The dressage, eventing and hunter/jumper communities are uniting for the good of all equestrians February 26, 2008 to raise funds for the Equestrian Aid Foundation. The occasion is the seventieth birthdays of two of the greatest American horsemen of our time
, George H. Morris and Jessica Ransehousen. This birthday celebration brings together students, fans and well wishers to roast and toast these two icons in a fantastic bash to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation/Ride for Hope.
“It is the only time of year when the show jumping, show hunters, eventing and dressage sports are in one location for an extended period of time,” says R. Scot Evans, President of the Equestrian Aid Foundation. “This is the ideal time to celebrate the lives of George and Jessica, true legends in our sports. Because of the tremendous support of our sponsors, all of the funds raised will go directly to our recipients in their time of need.” Presenting sponsors include The Chronicle of the Horse, International Polo Club, Duchossois Family Foundation, Victoria McCullough, Hampton Green Farm, Hal and Kathy Kamine, Wellington Equestrian Partners and The Roemer Foundation. Corporate Sponsors for the event include Anthropologie, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Van Dell Jewelers and Coleman Organic Meats.
Roastmaster Peter Doubleday leads an all-star group of presenters that includes Robert Dover, Katie Prudent, Leslie Howard, General Jonathon R. Burton, Kathy Connelly, Tab Hunter and more in honoring the lives of Jessica and George. Olympic gold medalist Melanie Smith-Taylor is thrilled with the opportunity to participate. “I am honored to be part of it. We have had a lot of fun over the years and to be able to tell stories with ‘George’s girls’, Katie, Leslie and I, should be great. My challenge is to find stories where both of us come out on top,” she says with a laugh. “George has been a great mentor. It will be fun to try to relate all of the stories we have to share, especially since I’m so surprised he’s allowing it! We have always had to sneak around when it relates to his birthday, so this is great.”
Darren Chiacchia is equally excited to acknowledge Ms. Ransehousen. “It’s an honor to be asked to participate,” explains the Pan American Games individual gold medalist. “Jessica has been such a huge influence on both my riding and my life as a whole. I look forward to helping celebrate her birthday and her contributions to the equestrian world. I’m sure I don’t speak alone when I say that she has had a big impact inside and outside the world of sport.”
Robert Banner, Publisher of The Chronicle of the Horse, echoes Smith-Taylor and Chiacchia’s thoughts. “I can’t think of two people who inspired more Chroniclecoverage than George and Jessica. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pages refer to them, their horses, their students, or their thoughts in general. We want to be on the first row of such an important event. So do you!”
This feeling of excitement and reverie had encouraged numerous sponsors to support this great event with the result that one hundred percent of funds raised will benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation. Presenting Sponsor Victoria McCullough says she was inspired to participate. “What compelled me to support this event was the simple purity of the gracious gesture to celebrate the lives of these virtuosos of their respective sports on their birthdays. A beautiful combination of acknowledgement, gratitude and charity. [The event is] a brainchild of Robert Dover, who helps remind us all of the value of our luminaries and the enhancement they bring to our equine community. What could be better?”
Robert Dover is humbled by the positive response from all of the supporters. “I appreciate all our sponsors and thank our newest sponsor, Wellington Equestrian Partners, for showing tremendous support of our two icons as well as the EAF's mission of helping those in our community in need,” he says.
The Celebrity Roast will be held at the International Polo Club in Wellington. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. on February 26. The black tie optional event is sure to be one to remember. Don’t miss this one! To purchase tickets, contact The Equestrian Aid Foundation at info@equestrianaidfoundation.org or by calling 1.800.792.6068.
About the Equestrian Aid Foundation
The Equestrian Aid Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. Its mission is to build a membership-based organization to assist everyone in the equestrian world suffering from life threatening illness, catastrophic accidents or injuries by providing direct financial support for their medical or other basic needs.
Photo copyrighted: Mary Phelps/Phelpsphotos.com