**UPDATE: If you missed the show, check out this gallery to see event photos.**
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The Ashley Doolittle Memorial Open Horse Show And Charity Fundraiser is an all ages horse show in memory of Ashley Doolittle, a victim of domestic violence. Show proceeds will benefit the Ashley Doolittle Little Princesses Foundation and the Denise Fransua Domestic Violence Foundation.
The horse show is planned for July 16, 2016, at the Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont, Colorado. This will be an all ages open horse show with multiple classes and events. Registration starts at $25 for horse/rider. Prizes will be awarded in each class.
Rider registration forms may be found on the Bent Arrow Horsemanship Facebook page.
A silent auction is also planned to give riders and audience members a chance to take home something they want, and raise additional funds for the charities.
Ashley Doolittle lived in Loveland CO. On June 9, 2016, at age 18, Ashley was murdered by her ex-boyfriend when she broke up with him.
Ashley loved horses, and had learned to ride when she was five years old. She had been a member of Boulder County 4-H for eight years, and was an accomplished rider and competitor. This event serves to carry on her memory through what she loved. All the proceeds from this event are going to charities in memory of Ashley Doolittle.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Ashley Doolittle Princess Program. This program helps to foster the love of rodeo in young girls who show an interest in the “royalty” community.
Additional proceeds will be donated to the Denise Fransua Domestic Violence Foundation. The foundation was created by Denise’s son, Aaron Fransua, following his mother’s murder in 2011 by her ex-boyfriend. Denise had found the strength to leave; however, this man lured her to his home to pick up her dog and then killed her when she arrived. The Foundation was established to not only raise needed funds for local Domestic Violence Shelters and victims in Colorado, but also to research and create programs to educate the public about Domestic Violence. Their goal is to, through education, help victims get out of abusive relationships.
Plan to participate, or come and watch the action July 16, and unite to pay tribute to an amazing young lady and take a stand against Domestic Violence.
The event is organized by Bent Arrow Horsemanship (Bennett CO) and the Boulder County Fair and Rodeo Royalty (Longmont CO).
More information on the Denise Fransua Domestic Violence Foundation is on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DVFoundation.
In these weeks leading up to the Ashley Doolittle Memorial Open Horse Show And Charity Fundraiser, the organizers are requesting silent auction donations, sponsorships, and event-day volunteers. Contact Brian at 970.388.4379 to get involved. Updates including volunteer opportunities may be found on this event page.
This memorial event is a great time to show the rest of the world that the Colorado horse community is strong and that they stand together against Domestic violence.
