Ribbons for Ribbons: Martin raises funds for research (June 20, 2008)
By Emma Bouthillette
Staff Writer
Meaghan Martin headed to Gliding Gaits Farm in Hollis last Friday after finals, while some of her Bonny Eagle High School classmates enjoyed sunny weather at the beach. Gliding Gaits, about a mile from her home, is where Martin works and tends to her two horses, Camry and Charlie.
At age 16, Martin keeps busy. She tries to find time to ride Charlie every day and leases Camry to a young girl for riding lessons. Every evening, she works at farm, cleaning stalls, changing waters and grooming horses to help pay for her own horses.
Martin also has musical talent, singing in the school choir and independently. She was the sole BEHS representative selected for District One Music Festival, which took place at Noble High School. She writes her own music and is learning to play guitar. Martin is also a member of the youth group at First Freewill Baptist Church in West Buxton.
Between school, working to support her horses, maintaining her horses, singing gigs and participating in her church, Martin has also found the time to start a fundraising initiative.
The idea for Ribbons for Ribbons began during Martin’s April vacation. Two years ago, her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and Martin has since been thinking of ways to turn her passion for riding her Standardbred horse Charlie in dressage shows into raising money for research. Martin was inspired by another Standardbred rider who raised money by soliciting pledges per second on her time during barrel racing. She decided to adapt the idea to points given in a dressage show.
She has since set up a Web site and bank account for Ribbons for Ribbons. Martin said she never second-guessed her decision to send the Ribbons to Ribbons money to Maine Medical Center’s Research Institute, after touring the research facility.
“I chose Maine Medical because it keeps the money in the state and people know exactly where their money is going,” Martin said.
Martin designed Ribbons for Ribbons to raise money through flat donations or pledges. Her goal throughout summer and fall is to raise $2,000 to donate to the Maine Medical Center Research Institute.
“It is kind of like a bowl-a-thon. I get so many points riding dressage and people pledge a certain amount of money per point. Last year my average was 64.5,” Martin said.
Her grayish-white horse will wear a pink harness for breast cancer awareness as Martin rides him in dressage shows this summer for Ribbons to Ribbons. She has taught Charlie many different techniques in order to compete in shows. Shows require riders to instruct their horses to walk and trot, free walk on a long reign, make 20 meter circles, come down center lines and diagonals, halt in a timely fashion, transition from walk to trot and change directions.
Riders are asked to perform different techniques and each technique is scored from one to 10.
“Scoring 10 is utterly impossible. If you get a seven or an eight, it is a good thing. Charlie and I score sixes, sevens and eights,” Martin said.
The score of each technique is totaled for the final score. People pledge for Ribbons to Ribbons then pay the amount they pledge per point.
This year, Martin said her scores at a May 11 show were 70 for both classes and at the most recent show Sunday, Martin scored 65 in one class and 67.5 in a second class. No pledges were made, but Martin received flat donations totaling $300.
Dressed in riding pants and a pink polo shirt, Martin was ready to ride Charlie Friday afternoon. However, when Martin took Charlie out of his stall and began cleaning his hoofs, she realized he had kicked off one of his shoes overnight. Martin was frustrated, considering the horse wears special rubber boots to prevent that from happening and the cost for an emergency repair is $90.
An emergency visit was needed because Martin was scheduled to ride Charlie at the Southern Maine Dressage Association Dressage Schooling Show Sunday.
Charlie, a 7-year-old Standardbred, was given to Martin three years ago after he finished racing at age 4. Standardbreds are used to pull sulky carts on racetracks and not as riding horses. The maximum age Standardbreds can race until is 14. While Camry was 14 when she stopped racing, Martin thinks Charlie stopped at 4 because he did not like it.
“I think he is too smart. He really enjoys other work,” Martin said.
Charlie had never been saddled to ride when Martin received him. Martin said she had to teach him everything from manners to riding techniques.
