There’s a reason so many riders enjoy riding on the beach—or have it on their bucket list. It’s a challenging but fun environment. With a good horse, a beach is the ultimate equestrian playground. Now, what if you could take that fun experience and do some good with it? That’s what happens every year at the American Horse Association’s beach ride in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
For 35 years, the AHA has held the beach ride as a fundraiser, and over the years, riders have helped the organization raise $4 million for cardiovascular research. This year, the AHA reports that the ride on Nov. 13 raised more than $315,000 for the cause.
In the slideshow above, we get a look at some of the scenes from a fun day at the beach at the 2016 AHA beach ride. In the video below, a few of the 1,277 participants in this year’s event share why it was important for them to ride to support the AHA.
According to the AHA, heart disease affects both men and women, but it is the leading cause of death for women. Heart disease causes one in three deaths in women each year, a higher rate than all cancers combined. People of all ages and fitness levels can be at risk—even active, young equestrians. The beach ride is one way that the AHA raises funds to expand education and research to help people affected by heart disease live longer, healthier lives.
Find out more about how you can help and stay tuned for more news about next year’s ride at ahabeachride.org.
Leslie Potter is a writer and photographer based in Lexington, Kentucky. www.lesliepotterphoto.com
Leslie Potter is a graduate of William Woods University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equestrian Science with a concentration in saddle seat riding and a minor in Journalism/Mass Communications. She is currently a writer and photographer in Lexington, Ky. Potter worked as a barn manager and riding instructor and was a freelance reporter and photographer for the Horsemen's Yankee Pedlar and Saddle Horse Report before moving to Lexington to join Horse Illustrated as Web Editor from 2008 to 2019. Her current equestrian pursuits include being a grown-up lesson kid at an eventing barn and trail riding with her senior Morgan gelding, Snoopy.
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