"Beautiful Music and Breathtaking Horses" take center stage in the The Symphony of Horses 2006. The Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA) is producing its third amazing evening of world-class horses and riders performing to the Central Florida Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dr. Susan Robinson. The production of 2002 and 2004 thrilled sold-out crowds to the benefit of the non-profit therapeutic horseback riding program.

The 2006 performance will be held Sunday evening, December 10, and is presented by Ocala.com and Gainesville.com. It will be held for the first time at the University of Florida’s Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL. The climate controlled 10,000-seat facility will accommodate the growing popularity of the event. “It was a very difficult decision to move the performance out of Marion County, but the O’Connell Center was the only location that could meet our growth needs and still be in driving distance to Ocala,” stated Earleen Kenyon, Director of MTRA.

The performers are a list of the who’s who in the horse world and entertainment world. “They just step up to the plate and volunteer to be there for us,” said Kenyon. The 2006 list includes Chester Weber, Pat Parelli, Misdee Wrigley, The Arabian Nights’ Black Stallion, Medieval Times, Eitan Beth-Halachmy’s Cowboy Dressage and Denny Chapman’s Wild West Show. Plus Carson Kressley, nationally ranked competitive equestrian, star of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and author of the children’s book You’re Different and That’s Super.

Dr. Robinson will be conducting The Central Florida Philharmonic Orchestra for their third collaboration with MTRA. “She has been with us through the last two events and is just amazing, added Kenyon. "You can’t count on horses taking cues or hitting their marks, so Susan has to keep one eye on them and one eye on her orchestra. She makes it a seamless flow of beautiful music."

The Symphony of Horses 2006 is produced by and benefits the MTRA. The therapeutic horseback riding and driving program serves children and adults with mental, physical and emotional disabilities through the incredible relationship of human and horse. Since its establishment in 1986, it has served thousands of individuals. It currently provides over 400 rides per month with the dedication of over 200 active volunteers. Proceeds from the evening’s performance will help the development of MTRA’s second location and the progress of new program efforts. MTRA. is also making a donation to the Hope Center of Archer (Horses Helping People, Inc.). This is a fellow program located in Alachua County, FL. As Kenyon said, “It’s all about giving a leg up!”

Performance Information
Date: Sunday evening, December 10, 2006
Performance Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.
Location: Stephen C. O’Connell Center at The University of Florida
Tickets: General Admission: $35. Kids Under 13: $20; Celebrity Party with Preferred Seating: $150
Tickets are available from University Box Office at (352) 392-1653 or Ticket Master at (904) 353-3309 (fees apply).
Sponsorship Packages: www.mtraocala.org or call (352) 624-4240
To Volunteer: Please call Sarah Tooher at (352) 624-4240


~~~