Dayna Bordaleau Is Thankful For The AHJF’s Emergency Relief Fund

December 14, 2009

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Well known horse show braider Dayna Bordaleau, Tampa, FL, was sick for a year and seeing doctors in various hospitals in different cities and states before her Crohn’s Disease was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in May of 2002.
“For over a year I was treated for Lupus and other things because the symptoms were so similar,” said Dayna, who explained that it was the "not knowing what I had that made it difficult for me emotionally, physically and financially.”
It was also unexpected because until then she’d been extremely healthy. “I had never smoked, used drugs, or been a drinker. I had exercised regularly, been a vegetarian, and had eaten really healthy. So, it was hard to understand at the time how I could be stricken with something like Crohn's.”
It was because of a friend that Dayna found out about the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund, which was created for people who find themselves in situations like Dayna’s.
“I was nominated to the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund by one of my clients, James Lala, owner of James Lala Show Stables. I had been braiding for James for many years so he knew me well. He knew I was sick and yet I continued braiding in order to keep my head above water.”
Dayna had never heard of the ERF and so discovering its existence was refreshing. “I was very reluctant at first to accept his kindness and the nomination, mostly due to the fact that it sounded like my situation and problems would become very public in a horse show world where rumors can quickly spread. So, I avoided the help at first as I intended to keep my pride intact and my problems as quiet as possible.”
Yet as time went on Dayna realized her health needed to be her top priority. “As my health worsened and James persistence increased, I agreed to turn to the fund for help. I knew most of the AHJF Board and Relief Fund members, so it did take away some of the stress of my situation. Also, Michele Perla (AHJF Executive Director) handled my nomination and case with the utmost professionalism and kindness which alleviated some of the additional stress of making my illness and the difficulties that go with it more public.”
When Dayna got word she had qualified and would be receiving financial support she was thankful. While that may seem like a small thing, to someone who has suddenly had their world changed in an instant, monetary support can be a huge boost as everyone involved with the Fund has witnessed over and over again.
Louise Serio, one of the founders of the AHJF, was the inspiration behind the Emergency Relief Fund. “The ERF was one of the first things we wanted to do with the Foundation after the World Championship Hunter Rider concept was established. We wanted to broaden our scope. It has been one of the most rewarding things that we have done,” she commented. "I think the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund is one of the most important programs in our industry today. We have been able to make a significant difference in the lives of many people at just the moment when they need it the most. Although there are other programs out there, we seem to be able to give a more substantial amount of help, in an unusually timely manner,” commented former AHJF President Geoff Teall.
THE ERF HELPS TO LIFT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR DAYNA
Dayna used the ERF funds to help pay her medical expenses and for living expenses during a time when it was difficult to work. “The funds were a GIANT relief to me emotionally and mentally. I had health insurance, but at the time it was 80/20 and I had big medical bills piling up during the year it took to officially diagnose me. Plus, I worked as much as possible, but missing many big horse shows added to the financial difficulties,” she explained.
Dayna was one of the first people helped by the ERF because it was still in its infancy at the time but as she looks back and now forward she is thankful that others have also been able to benefit from its existence.
“The AHJF and its board members have worked really hard to create something special so they can give back to the horse show world via the relief fund. There are many horse show people who have reached into their pockets to donate to this great cause, making it possible for the relief refund to help their horse world family in need. I will always be grateful for the help and generosity of the relief fund.”
Now Dayna gives back to the Fund in her own way. “I knew I would probably never be in a position to donate what I received back to the AHJF, but I believed in the relief fund and realized that any amount donated back could help someone else in need in the future. After returning to braiding at the horse shows, I collected $ from other horse show braiders and donated those checks to the AHJF during the World Hunter Rider week at the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Legacy Cup in Lexington, Kentucky.”
Dayna recognizes that there are many ways you can help and while the most recognizable is to donate money, awareness of the Fund’s existence is also critical. She also wanted people to learn about how to survive Crohn’s Disease. “So many people (horse show people and non horse show people) had heard the word Crohn's but didn't know exactly what it was and some people had never heard of it before at all. The Relief Fund also helped create an awareness of the disease in an environment where most people live in their own world.”
Now, seven years later Dayna continues to be thankful that when she was in need the ERF was there to help.
The AHJF Emergency Relief Fund was established in 1995 as the benevolent arm of the American Hunter-Jumper Foundation. It was established to provide emergency financial support to individuals in the show hunter and jumper sport suffering from an incapacitating illness, catastrophic accident or injury. The Board of the AHJF reviews emergency situations and makes a determination in accordance with the need. The money to fund this program comes from private gifts, WCHR member events, dedicated fundraising events and horse shows willing to encourage exhibitors to make a contribution, such as The Capital Challenge Horse Show, which each year adds a $5 donation to each entry during their one-week show. Donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions. Since its inception over $450,000 has been distributed.
The ERF is only part of what the AHJF offers. The organization was formed in 1992 to further the development of the equestrian sport of show hunter rider and show jumping competition by providing a national office to organize, coordinate and support hunter rider and show jumping equestrian competition. Other programs of the AHJF include the World Championship Hunter Rider Awards, AHJF Educational Programs, the AHJF BSA Inc. 401k and Profit Sharing Plan. The AHJF also hosts the Professional WCHR Finals (October 8, 2010) and the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular in Florida on February 20, 2010.
Tax donations can be sent to the AHJF Emergency Relief Fund to help fellow horsemen by calling 508-835-8813, e-mailing AHJF@earthlink.net or mailing: AHJF Relief Fund, PO Box 369, West Boylston, MA 01583.

By Diana De Rosa

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Dayna Bordaleau Is Thankful For The AHJF’s Emergency Relief Fund