Barbara's Healthcare Fund: Community Shout Out!!

To all Barbara Evenson's many many friends,

If you have had the pleasure of knowing Barbara over the years, whether through horsebackriding, volunteer work, or on the job, you know she is a mover and a shaker. You know she is a bit sassy. You know SHE is always up for an adventure, a funny story, a great restaurant outing, off to the races, or just hanging out in the sun at the barn or a small party. Where do you know Barbara from? I met this amazing woman when I first started out riding with my horse Areion. We met at Ellen's place in (?? forgetting right now!!) NJ, and started riding together soon thereafter. Barbara came right up and introduced herself, and really taught me (with Cosi and Areion) how to ride on the trails. We called it Xtreme Trail Riding. And it was. She really knew how to go fast through the twists and turns, where to canter, and where to go slowly-- she had it all memorized and was great leading a trail ride. She was (and still is) my absolute favorite person to go trail riding with, sit out in the sun after dismounting and have some snacks while our horses graze (mostly peacefully) nearby.

Barbara was involved in so many aspects of the horse world-- she was involved in so many activities and fundraisers over the years, more than I personally know about, but SHARE YOUR STORIES below!! I left the barn I met her at and moved with (and because of) HER and Cosi to Heavenly Horses, and helped her create trails around there that still stand today, as well as creating trails for the Turkey Trot. She was a part of the original HAMT and volunteered for the SRF relentlessly! I know she alsol liked to help out at the Eventing course at NJ Horse Park.

Barbara's energy is something else! She is a no-nonsense, get up and do it kinda gal. Every place she has worked at has deeply appreciated her energy and organizing skills, as well as her sharp wit and (dare I say) sarcasm. She has never in my life said a mean word to me, even when I have been late to ride so many times. She was the first to always offer a helping hand, whether it be advice as to the BEST place in NJ to buy tires, the top tack shops and sales, travel to expos, and was a tack shop of her own... ANYTHING you needed, she had TWO of them or more! Always a positive energy and a force to reckon with.

Well, this fundraiser is for us to give back to Barbara in the BEST most practical way: she could use some help with the medical bills that have just been so many! Most recently, she is staying at The Manor rehab (let me know below if you'd like to visit!) and could really benefit from us all pulling together for her.

I haven't talked to everyone about how to go about managing the funds yet, but I wanted to START it at least. I think her long time great friend Debbie will be able to supply me with the info to transfer funds directly to her, so that there are absolutely no worries about scams or misappropriated funds, and FOR SURE there are other ways to help out (even just sending a friendly card with some fun memories or photos!) I am putting a link to the Manor below (if she changes her location, I will update).

THANK -YOU and let's THANK BARBARA for being such a dynamite friend!

Over the years, Barbara