WELLINGTON, FL – February 23, 2010 – For anyone who has ever competed in an equestrian event and may have wondered how judges select the winners, the opportunity will be yours at the February 26, 2010 Fete Cheval Carnivale to benefit The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at the International Polo Club in Wellington, Florida. The evening event, hosted by Title Sponsor, Spy Coast Farm, will be great fun for both adults and children.
One member of the audience will join Ralph Caristo and Susie Schoelkopf to “judge” the competitors in a round of Musical Stalls and a “Power & Speed Relay, concluding with a Surprise Ride-Off among the game winners.
Top Jumper and Hunter riders, Hillary Dobbs, Kent Farrington, Sandy Ferrell, Brianne Goutal, Patricia Griffith, Todd Minikus, Bert Mutch, Rodrigo Pessoa, Peter Pletcher, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Shane Sweetnam, and Jimmy Torano, will vie for top honors in fun and games on the polo field while guests enjoy a carnival-themed reception and dinner.
But that’s not all, guests will enter the “Big Top” Marquee Tent complete with a menagerie of pucciManuli animals waiting to be adopted and compete for prizes at the official carnival games provided by Metropolis Entertainment – the Hi-Striker, the Frog Pond, Wiggle Wire, Cat Rack, and Boulder Roll. But that’s not all either – guests will also have the opportunity to wager in a game of Black Jack and in a 50/50 to select the winning rider.
Karin Flynn of the University of Miami Intercollegiate Equestrian Team (http://www6.miami.edu/studorgs/umet/) and Helen Varble of Sunlight Saddle Club in Hobe Sound, Florida (http://www.sunlightranch.com/saddleclub_about.htm) are donating the horses for the event. Bart Kenis of BSK-jumps and Bruno Delgrange is donating the jumps. A delicious carnival menu has been planned by Aaron’s Catering with music by Tradewinds Music.
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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 http://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.
