Giddy Up for Wishes- One Woman Riding to Make a Difference in Children's Lives
Many people dream of making a difference in the world through their own lives or actions and a Calgary-area woman is doing just that through a rare fundraising ride in aid of her favourite charity. Martha Birkett, 47, of Cochrane, Alberta has embarked on a 3,500 kilometre journey on horseback from Ottawa to Calgary in aid of the Children's Wish Foundation [...] Her journey, dubbed Giddy Up for Wishes, began on March 30 in Ottawa and will cover four Canadian provinces, wrapping up at the Calgary Stampede in July [...] Her goal for the ride is to raise $333,000 in donations for the Wish Foundation. [Terry Fleurie, The Eganville Leader- April 9,2008] Martha Birkett
Martha Birkett was born and raised on farms in Niagara-On-The-Lake and Wainfleet, Ontario. She is one of nine children born to John and Mary Vandelaar. Her parents fostered many children over the years as well. It was always a full house. In 1986 her young family moved to Lodgepole, Alberta where she worked for the Alberta Forest Service. In 1993, Martha and her three daughters moved to Cochrane, Alberta where she worked as a Secretary and Dispatcher for the Town of Cochrane's Fire and Ambulance Department. Two years later she became a 9-1-1 Emergency Operator and Fire Dispatcher for the City of Calgary. Martha's love for children and horses led her to Bates Bar J Ranch - a children's horse riding camp near Water Valley, Alberta. Here, she worked as the Head Counsellor and Riding Leader for several years – becoming the mother figure to many young campers. Martha has a strong interest in alternative health and works as a Distributor for Sunrider International Whole Foods. As well, she is a Body Talk Practitioner - using her skills on animals as well as people. Martha also works with her husband Ken, as an Administrative Officer for his Forestry Consulting Company - TREES Consulting Inc. Martha has always had a passion for horses. She spends a great deal of time riding in the foothills and Rocky Mountains, west of Cochrane. After several years of riding in the Calgary Stampede Parade, she helped form a women's parade group called 'Women of the Wild West'. In the summer of 2007, Martha started competing in the sport of Competitive Trail Riding - falling in love with the sport. The newest loves in Martha's life are her two beautiful grandsons, Avery and Ryder. She can't wait to get them in the saddle! Martha chose the Children’s Wish Foundation as her charity focus for several reasons. One of her sisters was severely health challenged and handicapped - she is thankful everyday for her own healthy children and grandchildren. She knows several children and their families who have benefited from the Foundation’s generosity and recognizes how their lives were enhanced.
Meet Martha's Horses!
Coco Coco is the senior member of our little herd - a 19 year old quarter horse X morgan chestnut mare, standing at 14.2 hands high. She has been in the family since she was 2 - carrying all three of Martha's daughters through years of 4H. Coco is a solid, steady mare and can be trusted to teach any young child to ride. During the last few years, Martha has ridden Coco on many mountain trails, local parades and the world renowned Calgary Stampede Parade.
Daisy Daisy is a sorrel mare and Coco’s daughter. She is 8 years old and has been with Martha since she was born. Daisy stands 15 hands high, is a quarter horse with some morgan from her mother, Coco. She was supposed to start her training at 4 years old, but a stallion (who was supposed to be a gelding) that was pastured with her, bred her. As Martha’s horses were pastured for that winter, and had roly poly hay bellies, no one noticed until the foal was born. Lona has often relayed the story of being in Saskatchewan when Martha called with the news. Martha was so excited by the surprise foal, she almost came through the phone! The foal is called Prise (for ‘surprise’) Daisy’s training had to be put off for an extra year, but since then, she has participated in cattle drives, local parades, many Rocky Mountain trail rides and starting last summer, some Competitive Trail Rides.
Champagne Champagne is a beautiful, 4 year old palomino mare. She stands 14.2 hands high and was donated to Giddy Up For Wishes by Ed and Rhonda Turco. She comes from quality quarter horse breeding. Champagne will be auctioned off along the way - the final bid will be accepted at the end of the ride. All proceeds will go to the Children's Wish Foundation.
Rapper
Rapper is a brown and white overo paint gelding. He is 14 years old and stands 15 hands high. He was donated for the ride from the large herd of paints at Bates Bar J Ranch. Rapper is one of the favorites for the camp leaders. Sarah, Martha’s oldest daughter has been heavily involved in conditioning the horses for the ride. She has fallen madly in love with Rapper and says she’d going to miss when he leaves. Rapper has an incredibly smooth, ground covering trot.
Sox
Sox was loaned to Giddy Up for Wishes by Kris and Karen Reinhardt. She is about 11 years old and a grade horse - probably an arab x quarter horse cross. The Reinhardt family adopted her about 3 years ago and had Cochrane local Dan Jacobs do some ground work with her before handing her over to Toby MacLeod (if you get a Toby MacLeod horse, consider yourself lucky!) Sox was pretty wild when they got her - she was a pastured broodmare for 8 years. Since then, Sox has been in the Cochrane parade, many cattle drives and Rocky Mountain trail rides. Sox has 4 long white stockings, hence her name – Sox.
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