Donations pour in to help injured Manitoba jockey

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This article was published 01/09/2015 (3733 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

FUNDRAISING efforts for paralyzed jockey Alyssa Selman remain on track, with a total just shy of $115,000 to date.

A recent eBay auction of a who’s-who list of items and memorabilia from the horse-racing industry — including the halter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah — netted $15,000.

That total will be added to almost $100,000 received in donations to TD Bank and Access Credit Unions, the sale of specialty bracelets and a social.

In addition, a GoFundMe page — which is separate from the local horse-racing community’s efforts — is currently at a little more than $14,000 toward a goal of $20,000.

“When this started, we had no idea of the support we would get from all over the world,” said Lori Mann, a local horse owner who has been co-ordinating fundraising for Selman. “It hit everybody. I think it just struck a chord in various ways. She’s a mother with two kids, and she’s a sweetheart. She’s a little angel.”

Selman, 29, damaged her spinal cord during a race at Assiniboia Downs June 27 after being thrown to the ground on the straightaway when the hooves of the horse she was riding clipped those of a horse in front of her. She has no feeling from the chest down. Although paralyzed, she has recovered to the point where she attended her brother’s wedding this summer and attends races at the Downs.

Mann said the devastating injury, which was on a clip that went viral, tore through the horse-racing industry like a shock wave.

Downs officials called Selman’s fall the worst accident at the track in at least 35 years.

American Pharoah’s Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert didn’t hesitate to provide the halter from the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, along with a personal video with his support for Selman. “I hope this halter from the famous wonderful horse, who is spoiled rotten, can help you and your family,” Baffert said.

Other auction items included a framed Secretariat Kentucky Derby program signed by jockey Ron Turcotte and Steven’s jockey boots.

The short-term goal, said Mann, is to raise enough money (along with Selman’s insurance) to purchase a wheelchair-accessible home in Carman. The list cost is $245,000. Selman’s current home is not wheelchair accessible.

“We’re almost there,” she said. “But we’re not done. I’m not stopping. It’s still going to be a long road. She’s going to need care for life.”