American Royal Designates Five-Gaited Ladies Championship as First Pink Ribbon Class
Monday, August 6, 2007
The UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show now offers Saddlebred enthusiasts and others the opportunity to raise funds for breast cancer research…right from the back of an American Saddlebred. “With your generous sponsorship, an important tradition begins in 2007 -- a unique ‘Pink Ribbon’ class that not only honors or remembers those persons in your life who have fought or succumbed to breast cancer, but also generates much-needed funds to find a cure for the disease,” said Ann Rowland, Chair of the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show Committee.
“This new opportunity for the Saddlebred horse show community to lend its support to breast cancer research is also a wonderful way to stimulate participation in the Five Gaited Ladies National Championship,” said Rowland. “Today, one in eight women will face breast cancer. That statistic really strikes home when you think of the fact that in 2006, eight women competed in the Five Gaited Ladies National Championship. Among our own Saddlebred family of owners, exhibitors, and trainers, each can likely name at least one person who has fought this deadly disease. Now, there’s something else we can do to help race for the cure, and strengthen the network of support within our horse show family.”
The Pink Ribbon class, the Five Gaited Ladies National Championship, will be the last class of the Friday evening, Nov. 16, performance of the 2007 UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show. Sponsorships of the innovative Pink Ribbon class are open to anyone, and available at several different contribution levels. Sponsorships are based on a dollar amount that is pledged and paid according to the number of horses that complete the class, thereby creating an incentive for owners to have their horses qualify and earn a berth in the championship class. Sponsorship levels and recognition opportunities are:
- $100 per horse (for a maximum total contribution of $2,500): Sponsor may designate up to 3 honorees to be listed and pictured in Pink Ribbon Sponsorship section of horse show program. A long-stemmed pink rose will be given to sponsor at the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show; plus recognition from center ring during the Ladies Five Gaited National Championship.
- $50 per horse : Sponsor may designate one honoree to be listed and pictured in Pink Ribbon Sponsorship section of horse show program. A long-stemmed pink rose will be given to sponsor at the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show.
- $25 per horse: A long-stemmed pink rose will be given to sponsor at the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show; plus recognition listing in the horse show program of sponsor’s name.
- $10 per horse : A long-stemmed pink rose will be given to sponsor at the UPHA American Royal National Championship Horse Show; plus recognition listing in the horse show program of sponsor’s name.
For example, a sponsorship level of $100 would equal a $1,500 donation if 15 horses completed the class; if 10 horses completed the class, the sponsor’s contribution would be $1,200, at the $100 level.
Of the sponsorship funds, 50% will be paid to owners of the horses that complete the class; the remaining 50% will be donated to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Bottom line: owners of winning horses can receive the class’s regular prize money, plus half of the total Pink Ribbon sponsorship funds – an unusual payout arrangement that benefits everyone who participates!
Rowland added, “Sponsors may contribute at a level that honors or remembers a special person in their lives. If you know someone who has been affected by this disease, we encourage you to earmark your donation by designating that person as an honoree; honorees’ names -- even their photos -- will be published in a special listing in the horse show program, and major sponsors will have an opportunity to be recognized in center ring. Exhibitors also receive special recognition of their participation in the class, including a special pink-ribbon pin, distinctive prize ribbons that commemorate the occasion, and a pink rose awarded to each rider.
Spectators can also make a contribution. The Horse Show Committee is encouraging everyone to wear pink to the Friday night show. The American Royal Association will add $1 to the funds donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for everyone in the audience or on the rail who wears pink on Friday night. Wear pink and tell your trainer to wear pink! Exhibitors in other Friday night classes can also make a contribution. The Horse Show Committee encourages other exhibitors to wear pink in your class on Friday night. The American Royal Association will add $5 to the funds donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for everyone in the ring who wears pink on Friday night. Add a pink tie or lapel pin to your suit on Friday night!
“Together, we can help eradicate breast cancer, promote the American Saddlebred horse, and strengthen the network of support available to anyone in our sport who finds themselves battling this life-threatening disease,” Rowland said.
For more information and to obtain a sponsorship form, contact Paulette J. Orth of the American Royal at (816) 221-9800, ext. 119. Sponsorship forms are available at Pink Ribbon Sponsorship Form. Sponsorship forms can be mailed to Paulette J. Orth, 1701 American Royal Court, Kansas City, MO 64102 or faxed to (816) 221-8189. Deadline for inclusion in the UPHA American Royal Horse Show program is October 1, 2007.
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