On July 15-16, the 15th Annual Saddle Up for St. Jude trail ride and gathering took place at Gardiner Farms near Tuscumbia AL. This fundraiser (Fun raiser) for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital raised a record $125,000. Jimmy King, a long time organizer of the trail ride said over 500 horses, 5,000 people and 220 trucks and trailers came in for the 2-day event - the largest Saddle Up for St Jude event held this year in the U.S.
These events are held several places each year throughout the country. According to Jimmy, the next largest one so far this year was in upstate New York and raised $35,000. Jimmy said that this year’s event has now put the cumulative amount raised over the last 15 years at the Alabama trail ride over the million dollar mark. “I am told that is enough to run St. Jude for one day, but every little bit helps,” he said. “People camp out by the creek. Fifty to sixty volunteers help put it on and clean up. There is not a scrap of trash anywhere when it is over! They are all here for the right reason.”
The weather cooled off for the trail ride. “I don’t know how it could get any better. It comes from above. Makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck,” Jimmy added.
Gardiner Farms and other land owners have cleared 30 miles of trails in the Alabama hills. The ladies of nearby Davis Farm make homemade fried pies and sell them at the top of Davis Mountain as part of the fundraising. “Folks ride up the mountain, eat pie, and ride back down,” Jimmy explained.
Trail riding was not the only activity. An auction of donated items netted $25,000. Mark Chambliss’ donated works of equine art brought $925 at auction. There was also plenty of musical entertainment from local musicians and a concert by county singers Travis Wammack on Friday night and Daryle Singletary on Saturday.
These events are held several places each year throughout the country. According to Jimmy, the next largest one so far this year was in upstate New York and raised $35,000. Jimmy said that this year’s event has now put the cumulative amount raised over the last 15 years at the Alabama trail ride over the million dollar mark. “I am told that is enough to run St. Jude for one day, but every little bit helps,” he said. “People camp out by the creek. Fifty to sixty volunteers help put it on and clean up. There is not a scrap of trash anywhere when it is over! They are all here for the right reason.”
The weather cooled off for the trail ride. “I don’t know how it could get any better. It comes from above. Makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck,” Jimmy added.
Gardiner Farms and other land owners have cleared 30 miles of trails in the Alabama hills. The ladies of nearby Davis Farm make homemade fried pies and sell them at the top of Davis Mountain as part of the fundraising. “Folks ride up the mountain, eat pie, and ride back down,” Jimmy explained.
Trail riding was not the only activity. An auction of donated items netted $25,000. Mark Chambliss’ donated works of equine art brought $925 at auction. There was also plenty of musical entertainment from local musicians and a concert by county singers Travis Wammack on Friday night and Daryle Singletary on Saturday.
