Saddle up

Tori Colosimo and her horse, Bow are a racing team.

The two worked together for many years; Bow was originally her mom’s horse. The 15-year-old-barrel-racer said she and Bow weren’t always on the best of terms but have since become intertwined.

Tori and Bow raced together in Marathon, Ont. and even competed in Calgary. With more races under their belts, the pair continued to improve on their time by seconds.

The racing team took some time off to participate at the Spur for the Cure cancer fundraiser at the Rocking M Ranch Saturday. About 80 riders attended the fundraising event. Tori had attended the event last year the same time her grandfather developed cancer.

He passed away last summer, she said.

While not as interested in riding horses as much she was, Tori said her grandfather would watch her and Bow compete in races whenever he could. She said he enjoyed volunteering and probably would have enjoyed a fundraising event such as Spur the Cure.

"He helped out a lot," she said. "If he had known about this he would have supported it 100 per cent if he was still alive."

Rob Dowswell, owner of Mountain View Stables, said he’s horse crazy and looked forward to riding the trails near Pebblestone Road. He said his horse was a bit concerned about walking down on the gravel road at last year’s event.

Dowswell participated every year at the fundraiser but he said this year he rode for his wife, who developed breast cancer in November 2009.

"I’m riding for the cure for cancer," Dowswell said. "It’s a good way to get together with all your horse buddies and support cancer treatment. My wife has cancer now so it’s even better reason to be here."

Dowswell said the horse community is a close and growing community, added he meets new people every year he attends the event, and hoped for even more horses and riders.
Laura Cheetham, event chair for Spur the Cure, said this year focused on early detection because that saved her life.

Each year focused on an area of cancer: first year general awareness, second year breast cancer and this year early detection, she said.

"A lot of people are afraid to go and get checked," Cheetham said. "I had to deal with it myself this year. My mom had breast cancer and she is a survivor because of early detection. I hit 40-years-old this year and I was sent in to see the doctor right away. There was a spot so we’re still dealing with that."

Cheetham said she hoped to raise $15,000 through pledges made by the participants for the Northern Cancer Fund, Thunder Bay Chapter.