COVENTRY – A Coventry horse farm owner is encouraging fellow equestrians to “saddle up” this weekend to raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

“In my opinion, it’s just a great charity,” said Jan Hinman of Rex Farms.

She also has a personal connection to the cause, since the son of a friend was treated at the Memphis, Tennessee pediatric cancer treatment and research facility. She has chosen to support St. Jude’s for this reason, as well as for the fact that donations go to those who need it, rather than to cover administrative costs.

On Saturday, Hinman is combining her love of horses with her commitment to raising money for pediatric cancer research, with her seventh annual Saddle Up for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

“We’ve grown a lot in the last seven years,” she said, recalling that the first year they raised just $625. Last year, 50 riders participated and together they raised $5,010. She hopes to top that this weekend.