Clinic Raises $7,000 to Benefit Amy Barrington

The eventing community has rallied around Amy Barrington and her family since her accident last month. Tamie Smith sent in this wonderful report on a benefit clinic and silent auction that members of Area IX held for Amy. Many thanks to Tamie for writing, and go Amy. 

Tamie Smith teaches at the clinic. Photo courtesy of Hillary Whitt.

From Tamie Smith:

Last weekend, a group of amazing people all came together to help Amy Barrington and her family get through this terrible tragedy. It all started when Niki Clarke, my dressage trainer and one of my very good friends, called me up after days of crying about Amy and asked what we could do. She wanted to make a difference in Amy’s recovery. We brainstormed and started organizing a fundraiser clinic at Galway Downs.

It was that phone call that inspired my thought of also donating the proceeds of a clinic I was heading to Utah to teach at Lynnleigh Farm. Erin Hofmann, Area IX chair, fellow two-star competitor, and queen of organizing an amazing clinic and silent auction really outdid herself. She organized the clinic at Lynnleigh, and everyone involved was outstanding.

Some of my sponsors offered to donate items to the cause, and then a lot of people started donating items and services, and then we had a full-fledged silent auction. What a wonderful world we live in. The weekend ran smoothly. The weather was immaculate. I was able to teach Beginner Novice through Intermediate riders and horses and had a very rewarding time doing it watching them all improve.

I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to be surrounded by such wonderful people. We went home to look at what everyone raised and it was $7,000 in just two days. I’m so excited that we could help contribute to helping a fellow competitor, and we did it by doing what she would have loved doing.

Horses are dangerous; this is a fact. Some people ask me why and how I can compete in my sport when I have children. I say to them that my horses love what they do as much as I do and sometimes more, and if you go through life worried about every bad thing that could happen, that’s not a very fun way to live.

Living is dangerous! I am an example to my children to strive to be the very best, to have passion, determination and to never give up. I’m living my life to give back to the sport that saved me as a kid and to the people who I have been lucky enough to have in my life since I was 8 years old.

This weekend reminded me of how blessed I am to have so many excellent people in my life. Amy Barrington will recover! With all of the people who have pulled together to bring out the power of healing, she has every chance to make a full recovery. I just wanted to thank you ALL for your contribution. Big or small, the wonderful gift of coming together is beautiful.

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