Over 140 riders and their families, and members of the Board of Directors of the National Horse Show attended the EQUUS Foundation "Deal or No Deal" event at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament and National Horse Show on Halloween, Friday, October 31, 2008, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Oncenter Ballroom. Hosted by Bates Saddles, the event featured many of the top junior riders competing in the coveted Maclay Finals as the Deal or No Deal Suitcase Models.
Alexa Anthony, Carly Anthony, Anna Becker, Sophie Benjamin, Alexandra Biederman, Victoria Birdsall, Molly Braswell, Olivia Clancy, Carolyn Curcio, Annie Davidson, Tina Dilandri, Christy DiStefano, Brian Feigus, Julianna Fischer, Navona Gallegos, Samantha Harrison, Amber Henter, Caitlyn Hope, Johanna Hyyppa, Olivia Jack, Reed Kessler, Christina Lin, Emma Lipman, Jacqueline Lubrano, Kimberly McCormack, Matthew Metell, Michelle Morris, Chelsea Moss, Jocelyn Neff, Catherine Pasmore, Nina Pola, Julie Richardson, Samantha Schaefer, Jessica Springsteen, Katherine Stewart, Catie Verano, Lauren Vogel and Shelby Wakeman were among the models.
Guests enjoyed a casual reception, a silent auction, a delicious buffet dinner geared to the equestrian audience, and a Halloween audio/visual show before being summoned by Ringmaster John E. Franzreb, III, to sit back and enjoy the take-off on the well known TV show. Suitcase sponsors included Patricia Adikes-Hill, Eleanor Bright, Burr Associates, Karen Healey Stables, Cassie Herman, The Hope Family, Suzanne Marquand and The Springsteen Family.
Beryl Ita of Bates Saddles, the event host, joined Mason Phelps, Jr., serving as emcee at the podium to select the two contestants. The grand prize was $5,000. First up was Fred Bauer—who after much deliberation and urging from his three rooters, and with the $5,000 suitcase out of the running, made a deal for a $250 Gift Certificate donated by Bevals Saddlery.
Other offerings included a Next Generation Bates Elevation Saddle, a Sabrina Bag in Espresso by Coach, the ORIGINS "Be Gingerous" Deluxe Ginger Collection, a course walk with a grand prix rider and some fabulous items donated by the Callari Auto Group in Fairfield County, CT—BMW of Darien, MINI of Fairfield County, and Volvo of Westport, including BMW Cruise Bike and BMW M6 Convertible Kids' Car.
Dan Silverstone was up next and could not resist the offer of the BMW Cruise Bike after the case containing the $5,000 prize was out of contention.
"We are a young organization and are still working to raise awareness of our mission within the equestrian community", said Jenny Belknap, Chair of The EQUUS Foundation, who, along with Catherine Herman, Vice Chair and Chair of Fundraising, were on hand for the event and expressed their gratitude to the Board of Directors of both the National Horse Show and the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament for their tremendous support.
The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., awarded over $300,000 in 2008 to 50 charities involved in equestrian and equine activities, bringing the total awards to $1.1 million since 2003. The awards were made possible almost entirely from donations from EQUUS events. The EQUUS Foundation sponsors entertaining events each year to give something back to donors who give so generously.
For additional information on The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., visit the EQUUS website at www.equusfoundation.org or contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, (203) 259-1550, email to [email protected].