The fundraising Gala Celebration of the Mid South Eventing and Dressage Association on January 31, 2009, was an overwhelming success, fetching more than $40,000 from the live and silent auctions for the Kentucky Horse Park. Over 200 guests attended this new event at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Lexington with Guest of Honor David O'Connor accompanied by prominent figures from the horse world. Proceeds from the evening sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health are being donated to the horse park's barn renovations and a new dressage complex.

The high bid of the evening was $7,500 from 10 guests who each paid $750 for the privilege of a donor inscription in the barn renovation at the Kentucky Horse Park, and a decorative barn light fitting. The live auction got under way after dinner with a framed pair of Theodore (Teddy) O'Connor shoes fetching $1,400. A week in a vacation house in Florida, donated by John and Alston Kerr, Chair of the Kentucky Horse Park Commission, reached $4,250. The second highest bid of the evening was paid for a trip to Badminton Horse Trials in England, which realized $4,500. In total, the live auction raised $28,050.

"We were thrilled with the weekend," said Mary Fike, incoming president of the MSEDA. We really appreciate the support from sponsors, the horse community and MSEDA members—all of whom were integral to the success of the weekend."

Earlier in the day, O'Connor addressed a packed audience in an educational seminar sponsored by ArthroDynamic Technologies, Inc., on the topical subject of safety in the sport of eventing. Over 100 members turned out, despite the extremely cold weather, to learn about the latest developments and findings relating to this important topic.

The MSEDA Annual Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, was also very well attended with members from across the region. The awards were offered in 60 different categories, with four voted on by members at the meeting. Most categories offered awards of first through fifth for eventing and dressage, which were presented by O'Connor. The popular video presentation captured memories from the 2008 season and concluded the luncheon celebrations.