Katie Burchell of Orangeville, ON, has two passions in life – horses, and helping others. For the past 13 years, she has had the opportunity to combine her love of both by volunteering at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, taking place from September 19 to 23 at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, ON.
Sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the CSI2* Canadian Show Jumping Tournament sees some of the best riders in the country compete head-to-head during the five-day event, which features the $100,000 Caledon Cup, comprised of three phases of competition held over three days.
The Canadian Show Jumping Tournament also gives riders, spectators and sponsors an opportunity to support the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada through a variety of activities and fundraisers. It is that component that has kept Burchell involved for so many years.
“I’ve been involved with the Tournament right from the beginning,” said Burchell, 62, who immigrated to Canada from Yorkshire, England, in 1987. “They approached me years ago about doing the souvenir magazine and my involvement just kind of grew from there.”
As the President of FrontLine Media, Burchell publishes the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament souvenir program each year, in addition to Caledon Living, Orangeville Living and The Hills of Headwaters Visitors Guide. She also spends countless hours attending meetings and hammering out the details as one of the competition’s committee members.
“We have a great team of volunteers,” she noted. “They are all people like me who just want to help the kids. I don’t have any children of my own, and I’ve always wanted to give something back. The Children’s Wish Foundation is a way for me to do that, and it is an excellent organization to support.”
She continued, “I’ve always tried to do my best for anybody I volunteer for, but with the show it’s so much more than that. Giving money to support children with life threatening diseases is very important to me.”
The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada will once again be the beneficiary of this year’s Canadian Show Jumping Tournament. Over the past three years, the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament has granted a child’s wish for a pony to three lucky recipients and raised thousands of dollars for the not-for-profit foundation.
“I think seeing these children coming to the Tournament and receiving their wish for a pony, and knowing you’re actually doing something to make them smile, is an unbelievably wonderful feeling,” said Burchell. “No healthy human can understand what it is to go through what these children do, and what receiving their wish really means to them.”
While supporting the Children’s Wish Foundation has always been one of the primary reasons Burchell continues to volunteer at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, it isn’t the only reason.
“I used to ride as a teenager,” she remarked. “Horses have always been fascinating to me. I love to watch the jumping, just like everyone else. You sit there and you’re on the edge of your seat, holding your breath to see if they clear the fence. It’s thrilling. Working at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament is a combination of so many passions for me. I just love everything they do there.”
The funds to support the Children’s Wish Foundation are raised through a variety of initiatives, including live and silent auctions and wishing wells to collect cash donations.
“I’m involved with all aspects of the fundraising efforts, but this year my baby is the tombola,” Burchell explained. “We ran it last year for the first time. I had organized a number of them back in England, so it was something I was very familiar with. Basically, it’s like a raffle. You pay $20 for a ticket and are guaranteed to get a gift. This year, there are around 300 items, ranging in value from $10 to $350.”
Rounding up that many gifts is no easy feat, but Burchell has a system in place to ensure success.
“I’ll ask anyone, anytime,” she said. “I have a lot of support from clients through the magazines I publish, as well as friends who always agree to support such a wonderful cause. I usually send out begging letters to everyone I can think of. I will do anything I can to help these kids, even if it means sending out hundreds of letters.”
The tombola, sponsored by Scotiabank, is one of a number of activities taking place in the Family Village, which will be open Saturday and Sunday, September 22 and 23, and features entertaining and educational interactive displays and attractions.
“The show isn’t just for people who are mad about horses,” Burchell said. “It’s very reasonably priced for a family to come and spend the day here, enjoying all we have to offer. From the face painting to Sciensational Sssnakes to the Horseless Horse Show, there’s so much to do here. It’s so great to see all the kids out in the fresh air and running about. It really is a wonderful outing!”
Burchell plans to remain a fixture at the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, volunteering for as many more years as she is able.
For more information on the Canadian Show Jumping Tournament, please visit www.equiman.com
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