It’s not every day that someone can upstage the Equest mini-ambassadors, Dare and Ranger, but eight-year-old Annabelle Steigner did just that Thursday, September 21, at the Equest Fashion Show and Luncheon patron party. Inside the Carolina Herrera salon in Highland Park Village, she charmed the guests as her mother Brittany Steigner told how Equest had impacted their lives with Annabelle’s showing appreciation for the guests’ support.
To show that there were no hard feelings about the competition for attention, Annabelle and the ponies got together for a group photo. Here’s a report from the field:
Eight-year-old Annabelle Steigner stole the show at the Equest Fashion Show and Luncheon Patron party on the evening of Thursday, September 21, at the Carolina Herrera Boutique in Highland Park Village. Luncheon Chair Kimber Hartmann invited Annabelle, and her mother Brittany Steigner, to tell the 50-plus guests about the Annabelle’s experience in the past two years as a participant in the equestrian physical therapy program.
Annabelle’s family moved to North Texas from Nebraska two years ago. Her father is a member of the Air Force and quick moves from city to city can be the norm, according to Brittany.
“No one seemed to understand Down Syndrome, or many other disabilities, until we discovered Equest,” said Brittany. “The care Annabelle received and the ways in which she can ride, without inhibitions, give her confidence unlike any other experience.”
Last year, Annabelle won a second place and first place ribbon in the Equest horse show “and she was stinking proud” according to Brittany. At that point, Annabelle burst into a plethora of “thank you’s” to everyone in the room which was met with applause and a few tears.
Once the tears subsided, Patron Party Chair Kristi Pierce introduced Community Service Award recipients, Cara French and Prissy Gravely along with Honorary Co-Chair Katie Oster. Katie’s mom, Beth Layton, who is also serving as honorary co-chair, was unable to attend.
Among the guests at the event were Equest CEO/President Myrshem George, longtime Equest stalwarts including Women’s Auxiliary Founder Louise Griffeth, Elsa Norwood, Lisa Troutt, Leslie Merrick, Equest Board Co-Chair Lisa Laughlin, Tiffany Divis, Auxiliary President/Luncheon Chair-elect Katherine Wyker, Fashion Show Underwriting Chair Shannon Graham and Emilynn Wilson.
The Equest Fashion Show and Luncheon, on Tuesday, October 3, at Brook Hollow Golf Club, will showcase the latest in fall fashions from Presenting Sponsor Highland Park Village in a fashion show once again produced by Jan Strimple who has made the annual luncheon one of the most sought-after tickets in the Fall. Participating retailers include Carolina Herrera, Etro, Lela Rose, LoveShackFancy, Market, Simkhai and Veronica Beard.
While there are no luncheon seats available, raffle tickets may be purchased by visiting equest.org or contacting Underwriting Chair Shannon Graham at [email protected]
* Photo credit: Melissa Macatee