About AHDF

The Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund was established in January of 2005 as the Arabian horsemen’s community rose to help one of their own, Northwestern Arabian horse trainer Ron Copple.  Ron was diagnosed in the fall of 2004 with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma, and while his insurance coverage was excellent, the rigors of aggressive treatment along with the short-fall of their insurance to cover all the extenuating expenses left a void.  Horsemen from around the country combined  efforts, and as the fund began helping the Copples and several other community members during 2005, application was made and granted by the IRS for 501c3 status, making all donations completely tax deductible.

Today, Ron has achieved a full recovery and has subsequently become the father of a wonderful daughter, as well as one of the Fund’s most notable spokesmen, and The AHDF has gone on to help a myriad of Arabian community members during times of unexpected crisis.  From unimaginable barn fires, to catastrophic accidents, to health crisis that impaired  ability to meet expenses and care for family members and animals, the fund has become a vehicle that is up and ready to respond immediately when  unexpected calamity strikes.

Governed by a board of five industry-involved horse people, the fund’s guildelines are configured so as to award the board the maximum ability to respond to a variety of circumstances.  Application for assistance is eligible to any current member of the Arabian Horse Association in good standing, and all applications are kept confidential unless an individual releases the board to outreach to the community on their behalf.  As of November, 2010, the fund has disbursed over $350,000 to individuals throughout the Arabian horse community, and virtually all of the money donated is earmarked to directly help our community horsemen during times of crisis.

To apply to the AHDF for assistance, or to let us know of someone in need of assistance, e-mail mary@horsemensdistressfund.com, or call 860-354-8926 (office) or 860-488-7074 (cell), or contact any AHDF board member at the numbers listed on the Board of Directors page.  To make a donation to the fund, simply go to the How You Can Help page, where you will find a Paypal button to make a secure on-line donation, as well as mailing information should you wish to send a check.  To hold a fundraiser in your area or at your event, feel free to contact us at any of the above addresses.

Board of Directors Contact Information:

For immediate assistance, please call:
Mary Trowbridge
236 Henry Sanford Road
Bridgewater, CT  06752
Work Phone: 860-488-7074
e-mail: mary@trowbridgesltd.com

Mary Jane Brown
PO Box 1061
Newberg, OR  97132
Barn: 503-538-7956
Cell:503-539-3763
email: beetrainin@aol.com

Att. Van Jacobsen
10344 County Rd 3 NW
Pine Island, MN  55963
Home phone:  507-356-6424
Work phone:  507-282-1503
Fax phone:  507-282-7736
e-mail: vpjacobsen@aol.com

Stan Morey
PO Box 1213
Edmond, OK  73083
Home phone: 405-359-2749
Work phone: 405-478-2966
e-mail: dwbonfire@aol.com

Rev. G. T. Schramm
PO Box 308
Shepherdstown, WV  25443
Home phone: 304-876-2750
Work phone: 304-876-6990
e-mail: trinityshep@citlink.net