Photo Credit: Huntington Society of Canada Peace Country Chapter

By Shane Clausing

Ride 4A Cure

HD Ride 4A Cure ready to go for 11th year

Aug 28, 2020 | 5:00 AM

The 11^th annual HD Ride 4A Cure event goes Saturday, August 29, at the Teepee Creek Stampede Grounds.

The purpose of the ride is to raise money to help find a cure for Huntington Disease which is an inherited disorder that causes cells in specific parts of the brain to die.

According to the Huntington Society of Canada, the HD gene is dominant, which means that each child born to a parent with HD has a 50 per cent chance of sharing the same fate.

The society adds that this is the most devastating disease known to man as it disrupts the brain and a person’s ability to think, speak, walk, run and make decisions to controls the body.

Mack Erno is the President for the Peace Country Chapter, Huntington Society of Canada.

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He says the ride is open for anyone who wants to participate and raise money for a good cause.

“We have a 20-kilometer and 10-kilometer trail and we have people that run it, hike it and some people walk it. We also have some people who do it on horseback, so it’s a great weekend that’s centred around the trail ride. This year we have changes because of the restrictions going on, but we are still going ahead with the actual trail ride.”

In years past, the event normally lasts for three days and features a Chili Cookoff, Barrel Racing, and Team Roping events. An auction and a breakfast would also take place during the weekend activities.

However, because of COVID-19, those events weren’t allowed to happen this year.

While the weekend isn’t the same as years past, Erno says this event is extremely popular in the Peace Country.

“Usually we have between 120-140 people that go through the trail. We are really not sure what to expect this year, if it’s going to similar be more or less. It’s hard to say, if people are looking for something to do it could be more.”

Those who do choose to participate in the ride are encouraged to fundraise pledges that they could put towards Huntington Disease research.

There are prizes for the top three donors in the race. This year there are three different saddles up for grabs.

Erno tells EverythingGP that those participating and the surrounding community always answers the call when it comes to fundraising.

“Last year we raised about $70,000 on the event. It was fantastic and it’s the largest fundraiser in Canada, which is something we are pretty proud of. We hope to be back there again.”

Anyone interested in participating don’t need to register in advance, as people can show up and register on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.

Those participating on the run will leave between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Those on horses will make their way onto the track from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Online pledges can be made at their website.