Celebrating 40 Years of Horse Power

 Equest’s 40^th Anniversary Gala:

Celebrating 40 Years of Horse Power

 

2021 commemorates Equest’s 40^th year of providing life-changing achievements for children and adults with special needs through the human-horse connection. Equest’s 40^th Anniversary Gala: Celebrating 40 Years of Horse Power will not only pay tribute to the past and present but will look towards the future of Equest. This year, the anniversary gala will be combined with the annual Boots & Salutes fundraiser for one smashing evening on Saturday, June 5, 2021, 6:00 to 11:00 p.m., at its newest facility, the Al Hill, Jr. Arena, at Equest at Texas Horse Park.

 

Led by Co-Chairs Lisa and Kendall Laughlin and Katherine and Austin Wyker, the powerfully passionate and vibrant committee will infuse the next level of Southern charm, food, style, and entertainment to the gala. Lisa has been a member of the Equest Women’s Auxiliary since 2014 and is proud grandmother to Elizabeth Laughlin, one of Equest’s clients. Katherine joined the Equest family in 2019, and her family foundation is a therapy horse sponsor and contributor to the capital campaign for the new Al Hill, Jr. Arena. Both of these dedicated women serve on the Equest Board of Directors, and with their husbands, are devoted champions to Equest’s mission.

 

Equestrian couture will replace tuxedos and gowns, and magnolias will adorn the transformed arena for this stellar Southern soiree. The evening will feature a welcoming cocktail reception, seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and a performance by the energetic 11-piece Walton Stout Band of the Jordan Kahn Group. All of Equest’s precious partners, clients, friends, and Hoofed Health Care Heroes – the beloved therapy horses – will unite to celebrate the achievements of Equest’s 40-year history and raise much-needed funds to allow Equest to continue its life-changing impact.

 

Equest’s 40^th Anniversary Gala will also recognize and pay tribute to visionaries of the past, present, and future. These Honorary Chairs have demonstrated boundless commitment, advocacy, and heart for Equest’s mission.

 

Honorary Chairs:

1980 - 1990 – Susan Schwartz and Louise and Guy Griffeth

1990 – 2000 – Steve Barnett and Dr. Candice Chandler

2000-2010 – Pamela and Michael Petty

2010 – 2020 – Carol and William Huckin and The Huckin/Lupton Family   

2020 to the future – Julia and Blake Schwarz and Caitlin and Thomas Laughlin

 

“Humans. Horses. Hope. This has been our mantra since 1981 when Equest opened as the first therapeutic horsemanship center in Texas,” says Equest CEO Lili Kellogg. “It makes my heart full to be celebrating this mantra 40 years later with the ones whose hard work and dedication have made Equest what it is today, an internationally-recognized industry leader.” 

 For more information, please visit www.equest.org or call 972.412.1099.