March 7, 2023 
If you’ve ever dreamed of jumping off for a good cause, now’s your chance!
Next Sunday, March 12, Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) will host the first-ever MeadowGrove & Friends 1.20m Classic to benefit #WeRideTogether.
The 2b jump-off class is open to all riders, even those who don’t wish to jump the 1.20m height (more on that in a minute). What’s more: the $150 entry fee delivers two-fold benefits. DIHP is generously donating all entry fees in the class to WeRideTogether (#HeroStatus) and it gives competing riders a crack at the $20,000 purse!
That’s right. $20K!
Prize money will be paid to 12th place with an additional $1k bonus to be dispersed to the grooms of the top three placing horses. Winners may also choose to donate all or a portion of their winnings back to WeRideTogether.today and further their work in making equestrian sports a safer place for all.
“We are so excited to sponsor the first MeadowGrove & Friends 1.20m Classic at Desert International Horse Park, and we hope this will be a fun way for people to come out and support the important work organizations like #WeRideTogether and the Courage First Athlete Helpline are doing for riders and the sport,” says Susie Schroer of MeadowGrove Farm in Lake View Terrace, California.
“For so many kids, participation in sports, including equestrian, is a key piece that shapes the people that they grow up to become. It’s our job to safeguard our barns and other recreational spaces in order to protect our athletes and provide them with the cherished athletic foundations they deserve.”
In addition to MeadowGrove and its clients, next Sunday’s DIHP class is also being supported by a number of “friends” from far and wide, including Francie & Dick Carvin, Nick Hannes, Joie Gatlin & Morley Abey Showjumping, Leslie Steele, Sandhaven Farm, West Coast Sport Horses, Kyle King LLC, Ingenium Farm, Elvenstar, Alora Sporthorses, Balmoral Farm, Meredith Herman & Jenn Serek, Nora & Morgan Thomas, Windfall Farm, Erin Duffy Show Stables, Whitethorne and Guillermo Obligado.
So, what if you don’t jump 1.20m, you jump 0.85m, but have always dreamed of seeing your name on a big-time start-list? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE. Non-competing riders interested in contributing to #WeRideTogether can donate their $150 entry fee and see their name up in lights as a thank-you for supporting the cause. Additional donations can be sent directly to weridetogether.today.
The bow in this bonnet? EVERY participant will get a pair of #WeRideTogether socks—guaranteed to keep you looking fly while doing your part to make sports a safe and healthy environment for all.
To enter the MeadowGrove & Friends 1.20m Classic, visit showgroundslive.com.
To make a tax deductible donation to #WeRideTogether, visit weridetogether.today.
Founded in 2021, #WeRideTogether started as an awareness campaign and educational website designed to empower, inform and unite the equestrian community around sexual misconduct prevention. The organization has since grown into a 501c3 and is creating a blueprint to help make all sports safer for youth, amateur, and professional athletes.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a free, confidential resource created by ChildHelp. Their counselors are former athletes who have been trained by sports-abuse researchers to offer support and guidance on concerns surrounding emotional, sexual or physical abuse in sport. The Courage First Athlete Helpline is for athletes of all ages, former athletes, parents, coaches, admin and anyone tangentially related to a sport-community. www.athletehelpline.org