“It was a neat experience. Working with a young horse was frustrating sometimes, but rewarding because once he got it, he’s got it. It was neat to see a horse go from no experience to something winning ribbons,” Martin said.
All shows Martin has scheduled for Ribbons for Ribbons take place at the Hollis Equestrian Park. Upcoming shows are scheduled for July 27, Sept. 7 and Oct. 9. Martin she said she would like to compete in more shows, but it depends on her own budget. Fees for dressage shows are $20 a class. Martin usually enters two classes. She also has to pay $40 to transport Charlie to the show because she doesn’t have her own trailer.
The more Martin spreads the word about Ribbons for Ribbons, the more response she receives.
Saturday night, when Farrier George Spear, a specialist in equine hoof care, arrived at Gliding Gaits to replace Charlie’s shoe Martin told him about her fundraiser. Spear donated his services.
Recently, Martin sung the “National Anthem” at Scarborough Downs, and then told them about Ribbons to Ribbons. She was invited to bring Charlie to the Mildred Williams Lady Driver Series July 27. The series is a day of races with only women drivers. Each year, proceeds from drivers and 50/50 raffles are donated to a charitable cause. This year, the series will donate to Ribbons for Ribbons. Martin and Charlie will be present at the event so people can meet the girl and the horse behind the fundraising effort.
Martin’s grandmother, Ruth Martin of Chatham, Mass., was told she was cancer free in February and traveled to Hollis for Sunday’s show.
“She’s really excited and proud of me for starting Ribbons for Ribbons,” Martin said.
Martin’s parents, John and Jeanne, are also very supportive of her efforts. Martin said her mom has become her secretary and manager for Ribbons for Ribbons.
Martin said her classmates are interested in the program and she is already thinking of ways to get more people involved.
“I’m hoping next year other people can be involved doing their own thing to raise money and then donate to Ribbons for Ribbons,” Martin said.
For more information on Ribbons for Ribbons or to make a donation, visit the Web site www.ribbonsforribbons.tripod.com. To contact Meaghan Martin email ribbonsforribbons@yahoo.com.
Staff Writer
Meaghan Martin headed to Gliding Gaits Farm in Hollis last Friday after finals, while some of her Bonny Eagle High School classmates enjoyed sunny weather at the beach. Gliding Gaits, about a mile from her home, is where Martin works and tends to her two horses, Camry and Charlie.
At age 16, Martin keeps busy. She tries to find time to ride Charlie every day and leases Camry to a young girl for riding lessons. Every evening, she works at farm, cleaning stalls, changing waters and grooming horses to help pay for her own horses.
Martin also has musical talent, singing in the school choir and independently. She was the sole BEHS representative selected for District One Music Festival, which took place at Noble High School. She writes her own music and is learning to play guitar. Martin is also a member of the youth group at First Freewill Baptist Church in West Buxton.
Between school, working to support her horses, maintaining her horses, singing gigs and participating in her church, Martin has also found the time to start a fundraising initiative.
The idea for Ribbons for Ribbons began during Martin’s April vacation. Two years ago, her grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and Martin has since been thinking of ways to turn her passion for riding her Standardbred horse Charlie in dressage shows into raising money for research. Martin was inspired by another Standardbred rider who raised money by soliciting pledges per second on her time during barrel racing. She decided to adapt the idea to points given in a dressage show.
She has since set up a Web site and bank account for Ribbons for Ribbons. Martin said she never second-guessed her decision to send the Ribbons to Ribbons money to Maine Medical Center’s Research Institute, after touring the research facility.
“I chose Maine Medical because it keeps the money in the state and people know exactly where their money is going,” Martin said.
Martin designed Ribbons for Ribbons to raise money through flat donations or pledges. Her goal throughout summer and fall is to raise $2,000 to donate to the Maine Medical Center Research Institute.
“It is kind of like a bowl-a-thon. I get so many points riding dressage and people pledge a certain amount of money per point. Last year my average was 64.5,” Martin said.
