Reiners raise money for breast cancer research during Slide for the Cure shows. | Photo: Alayne Blickle

In 2008, Silvashy, who resides in Rohnert Park, California, created Slide for the Cure, a fundraiser program among reiners that helps support breast cancer research and awareness. “I got the idea to do this as a tribute to my Aunt Barbara. She was my mom-away-from-home while I was at college,” Silvashy said. “Years later she passed away from inflammatory breast cancer. She was just an amazing person, and I wanted to do something in her honor because she fought such a brave fight.”

Silvashy, a reining competitor and a member of the West Coast Reining Horse Association, in northern California, decided to create a fundraiser within her reining community. “The club I belong to is a very unique one,” she said. “The closeness and camaraderie is amazing, and everyone supports everyone.” That gave Silvashy the idea to work within this close group of like-minded individuals and set up a breast cancer awareness program.

“We have six shows per year–four are Slide for the Cure shows,” explained Silvashy. Slide for the Cure classes run concurrent with already established classes. When a rider enters the Slide for the Cure class, 100% of their class money goes to the benefit