Pray for our Safety please

This week, actually starting today--

The 23rd Annual "Jack Monroe Horseback Ride-a-thon" !! Please visit or site "www.horsebackbeachride.com" (Jack is my DH of 30 years)

We have 1500+ horses (and riders) coming to Myrtle Beach, SC for a benefit ride on the beach. My husband and I started the Horseback Ride-a thon in 1983 (*2 the first year*) to support the American Heart Association. In 2003 the American Heart Association officially changed the name of the Ride to include Jack's name. Ironically, in 1989 Jack had the first of 4 heart attacks and was diagnosed with congestive heart disease. Thanks to AHA research, Jack is doing very well and loves to garden with me.

We are expecting over 1600 horses and 3000 people for the ride. Please keep all of us in your prayers for safety. We have been very blessed in our previous rides and would like to continue this event for a very long time. A lot of people dedicate a lot of time to ensure the success and fun for the riders that travel great distances to be with us.
This is NOT a solicitation for anything but a few moments of your time for your prayers for our riders and their horses.
God bless you all,
Margo

Congratulations on so many counts, Margo! :) I'm sure after all the work that's poured in, it'll be as much a success as it has ever been! :)

Best wishes,

Sarah

P.S. I'm so excited! Usually these kinds of threads get so many hits, and I'm way down on the list! I'm so excited to get to be the *first* to wish you well! :) Hooray! :)

S

Ohhh Sarah, thank you so much !!
I am so very excited! I got to ride my horse Wednesday and had such a good time. His name is Rocky and he recently retired from being a showhorse with the "Dixie Stampede". He is an Appalossa gelding and so quiet and gentle. I am sure he is glad I had a gastric bypass and lost over 90 pounds, only 40 to go now, lol. I will make pictures and post here from our ride.
DH is at the campground now meeting and greeting riders as they arrive. As of last night at 7 PM we had over 600 checked in. We have a lot of Vendors that come with all kinds of neat stuff like hats, saddles & other tack items, jewelry, and food...oh my gosh the food, hehehe :)) Pepsi, Dominoes and Big D's Bar B Q Barn are 3 of our food vendors, there are many others. We have Pepsi and Dominoes on the beach at the midway point and on Saturday afternoon at the Awards and Recognition Ceremony we have Bar B Q with all the fixings. It's free for the riders and their families and all the other Vendors. Strand Ice Company donates huge (!!!) boxes of apples and carrots for the horses. Hotels on the ocean front donate watering places for the horses, so ALL needs are met. It is so much fun for everyone. We have the very best staff at the American Heart Assoc. Office. They work tirelessly for 5 or 6 months before the Ride with Jack, his Co-Chairs and department heads for registration, coggins tests check-in, food service, security, vendor check-in and more. We have Vetrinarians that volunteer their time also. It takes a whole bunch of folks to make it look "effortless". Lakewood Campground lets us use their whole facility for a very nominal amount of money. If it weren't for them, there would not be a ride.

I forgot to tell you all that we grossed over $208,000 last year. Our goal this year is $220,000. Looks like we will exceed that, YAY !!
I am rambling again, I need to go oil my saddle. Betcha I have saddle sores for a month LOL.
God bless,
Margo

Your fundraiser activity sounds great. :) What a mental image, all those horses and their people on the beach. A picture's worth a thousand words, though... http://horsebackbeachride.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=100807

Congrats on your weight loss! My husband Howie and I have lost a great deal of weight over the last 18 months; I've lost 73 since April 2004 and Howie's lost 158 pounds in the same time (he's actually lost a total of 231 since his all-time high). We follow the dietary guidelines of the American Heart Association. Howie's dad died of heart problems/stroke, so it's a cause that's closer to our hearts, so to speak.

This message was edited Nov 10, 2005 10:59 AM

Congratulations on a wonderful event! You and all the others will be in my prayers.
Sharon

Thank you all so much...we are very excited. DH just came home for lunch and a short break. He says that the campground is filling up fast. Everyone is having a great time "horsing" around. We have many breeds and colors represented , many different kinds of wagons and sleighs and some of these "campers" do it in real style !!

Gardenwife~~ TY for doing that for me. I haven't learned all the ropes yet to DG but I do love DG so much.
Will try to keep you all up to date LOL

God bless,
Margo

margo, thank for giving me directions to the parking lot =). congratulations on the continued success of your fundraiser. i am in awe. i wish you and jack well, and will include all the riders in my prayers.

can't wait to see more photos.

annapet

Good luck & best wishes for a safe ride. I too can't wait to see pics!!

Wow what fun!! I want to go! Next year Margo, count me in! Send pictures as soon as you can. Can't wait to see them. Stay safe! I'll pray for the success and safety of the event.
Robin

Margo ,
I also wish everyone safety and alot of fun.

Such a huge undertaking for a worthy cause is very much appreciated.My husband also had several heart attacks before and a quadruple bypass a couple of years ago.

Good Luck and be careful ! GOOD wishes are coming your way.
Hugs,
Brigitte

Margo,

Our prayers for the safety of all will be with you. Good luck and congratulations on your fine planning.

Have a great ride.

Arlene

Hi Margo,

Good luck, be safe and have fun. 'Talk' to you later.

Suzanne

My prayers are with the horses and riders and their safety. This sounds like such a fun event, and for a very worthy cause. Post the pics as soon as you can.

Oh Margo, That sounds like so much fun; I wish I could be there. You will have to post lots of pictures.

You and Jack have done something extraordinary; the AHA is blessed to have you both working on their behalf.

Lots of good thoughts and prayers going your way for a safe ride for all two and four legged participants.

Have a wonderful time. alice

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your husband, and to all the many people who help make this event a success. May God bless each and every one. Hugs&blessings ... Elaine

Thanks everyone, hope you found the pictures I posted just a few moments ago. We had a wonderful, and very safe Ride and God bless you all for remembering us :)
Margo