Chicago Hunter Derby Returns to Support Local and National Equestrian Charities on September 10-11
Since its inception, Chicago Equestrians for a Cause has raised more than $500,000 for selected charitable beneficiaries. That total will increase September 9,- 11, 2016, as the organization hosts its ninth annual Chicago Hunter Derby, this year in proud support of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation, the United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation (USHJAF), and Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding.
This year's event, presented by Canadian Pacific (CP), will be held at Annali-Brookwood Farm in Antioch, IL, and will give spectators the opportunity to witness many of the nation's finest hunter horses and riders in competition and enjoy exquisite food, boutique shopping, silent auction and raffle, appearances by the Millcreek hounds, face painting, a petting zoo, and more - all while supporting the four exemplary non-profit institutions.
"It's so satisfying to be giving back to the charities," said Lynn Jayne, co-founder of Chicago Equestrians for a Cause. "We want to host a great charity event and support these wonderful non-profits. It is important to us to support local charities as well as those charities that help the equestrian industry."
Jayne and fellow Chicago-area professional equestrian Carl Weeden founded Chicago Equestrians for a Cause as an organization dedicated to showcasing high-level equestrian events while raising funds for charitable groups.
Their inaugural Chicago Hunter Derby was held in support of the USHJA Foundation and has since expanded to support the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation, and newly added for 2016, Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding.
"The USHJA Foundation is something that was really close to our hearts when it came to choosing the charities," Weeden said. "Lynn was president of the Foundation for many years, and we both currently serve on the Board of Directors and know well the work that the Foundation does, so it was an easy choice."
The Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago likewise became the ideal fit for the support of Chicago Equestrians for Cause.
A lifelong Chicago-area resident and native, Jayne and her daughter were both born at Northwestern Hospital, the academic partner of the Children's Hospital and the campus on which the hospital is located. For Weeden, whose youngest daughter is autistic, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago was a destination for testing and care.
"Going to the doctor and doing tests can be stressful enough, but when you have a child with special needs it's really amplified," Weeden said. "Going to the Lurie Children's Hospital just makes it so much easier. They're really used to dealing with all kids and special needs kids as well."
The hospital, ranked as one of the nation's top children's hospitals by U.S News & World Report, relies on philanthropic support, like that of Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, to care for more than 174,000 children each year.
Similarly, Chicago Equestrians for a Cause third beneficiary, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation (UCCRF), raises the funds vital to supporting basic, clinical, and population research programs related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer at the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center. Donations to the UCCRF, both large and small, support innovative research that brings us closer to making cancer a manageable disease, to help to expand the scope of cancer control and prevention efforts, to save lives and diminish the harmful effects of cancer and help train young scientists who will make discoveries that will benefit humanity for generations to come.
Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is also proud to add Horsefeathers Therapeutic Riding to the list of supported groups for the first time this year. Horsefeathers is a non-for-profit equine program dedicated to using horses and ponies to improve the quality of life for children and adults with special needs, located in Lake Forest, Illinois. Horsefeathers builds on the many benefits that horseback riding confers which can profoundly impact an individual's physical, mental, emotional, and social realms, and provides one-on-one Hippotherapy by licensed Occupational and Speech therapists, high quality therapeutic riding instruction by PATH-certified instructors, and provides coaching and support to its riders who participate in the Special Olympics Equestrian Events.
The general public is invited to enjoy the spectacular hunter derby event and join in support of all four organizations.
"There's been an outpouring of support of people in Chicago - both from the local and the horse community," Weeden said. "We can't say thank you enough to the sponsors, the community, and the spectators that come and watch us year after year. We couldn't do it without them."
To learn more and to view the full schedule of events, please visit www.ChicagoEquestriansForACause.com.