Team McEvoy Mitchell Racing returns from Tour d’Horse

JO McEvoy is pleased to be back on the ground after a week riding horseback through rugged terrain to raise money to help children who have experienced trauma, injury and disability.

McEvoy (wife of Melbourne Cup winning trainer Tony McEvoy) and her daughter-in-law Demi McEvoy have both just completed the six-day Tour d’Horse fundraiser for the Kids Foundation, representing Team McEvoy Mitchell Racing, while daughter Eliza also participated as a volunteer.

“The three McEvoys have had a great trip,” she said back in Ballarat.

“It was quite relentless. It is tough riding but it was super.”

They were among 27 teams and about 40 riders who tackled this year’s Tour d’Horse trek that took place in the Upper Hunter Valley, New South Wales this month with the overall goal of raising $1 million for the Kids Foundation.

Over six tough days in the saddle, the riders navigated breathtaking terrain, setting out in a series of challenging forays from their Gundy basecamp with the tour culminating in a special event at the Scone Racecourse, coinciding with the Scone Cup Carnival.

Their team have plenty of cause to be pleased with their efforts which have raised more than $53,000 eclipsing their $50,000 team target.

And between them, all of the participating teams have raised more than $964,000 toward the $1 million goal which is also expected to be well exceeded.

While the Tour d’Horse ride finished last Saturday and the riders returned home on Monday to massage out any saddle sores, the fundraising continues with people still able to pitch in to support the ongoing effort online through the Kids Foundation website.

Established in 1993, KIDS Foundation (Kids In Dangerous Situations) is a leading Australian charity supporting children and young people who have experienced traumatic injuries, burns, abuse, violent crime or genetic conditions that impact appearance and physical capability.

Foundation CEO is Dr Susie O’Neill OAM whose passion to help children began in 1988 while working with the Children’s Protection Society in Ballarat.