Hundreds of riders from Virginia and many points afar, met recently at Fox Chase Farm in Middleburg to participate in Ride for the Cure Virginia. Many riders had lost loved ones to breast cancer and many others knew friends or colleagues who were fighting a valiant fight.

Riders dressed in every aspect of pink were only outdone by the horses, many of whom had died their tails and manes pink, and were sporting pink saddle blankets, leis and all manner of the breast cancer color code.

Dr. Colette Magnant, a prominent breast surgeon and director of the Sullivan Center's Breast Cancer Program at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C. shed light on the importance of events like the Fox Chase Ride and spoke at length about how horses can help someone with breast cancer.

In an interview with Darly Newman who directs Equitrek, Dr. Magnant said she encouraged riders to continue riding after they are diagnosed and as long as they can.

"We know that people who love animals live longer," she explained, "So it only makes sense."

Dr. Magnant is also associate professor of surgery and director of trauma services at Georgetown University Medical Center.

Over $100,000 was raised to support the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.