The Ta Ta Trot, scheduled for Saturday at The Expo, was inspired by Sandi Humphres, shown, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014. [Mail Tribune/file photo]
Members of Jackson County Horseman’s Association will be back in the saddle Saturday morning at The Expo — decked out in their “hooters-inspired” costumes — to raise money to provide mammograms for low-income and uninsured women.
The Ta Ta Trot, founded in 2014, was inspired by JCHA member Sandi Humphfres, who was diagnosed with breast cancer that year. JCHA members hosted the first Ta Ta Trot in her honor to help with medical and related expenses.
Almost as soon as she was diagnosed, Humphfres’ concern turned to her fellow riders.
“I was very vocal about my breast cancer diagnosis. Doctors told me that one of every 10 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, so I made it my goal that I was going to get 10 friends to get their mammograms done,” Humphfres said.
“And it turned out, the statistics were right because one friend of those 10 ended up having it. We had a couple other members come up with it, as well.”
Held every year since then, the Ta Ta Trot is part of a larger fall show, with the “Ta Ta” part of the show including costume classes and some other fun events.
“It’s basically a regular horse show, and then we have one class that’s dedicated to saving the ta tas,” Humphfres said.
“People decorate their bras and their horses and make elaborate costumes around breast cancer or some type of deal like, ‘Get your hooters checked.’ It’s all about helping people who may not be able to afford to get a mammogram.”
Sabina Martin, president of JCHA, said the Ta Ta Trot Benefit Horse Show is the association’s biggest show of the year, raising tens of thousands to date.
“It’s our biggest show that we do. We have people from four or five hours away that come to participate. We have a costume class for Halloween, but I’m sure the big draw is that they want to support mammograms for women who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford them,” Martin said, noting that proceeds from the Ta Ta Trot are split between the Asante Foundation mammogram fund and Riding Beyond, a nonprofit in Ashland that serves breast cancer patients and survivors.
“JCHA is about giving back to the community and helping the equestrian family. This is really important to us all,” Miller said.
Humphfres said it was heartwarming to see the association’s commitment to serving women so many years after fellow riders rallied in her honor.
“It’s really great. Everybody parades around and shows support. We’ve had men wear bras and help support it. The costumes are all really creative,” she said, noting she still sees her oncologist yearly and is “doing great.”
“I tell everybody I know to be sure to get a mammogram. I was very fortunate in that mine was physically able to be found, but I’ve known other people who it has been against their chest wall, which you cannot find during a self-exam,” Humphfres added.
“Looking back, I’m pretty sure my horse was trying to tell me that I had it. He used to always rub his nose against my chest, and I’d end up with a dirt stain across my chest … He didn’t do it after I went through treatment. But it was like he knew before I did.”
Saturday’s show will be inside the Barker/Krouse Arena at The Expo, 1 Peninger Road, Central Point. Sign-ups start at 8 a.m., and the show starts at 9. Participants can sign up as late as the day of the event. Spectators get in for free, but donations are gladly accepted — both individually and for class sponsorships by local businesses.
Donations for mammograms can be mailed to Jackson County Horseman’s Association, P.O. Box 765, Medford OR 97501, or made online via Paypal, paypal@ridejcha.com
For more information, call 541-621-8773 or see ridejcha.com/home and facebook.com/ridejcha/
Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 541-776-8784 or bpollock@rosebudmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal.