Riding For Reading, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting reading, literacy, and education through equestrian sports and activities, is expanding its program in 2007. In addition to the Riding For Reading Benefit Show Sept. 3 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, six other shows throughout the country will host the Riding For Reading Class.
Riders from first through 12th grade compete in the Riding For Reading Class and based on how they place, their schools receive donations to purchase library materials. Last year, 50 riders competed in the inaugural class in Los Angeles.
“We received some excellent applications,” says Marnye Langer, Riding For Reading president. “The board is pleased to have some top A-rated shows, two local shows, and a spectacular youth dressage event.”
The 2007 Riding For Reading Host Shows are:
Woodside Spring Classic (Calif.) May 1-4
Ox Ridge Charity Horse Show (Conn.) June 20-24
Country Classic (Ore.) July 11-15
Youth 4 Dressage Festival (N.Y.) Aug. 20-26
Riding For Reading Benefit Show (Calif.) Sept. 3
Stonewall Farms (N.Y.) Sept. 30
Ke’e Road Stables (Hawaii) Oct. 13
All of the funds and grants generated from the shows will be donated to school libraries on behalf of the riders competing in the Riding For Reading Classes.
Riding For Reading’s programs reach across disciplines and various breeds. In 2007 one of the host events will be the Youth Dressage Festival, which is spear headed by Olympic champion Lendon Gray, who is particularly known for her work with junior riders.
"I was very interested when I learned about this class,” Gray says. “I felt it was a perfect match for the Youth Dressage Festival because of its emphasis on education. I also loved the idea that our riders would have another opportunity to be successful with ponies and horses that might not yet be stars in the Dressage arena.”
Last September at its inaugural event in Los Angeles, 50 riders competed in the class and 46 unique schools received donations to their libraries. Riding For Reading distributed over $5,000 to schools throughout the city. Many riders were recognized by their schools for their riding accomplishments.
More than 20,000 students benefited from improved library materials because of the Los Angeles Riding For Reading Class.