What's the difference between tough coaching and crossing the line into abuse?

How can a family tell if their child athlete is being groomed for sexual abuse by a trusted adult in sports?

These are some of the questions that will be examined at tbird during a special event with the Denver-based charity We Ride Together.

The charity started after Carrie Kehring's daughter was sexually abused by an Olympic-level coach. In addition to the abuse, there was the trauma experienced by her and the entire family navigating the legal system. We Ride Together was created to prevent abuse 鈥� sexual, emotional, verbal, and physical 鈥� in sports.

We Ride Together schooled those taking part in tbird for the $100,000 CSI3* ATCO Cup 1.50m, with a special classroom session on Aug. 11 that served as a fundraiser for the charity. 

鈥淪afe, healthy athletic environments are essential for maintaining the integrity of our sport. Thunderbird is proud to support We Ride Together鈥檚 mission, and we look forward to continuing this event for years to come,鈥� said Autumn Vos, with Thunderbird Show Park (tbird).

The playbook for modern sports has changed, namely to protect athletes, who are often children, explained We Ride Together's executive director Michaela Callie.

"We need to have safe, transparent, accountable environment for our athletes, as well as for our coaches," said Callie.  

"And it's really important that individuals within athletic spaces understand that these initiatives not only serve to protect in individuals, and the integrity of sport, but it's also very empowering, because it helps keep everybody on the same page in terms of what best practices are in sports."

Callie was a competitive equestrian rider before deciding to join We Ride Together, which was founded in 2021.

"I worked and competed at Thunderbird," she noted.

She said tbird has been a great partner to work with, wholeheartedly supporting We Ride Together and the class, which was expected to attract not only riders but also coaches, volunteers, people within sport organizations, and even vendors.

A fundraiser for the sports charity has been interwoven with the Fort Summer Classic Series, which includes the ATCO Cup.

Last Sunday's competition in the grand prix arena features 1.0m, 1.10m and 1.15m jump heights and was open to juniors, amateurs and professionals. Tbird donated all entry fees from Aug. 11 to benefit We Ride Together, Callie noted. Competitors were also invited to donate their class winnings to the organization, with brands such as Equestrian Stockholm, Vet Gold, Indie Mode, and Durwell Equine Naturals providing prizes to the top three riders.

We Ride Together also hosted a community-building event on Saturday, Aug. 10 at tbird, with participants invited to enjoy friendship bracelet and bridle charm making.

Throughout the days of competition, people will be able to learn more about the organization and access We Ride Together resources, such as the coach athlete pledge.

While the organization started in the equestrian sector, We Ride Together has expanded to other sports.

Callie said it has teamed up with USRowing's largest national events, the Youth Nations which attracts about 4,000 athletes and 5,000 spectators, as well as Rowfest, which pulls in about 2,600 athletes and more than 700 spectators.

It is USRowing's official safeguarding partner. USRowing has 77,000 individuals and 1,430 organizations under its auspices.