Jockey Arvizu Honored by Arizona HBPA; Von Rosen Fundraising Updates

Much thanks to Tom Metzen Jr. for sharing a story that I hasn't received much attention in the wake of the Anne Von Rosen accident at Turf Paradise on March 11.

The part of the story we all knew was that Ponchita Bonita went down on top of jockey Anne Von Rosen on the backstretch after a Quarter Horse race at Turf Paradise.  The resulting injuries have paralyzed the popular rider from the waist down and have subjected her to two surgeries thus far.  By all reports her attitude is excellent and her determination to eventually walk again is strong.

Here is what was much less publicized:

Jockey Rodolpho Arvizu, who had ridden My Corona Blue in the 1st race was pulling the horse up behind Von Rosen when he saw her go down.  He leapt from his mount and rushed over to Von Rosen whose foot was still caught in the stirrup.  If Bonita got back to his feet and took off with Von Rosen in the stirrup, she would have been killed.  Arvizu was able to release Von Rosen before the horse regained his footing and then sat on it's head, keeping it from rolling back on the injured jockey.  Arvizu's quick actions prevented the tragedy for escalating and probably saved Von Rosen's life.

In recognition of his efforts, Arvizu was presented last night with the "The Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association Humanitarian Award" at the Horsemen's Spring Fling at Turf Paradise.

According to Metzen this is only the second time that the award has been presented.  I can't think of a more deserving recipient.

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FUNDRAISING UPDATES:

Those wishing to donate directly can send a check made out to Turf Paradise Foundation and mark the memo line Anne von Rosen. All donations are tax deductible.

Turf Paradise
1501 West Bell Road
Phoenix, AZ 85023

Folks at Turf Paradise have also scheduled a "Walk for Annie" fundraiser on Fan Appreciation Day on April 12. Fans will be able to purchase either a bracelet or T-shirt, and then walk with the local jockey colony on the Turf course. All proceeds will benefit von Rosen.

In Minnesota the address for donations is:

Voyager Bank
500 Marschall Rd
Shakopee, MN 55379

With checks made out to the "Benefit of Anne Von Rosen". 

There will also be a fundraising effort at Canterbury Park after live racing resumes this spring - details to come.

Von Rosen Assistance Funds Set Up

Anne Von Rosen (Photo: Savage Pacer)

Anne Von Rosen, a popular regular rider at Canterbury Park, was paralyzed last week in a riding accident at Turf Paradise in Phoenix.  Since the accident, Von Rosen has endured two spinal surgeries and, at this time, is paralyzed from the waist down with a difficult recovery ahead of her.

Jockeys that don't ride don't get paid.  There are no paid vacations or days off and a career ending injury means a lot of uncertainty and anxiety about your future.  The specter of colossal medical bills looming over the top of all that would be downright unbearable.  The Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund helps and is a wonderful project but can only do so much.

A local fund has been set up here in Minnesota (they would accept checks from all over, though - so feel free to send from wherever you are!!).  Contributions may be sent to:

Voyager Bank
500 Marschall Rd
Shakopee, MN 55379

Checks can be written to "For the Benefit of Anne Von Rosen".  Also please keep an eye open for a local fundraiser once Canterbury Park opens later this spring.

Additionally, Jim Wells, Canterbury Park's official blogger reports that an Arizona fund has also been set up via the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America:

RTCA - Anne Von Rosen
Turf Paradise
1501 West Bell Road
Phoenix, Az., 85023

Jim is in Arizona for the winter and has provided great updates on Anne this past week.  He can be followed via the Canterbury Park blog here.

And keep your prayers and good wishes coming.

Canterbury Favorite Von Rosen Severely Injured at Turf Paradise

A Canterbury favorite went down after the 1st race at Turf Paradise yesterday.  Jockey Anne Von Rosen, affectionately nicknamed "The Baroness" because of her German roots, had her Quarter Horse mount tumble on top of her after the conclusion of the 400 yard allowance race.

Panchita Bonita had just finished 2nd in the race when something went wrong beyond the wire and on the backstretch.  I couldn't see what it was on the replay and but according to the Daily Racing Form's Michael Hammersly, "Von Rosen, 43, was pulling up Panchita Bonita after a 400-yard Quarter Horse event, and on the backstretch, the horse took a bad step and went down, flipping over and ending up on top of Von Rosen."

We also know from a message on her FB wall that she had to undergo extensive surgery on her crushed T-5.

Twitter was very active with her fellow jockey Patrick Canchari breaking the news to the public:

Patrick Canchari ‏@pcanchari61 16h

Anne von Rosen suffered a severed spinal cord in the first race today. Sayin a prayer for her and her health

This was followed up by messages of prayer and support both on Twitter and on her Facebook page.  If, as has been speculated, Von Rosen is paralyzed from the waist down, it is going to be a long, hard road to recovery and shines the spotlight on what hides beneath the surface every racing day: a jockey risks their life each and every time they get on the back of a racehorse and, as independent contractors, suffer more than most when they are unable to work.

The Permanently Disabled Jockey's Fund was established in 2006 as "a collaborative effort of many leaders in the horse racing industry, including race tracks, jockeys, horsemen, and many others who had a vision of a program that would bring much-needed financial assistance to a group of athletes who have given so much to the sport of horse racing."

I would encourage you all click the link and learn more about the fund and all that it has done to assist disabled jockeys and keep this in mind the next time your local truck holds a fundraiser for injured and disabled jockeys.

In the meantime, Anne will need all our thoughts and prayers as she faces the toughest battle of her life.