Her grayish-white horse will wear a pink harness for breast cancer awareness as Martin rides him in dressage shows this summer for Ribbons to Ribbons. She has taught Charlie many different techniques in order to compete in shows. Shows require riders to instruct their horses to walk and trot, free walk on a long reign, make 20 meter circles, come down center lines and diagonals, halt in a timely fashion, transition from walk to trot and change directions.
Riders are asked to perform different techniques and each technique is scored from one to 10.
“Scoring 10 is utterly impossible. If you get a seven or an eight, it is a good thing. Charlie and I score sixes, sevens and eights,” Martin said.
The score of each technique is totaled for the final score. People pledge for Ribbons to Ribbons then pay the amount they pledge per point.
This year, Martin said her scores at a May 11 show were 70 for both classes and at the most recent show Sunday, Martin scored 65 in one class and 67.5 in a second class. No pledges were made, but Martin received flat donations totaling $300.
Dressed in riding pants and a pink polo shirt, Martin was ready to ride Charlie Friday afternoon. However, when Martin took Charlie out of his stall and began cleaning his hoofs, she realized he had kicked off one of his shoes overnight. Martin was frustrated, considering the horse wears special rubber boots to prevent that from happening and the cost for an emergency repair is $90.
An emergency visit was needed because Martin was scheduled to ride Charlie at the Southern Maine Dressage Association Dressage Schooling Show Sunday.
Charlie, a 7-year-old Standardbred, was given to Martin three years ago after he finished racing at age 4. Standardbreds are used to pull sulky carts on racetracks and not as riding horses. The maximum age Standardbreds can race until is 14. While Camry was 14 when she stopped racing, Martin thinks Charlie stopped at 4 because he did not like it.
“I think he is too smart. He really enjoys other work,” Martin said.
Charlie had never been saddled to ride when Martin received him. Martin said she had to teach him everything from manners to riding techniques.
“It was a neat experience. Working with a young horse was frustrating sometimes, but rewarding because once he got it, he’s got it. It was neat to see a horse go from no experience to something winning ribbons,” Martin said.
All shows Martin has scheduled for Ribbons for Ribbons take place at the Hollis Equestrian Park. Upcoming shows are scheduled for July 27, Sept. 7 and Oct. 9. Martin she said she would like to compete in more shows, but it depends on her own budget. Fees for dressage shows are $20 a class. Martin usually enters two classes. She also has to pay $40 to transport Charlie to the show because she doesn’t have her own trailer.
The more Martin spreads the word about Ribbons for Ribbons, the more response she receives.
Saturday night, when Farrier George Spear, a specialist in equine hoof care, arrived at Gliding Gaits to replace Charlie’s shoe Martin told him about her fundraiser. Spear donated his services.
Recently, Martin sung the “National Anthem” at Scarborough Downs, and then told them about Ribbons to Ribbons. She was invited to bring Charlie to the Mildred Williams Lady Driver Series July 27. The series is a day of races with only women drivers. Each year, proceeds from drivers and 50/50 raffles are donated to a charitable cause. This year, the series will donate to Ribbons for Ribbons. Martin and Charlie will be present at the event so people can meet the girl and the horse behind the fundraising effort.
Martin’s grandmother, Ruth Martin of Chatham, Mass., was told she was cancer free in February and traveled to Hollis for Sunday’s show.
“She’s really excited and proud of me for starting Ribbons for Ribbons,” Martin said.
Martin’s parents, John and Jeanne, are also very supportive of her efforts. Martin said her mom has become her secretary and manager for Ribbons for Ribbons.
Martin said her classmates are interested in the program and she is already thinking of ways to get more people involved.
“I’m hoping next year other people can be involved doing their own thing to raise money and then donate to Ribbons for Ribbons,” Martin said.
For more information on Ribbons for Ribbons or to make a donation, visit the Web site www.ribbonsforribbons.tripod.com. To contact Meaghan Martin email ribbonsforribbons@yahoo.com.
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