Riding for Mental Health
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340216)
Rockingham, Australia
July 3, 2016 1:12am CST
We have spent two nights away in our bus/motor-home helping at an endurance (horse) ride at Stratham in south-west Western Australia. Apart from being very cold, it was an enjoyable time. Vince manned the two-way radios which keep track of where horses and riders are on the track and I was on the 'desk', booking people into the ride and later marking down the times as horses came back from the various legs or sections of the ride.
Some people rode 10 kilometres, some 20, 40 o 60. Another group rode 80 kilometres with the option of doing another 20 for a total of 100 kms. Only three opted to do the 100 kms, including a junior. The theme was 'green' with proceeds going towards mental health services. Some people went to a great deal of trouble to be green for the day. The mother and daughter in the photo went to quite some effort to enter into the spirit of the day.
29 people like this
31 responses
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
4 Jul 16
They sure put their riding to good use doing this for charity.
Love the green motif!
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@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
4 Jul 16
@JudyEv oh they do look good. Unsure though what they are. They look like a cross between fairies and jockeys!
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@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 16
@allen0187 The theme was 'green' so I guess the fairy costume was something they had that was green. Fairies are very big with children here at the moment.
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@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
3 Jul 16
A worthy cause. My oldest son is schizophrenic. I also have a pseudo adopted daughter at work (no were not even related) who is on a waiting list for almost desperately needed therapy. She's been through some seriously dark times but if she can get the appropriate help I think she can fully recover.
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@koopharper (7601)
• Canada
4 Jul 16
@JudyEv Waiting list in this area is a year. The only way to jump the queue is to have a crisis that puts you in a psych ward for a few weeks. We're trying to avoid that kind of emergency.
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@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 16
@koopharper It's pretty tough for those suffering. A year might as well be a lifetime for some of these folk.
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@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
3 Jul 16
i shiver jest lookin' 't 'em, since ya said 'twas chilly, lol. what a grand cause'n i'm thrilled y'all'd such a great turn-out. no doubt those funds'll get put to use. what's better'n helpin' others, particularly when such can be done by horseback :) big hugs 'n thanks fer all y'all do!
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@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
4 Jul 16
@JudyEv perhaps the adrenaline 'twas keepin' 'em somewhat warm? looks's though both'f a blanket'f sorts 'cross their laps. i dunno, i jest looked't this 'gain 'n got shivers, lol. i'd been with ya - wearin' multiple layers :D
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@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Jul 16
@crazyhorseladycx The mother has a long skirt and the little girl a tutu/fairy dress affair. It was a bit warmer by that stage but I was mostly sitting behind a desk all day and you don't get warm that way.
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@DianneN (247186)
• United States
3 Jul 16
That seems a wonderful and fun way to raise money for a cause. Cute photo! My little granddaughter is spending some of her time at camp horseback riding. She loves it. I could only ride for 30 minutes and would have to call it a day. Lol!
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@CRK109 (14556)
• United States
5 Jul 16
@JudyEv I know. I've also learned from personal experience that some people who are licensed to help people with a myriad of mental problems often don't know what they're talking about. And they can sometimes do more harm than good. But that's a whole other story.
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@GardenGerty (160702)
• United States
7 Jul 16
What a great pass time, working as a volunteer at the endurance ride!
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@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 16
It isn't a great spectator sport and having something to do helps pass the time. Many sporting events of all types need lots of helpers so it's not a huge sacrifice. We have a nice social outing too.
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Jul 16
We enjoyed the day. There is another one in a few weeks.
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
5 Jul 16
Sounds like sssoooo much fun.... and all gor a good cause ..well done to you and your husband and your mindfulness (if thats a real word) of the community... 
1 person likes this
We have to miss the next two then there'll be another one at the same place.
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep 16
There is sometimes a number of groups who help at these events.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
4 Jul 16
What a lovely way to spend a couple of days and in such a good cause.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 16
They had nice weather for their ride this time although it was a bit early in the morning. The last two rides have been ridden in the rain.
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
4 Jul 16
Oh that's a lovely photo of mother and daughter .. the little girl is so cute!
.. the little girl is so cute!1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Jul 16
It is nice to see the young kids getting involved. There were two quite young - 8 and 10 - and they did the 10 kilometres. Then there was a teenager about 14 I'd say who rode 100 kms in the day.
@JESSY3236 (19942)
• United States
5 Jul 16
That's cool. I always wanted to learn how to ride, but I haven't gotten around to doing it.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340216)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Jul 16
I haven't seen an amount yet but hopefully it will be enough to be helpful.
