There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Georgia trainer Carl Yamber returned to the saddle today to ride in the Bridleless Western Pleasure Class to benefit the National Snaffle Bit Association’s Crisis Fund at the Tom Powers Triple Challenge Futurity in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Yamber, who suffered a stroke and heart attack in November, is one of the many to benefit from the crisis fund, established in 2002 to assist trainers who experience financial need arising from a sudden and demonstrable hardship or disaster of a severe and unexpected nature or from serious physical illness.

Ten professional trainers competed in the class today following a Calcutta, which raised $26,150. Yamber raised the highest bid,$10,000 made by an “anonymous friend of Carl Yamber.”

Benefit organizer Sue Dempze asked Yamber to say a few words before the class and his reply: “Well I was thinking about showing in it instead.”

Yamber competed aboard OHK Krymsun Zip, owned by Richard and Betty Jo Carr. Judging the class were: Charles Cannizzaro, Kenny Lakins, Taft Dickerson, Shane Pope and Garth Gooding.

Yamber was the unanimous winner of the class. Each time a judge called him out first the large crowd burst out in applause.

The Calcutta winner donated winnings back to the fund and $10,000 was presented directly to Yamber.