“So Very Grateful”: Equestrian Community Comes Forward With ‘Ride for the Roses’ to Assist People Going Through Dark Times

People are all aware of ‘The Run for the Roses’, otherwise more popularly known as The Kentucky Derby. The recent edition took place on May 6, 2023, with Mage winning the crown rather unexpectedly. However, on that very day, another event took place that is dubbed ‘The Ride for the Roses’. Started by philanthropist Nancy Hector in 2012, The Ride for the Roses conducted its 11th edition this year and brought together the equestrian community for a wholesome reason.

The Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers horseback riding and horsemanship classes as a means of therapy. Those with mental illnesses and other problems have embraced this initiative with open arms and the equestrian world can’t praise it enough.

The equestrian world lauds a noble effort

The executive director of Whispering Manes, Helen Picard said to Miami Community News, “The ‘Ride for the Roses’ student horse show was a triumphant celebration of the power of equine therapy in transforming lives, and it was an opportunity for our community to come together in support of our mission”. She continued, “We are so very grateful to everyone who attended the event and showed their support for Whispering Manes and the families we serve”.

The event, although held miles away from the Kentucky Derby in sunny Florida, did witness crowd members gathering in large numbers to support those little kids who were ecstatic with joy. The therapeutic riding center in Kendale Lakes, Florida provides a life of fresh air for those diagnosed with a myriad of problems such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, paralysis, Post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.

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The equine therapy works and it works like a charm. The individuals facing such challenges light up with joy, their faces brimming with smiles and happiness. Nancy Hector has created something beautiful out of a need to help those with special needs.

The ‘Ride for the Roses’ was a successful venture

The Ride for the Roses may have worked like a charm for all those kids who got to ride the horses at least once a year. But the event wasn’t just a therapy session for them. Men and women attended the event with their colorfully adorned clothes, and they came in large numbers. Women wore Derby hats and fascinators whereas men wore bowties with seersucker suits. More than 100 people were there in attendance and enjoyed themselves with mock-Mint Juleps, southern light bites, and raffles.

It was overall a festive affair and the crown uplifted the mood of the place. Needless to predict, the spectators enjoyed it as much as those little riders and this whole initiative took a further step in the right direction. A total of 21 riders participated in the event and a few ponies were selected for them.

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