Update. We're getting closer thanks to so many friends and family. Our shipping costs may end up as much as the pad. So we're needing to increase our goal. We're going to continue on this journey. Since we're new to ordering from Europe, this was not accounted for originally.

We are a small vaulting club formed almost a year ago. We have been gathering our supplies and equipment little by little. The pads we use now are two western saddle pads cobbled together. The cover is a black terry cloth slip sewn by a family member. We have very basic equipment that has brought us this far. We could really use a carbon fiber vaulting pad. It would really help our older vaulting horses be more comfortable. It is just not affordable for us at this time. We are asking for enough funds to purchase one from Europe and ship it to us. $1, $5, $10—every little bit helps. Our girls are so close to moving up another level and working in trot and canter. We have a super nice horse. He has kissing spines. It is managed. This special pad will help him and protect him. He is 20 and a former eventer. He's been a gem for our team. He gets excellent care and so much love. His name is Winter, and he is the dark bay in the photos. Our other vaulting horse is Thor, 21 years young. He is the red roan with the super long back. He's so sweet and willing to try anything. This pad would help him so much. With a long back, it can be weaker than a close-coupled back, so having better protection for him with this pad will keep him vaulting with us for some years to come. And our Haflinger pony mare is 22 years young. She is a real confidence builder for the younger kids. She is low to the ground and really broad-backed. This pad will bring her comfort while she teaches littles to trot.

We do everything in a workmanlike manner. Nothing fancy about us. We have made most of our equipment. This pad, other than our competition surcingle, is the biggest ticket item our club needs. We got a wonderful surcingle, and we are so thankful for the parent who stepped up and got it for us second-hand. Now we are just missing the pad that will help our horses the most.

While it is not a conventional GoFundMe ask, it is a needed item for the club. Every dollar counts. We really can't afford to be a non-profit, and fundraising in our very small communities is not practical. So we are reaching out on the internet. We want to expand the sport of vaulting and equestrian sports in general in our area. One long-term end goal is to become a therapy riding center and use our horses and equipment to benefit more people in our community. Having this special pad will be one more piece in the plan for our club and eventually a therapy center. Big goals are in our hearts for our vaulters, horses, and community.

Thank you ever so much for reading this ask, and thank you in advance for any help.

Coach Julie Lawther

Silver Linings Equestrian Academy Vaulters