Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: Audrie Stanka and Zach Brandt
Every week Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to recognize those doing good in the horse world. This week we recognize Audrie Stanka and Zach Brandt, who will host monthly fundraising clinics for Frangible Fences.
Photo courtesy of Audrie Stanka.
Republished from our sister site, Eventing Nation.
The day took a devastating turn on Saturday, March 7 at Rocking Horse Stables in Altoona, FL. After a tragic accident took the lives of both Katharine Morel and her mare, Kerry On, the eventing community was spurred to action. A fundraiser supporting the installation of frangible technology on every cross country course has gained momentum thanks to the power of social media.
Audrie Stanka and Zach Brandt were competing at Rocking Horse the weekend of the accident. After Audrie watched one of her best friends gallop out of the start box after the accident, she knew she needed to do something, anything, to help.
“I’m guilty of this too, but every time something terrible happens, it seems that it gets talked about for a few days, and then nothing,” Audrie said. “I wanted to do more than that, so I started thinking of a way we could help raise money for frangible fences.”
The resulting project is a monthly fundraising clinic, slated to be held at Sweet Dixie South in Ocala, will kick off on Saturday, March 21 and is currently accepting participants. Both Audrie as well as Zach are offering dressage, show jumping, and cross country lessons at all levels for a donation of $40 for a lesson with Audrie and $60 for a lesson with Zach. All participants need to do is show proof of donation to the Frangible Fence Fund, as 100% of the proceeds from these clinics will be donated directly to this initiative.
“I’m not a super top rider, and I don’t have a ton of money I can donate, but what I do have a lot of is time,” Audrie explained. “And this felt like a way to keep this topic fresh in our minds. With this clinic, you can learn to ride safer and more effectively while also supporting safety in the sport. This needs to stay a part of our conversation.”
Audrie and Zach have high hopes for the clinic, which may expand to having different clinicians if there is enough interest and demand. There are still spots open for the first clinic on March 21. To sign up or obtain more information, you can contact Audrie Stanka directly on Facebook or through the Zachary Brandt Eventing page.
Do you have a creative fundraiser for the Frangible Fence Fund? Share it with us by emailing [email protected].
Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.
