Lisle teen rides to battle cancer

Horses fascinated Lucia Menozi as far back as she can remember.

As a preschooler, the daughter of Lisle residents Susan and Rick Menozi was thrilled to see a few horses on her drive to school every day.

"She would tell my wife and I that the light brown (horse) was her's and its name was Catalkins," said Rick Menozi. "As time went on, we'd stop and go to the fence and Lucia would talk and feed Catalkins carrots."

Lucia, now 15, enjoyed the riding lessons from her parents for her eighth birthday.

As she became proficient at riding, she looked at different riding disciplines and began to learn dressage, which looks as if the horse is dancing, Lucia explained.

"Dressage gives you a good base to build on," she said. "Once I was strong enough, I began jumping with my horse."

Lucia now competes in three events - dressage, cross-country and stadium jumping, which is done over bright colored stationary objects in an arena.

For the dressage and stadium jumping phases, she wears a navy hunt coat her mother made her. For cross-country, she wears a protection-vest in lime green and tan breeches.

The Naperville North High School sophomore's knowledge of horses and riding has earned her two overall champion U.S. Pony Club Regional competitions called Quiz Rallies. She's placed in the top three of many Illinois and Iowa riding events and went to the Illinois Dressage and Combined Training Association Championships.

Lucia's horse, "Agent Bradley J," is a chestnut 8-year-old thoroughbred that has a white star on his forehead. He measures 16 hands in height, which is 64 inches.

Lucia enjoys every part of caring for and riding her horse.

"Bradley is a high energy horse that raced in Florida," the teen said.

This summer, Lucia and Bradley have worked on building up the pair's stamina for "Riding for a Cure." It is a 20-mile trail ride to raise money for cancer research.

"Riding for a Cure" is an Illinois equestrian organization that benefits the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation. Lucia is the youngest participant in the event.

"This year, we made Lucia our honorary youth rider," said Christine Gabriel, the organization's founder and three-time cancer survivor. "We are so proud of her."

Ninety riders, all 18 or older, will join Lucia at the Lamplighter Equestrian Center in Wayne and the DuPage County Forest Preserve's Pratt's Wayne Equestrian Area. Each rider raised a minimum of $200 to participate.

"The premiere riding facility expands the reach of 'Riding for a Cure' to more riders who want to fight cancer," Gabriel said.

In the evening, 200 riders and nonriders will attend the dinner, dance, raffle and auction. Since the event's inaugural year in 2002, it has raised nearly $350,000 toward finding a cure for cancer.

Lucia collected more than $3,000 toward that goal from her successful letter campaign to family and friends. She wrote, "Just one dollar will make a difference."

"When I ride at horse shows the competition is against yourself and other riders," Lucia wrote. "This time my competition is cancer and, with your help, I'm sure I can win."

All proceeds go to the UCCRC Center where 200 renowned scientists and clinicians study and research cancer to enhance its diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The center is one of 41 nationally designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country and one of two in Illinois, said Mary Ellen Connellan, executive director of the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation.

"The UCCRC scientists study cancer at the molecular level to evaluate how minute variations in chromosomes or genes can trigger processes leading to the development of cancer," Connellan said. "Clinical researchers apply the knowledge discovered in the lab to develop and test promising new treatments and procedures."

As an example, Connellan said that the researchers "can tackle breast cancer on a molecular level, using targeted diagnostics and therapies that focus on infinitesimal components of cells."

The UCCRC team attacks cancer from a variety of angles.

Lucia and the other equestrians are tackling cancer by raising money using their athletic talents and sportsmanship.

"When our daughter found out that proceeds from 'Riding for a Cure' went to the University of Chicago, she wanted to do more," said Rick Menozi.

The teenager has two very good reasons. At this time, her father Rick Menozi is receiving treatment at the University of Chicago for head and neck cancer. The family is hopeful that new medicines and possible clinical trials will eradicate Rick's disease.

Lucia also is riding for her trainer, Matt Trynoski, who is receiving chemotherapy at the University of Chicago for lymphoma, a blood cancer.

Today at noon, "Ride for a Cure" all comes together. Lucia will join other compassionate riders eager to earn donations to help cure cancer, contributors who hope the cure comes soon and medical researchers and clinicians who bring their expertise and care to the great effort.

"Please thank everyone who contributed," Lucia said. "Every person that helped in even the littlest bit deserves a big thank you from me."

To make a donation, contact "Riding for a Cure" at (847) 304-8515. Details are at www.ridingforacure.org.