The inaugural $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby was a huge success this year, bringing top-notch hunter competition to the Midwest for a special one-day event that raised more than $60,000 for the Children's Memorial Hospital. The Chicago Hunter Derby was hosted by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause (CEC) and was held on August 30, 2009, at Annali Farm in Antioch, IL.

Children's Memorial Hospital is one of Chicago's most precious civic assets. As Illinois' only freestanding hospital exclusively for children, Children's Memorial currently cares for more than 126,000 young people annually. The hospital is consistently recognized as one of the top pediatric institutions in North America, and many of its physicians and researchers are among the world's top experts in their areas of specialty. In today's challenging health care environment, the hospital relies on philanthropic support to help ensure that all children have access to the highest quality care.

Karen Lackenger, Chairman of Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, stated, "Chicago Equestrians for a Cause recently presented a check to Children's Memorial Hospital for more than $60,000. We are so grateful for the generosity of our many sponsors and volunteers who contributed to the spectacular success of the Chicago Hunter Derby. We also would like to thank all of the talented riders who came to Chicago and made the class very competitive and exciting!"

Katie Spieth, the representative from the Children's Memorial Hospital, said, "Children's Memorial Hospital is honored to be the beneficiary of the Chicago Equestrians for a Cause Hunter Derby event. The significant funds they have been able to generate through this event will provide current use support to the Hospital's Department of Family Services. Staff and programs of Family Services are funded almost solely by philanthropy, which allows the Chicago Equestrians for a Cause to have an immediate impact on the patients and families we are privileged to serve."

Representatives from Chicago Equestrians for a Cause were on hand to donate the check to Children's Memorial Hospital. They included CEC board member Caroline Weeden, 2009 CEC Chairman Karen Lackenger, CEC board member and USHJA Foundation President Lynn Jayne, and 2010 CEC Chairman Margaret Benjamin. Also attending the ceremony was Maureen Corcoran of the Corcoran Family Foundation, who generously added a $10,000 donation to bring the CEC's total donation to more than $60,000.

The title sponsor for the 2009 $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby was CN, the Canadian National Railway Company.

Chicago Equestrians for a Cause would like to thank all of their sponsors for their incredible support for this year's event. They made the 2009 $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby a very special and philanthropic event and helped benefit a very special cause in the Children's Memorial Hospital.

The Chicago Hunter Derby was a series event for the Chronicle of the Horse/United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) International Hunter Derby Finals. Please visit the $25,000 Chicago Hunter Derby website for more details at www.chicagohunterderby.com.