WELLINGTON, FL – February 18, 2010 – Just a week away on Friday, February 26, 2010, the Fete Cheval will bring out the “kid” in all the guests who enter the Marquee “Big Top” Tent at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. Featuring a carnival-theme dinner, complete with cotton candy and other “carnival” accoutrements, the event, presented by Spy Coast Farm, and benefitting The EQUUS Foundation, is great for kids to attend too.
During the reception and casual dinner, guests can test their strength on the Hi-Striker, or their agility with the Frog Pond, Wiggle Wire, Cat Rack, and Boulder Roll – all official carnival games provided by Metropolis Entertainment (http://www.metropolispro.com/)
But that’s not all – the highlight of the evening will be watching some of the world’s top riders and trainers demonstrate not only their unique equestrian talent but also great sportsmanship in gymkhana games ringside on the polo field. Hillary Dobbs, Kent Farrington, Sandy Ferrell, Brianne Goutal, Patricia Griffith, Todd Minikus, Bert Mutch, Rodrigo Pessoa, Peter Pletcher, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Shane Sweetnam, Jimmy Torano, and McLain Ward will battle it out in Musical Stalls, the Power and Speed Relay, and a Surprise Ride-Off judged by Ralph Caristo and Susie Schoellkopf.
Karen Flynn of the University of Miami Intercollegiate Equestrian Team (http://www6.miami.edu/studorgs/umet/) and Helen Varble of Sunlight Ranch Equestrian Community in Hobe Sound, Florida (http://www.sunlightranch.com/) will be generously donating the horses for the event.
The Fete Cheval was last held in 2006. The audiences were up on their feet roaring and rooting throughout, but the final Ride-Off surpassed everyone’s expectations when in 2006 Todd Minikus rode his horse bareback backwards matching the amazing feat performed by McLain Ward in 2005 riding his mount standing up.
“With competition for fundraising dollars as competitive as the equestrian sport, we design our events to thoroughly entertain the audience”, said Co-Chairs Gray Fadden and Visse Wedell. “The Fete Cheval is an event that no one will want to miss, and event proceeds will be used for equestrian and horse related charities across the United States.”
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Individual seats for the Equestrian Idol event are $150 per person. Tables of eight are available as follows: Super Fan (Front Row): $5,000 and Fan: $2,500. To R.s.v.p., visit the EQUUS website at www.equusfoundation.org or contact The EQUUS Foundation by telephone at (203) 259-1550, or email at equus@equusfoundation.org.
About The EQUUS Foundation, Inc.
The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., established in August 2002, as a 501(c)(3) national charitable foundation, seeks to raise public awareness of the value of the horse in society through education and the awarding of grants to charities that use the horse to benefit the public, promote the health and welfare of horses, and elevate the equestrian sport as a whole. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for the selection of the grant recipients. The Board includes: Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman, Catherine Herman, Vice Chairman, David T. Goodwin, Secretary/Treasurer, Lynn Coakley, President, David Distler, Gray Fadden, Richard Mitchell DVM, Clea Newman Soderlund, and Visse Wedell.
Thanks to the generosity of its donors, The EQUUS Foundation helps thousands of people and horses each year. Over $1.3 million in grants have been awarded since the first awards in 2003. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, website: www.equusfoundation.org.
