzie Brown, Luke Carswell, Jamie Daly, Seth Day,
Erica Derickson, Maria Derickson, Blake Everett, Rachel Galeski, Steven
Hartlein, Courtney Hicks, Cody Liggett, Matt McMurtrey, Catherine Simpson,
Summar Shamma, Hali Stokes, and Mary Jo Williams.
A huge thank you to the following whose Silent Auction donations helped to
make The Challenge 2004 a huge success:
Antique Mall
Billy Ray Cyrus
Bio Plastics, Inc.
Corner Cleaners
Dancy’s
Decker Manufacturing
EQ Rider, Inc.
Frito Lay
Heritage Jewelers
Jeff and Suzanne Hicks
Jack Greene
Kroger
Larry McLaughlin
Marsey Manufacturing
Thom Meek
National Bridle Shop
Kathy Potter
Robinhoods
Dee Dee Sale
Sand Creek Sales
Tim Stokes Family
TWHBEA
UGO
Walking Horse Chat
Walking Horse Report
Waterfall Farm
Lynne and Mary Jo Williams
The TWHBEA Youth Board officers are Catherine Simpson, president;
Kathryn Ramsbottom, vice president; MiKenzie Brown, secretary; and Joel
Johnson, parliamentarian.
Great Strides is a non-profit organization and contributions are
tax deductible. Donations can be made to Great Strides, c/o TWHBEA Youtb
Board, P.O. Box 286, Lewisburg, TN 37091.