Since Equest mini-ambassadors Dare and Ranger are old hands at welcoming guests to events, they looked right in place in the driveway of Kristy and Patrick Sands‘ home for the Equest Blue Ribbon Gala patron party on Thursday, April 4. Talk about horsepower on hooves and wheels!
One of those arriving as a passenger was Equest Women’s Auxiliary Founder Louise Griffeth. Instead of driving herself, she had to rely on daughter-in-law Annie Griffeth due to Louise’s recent wrist surgery, which made handling a steering wheel verboten. Louise was disappointed that due to a long-planned “girls cruise,” she wasn’t going to be able to attend the Equest Blue Ribbon Gala at the Hilton Anatole on Saturday, April 27.
Even Annie and husband Teal Griffeth were also going to be MIA due to Annie’s artwork being a part of the DIFFA Dallas “House Of DIFFA” fundraiser the same night.
Another mother-daughter team in attendance was Gala Co-Chair Melissa Oates and her mom Debbie Oates.
Melissa is a true horsewoman, with a stable that includes thoroughbreds and quarter horses. Does she ride wearing a helmet? Heck, yes! As she recalled, years ago an award-winning rider forgot her helmet as she walked her horse that spooked, throwing her head-first to the ground, resulting in her death.
Melissa is also a firm believer that horses should be outdoors as much as possible.
While guests like former Equest CEO/President Lili Kellogg, Melinda and Mark Knowles, Kristin and James Hallam gathered around the pool, Equest client Chloe Fousie bonded with the Sands’ pooch Lucy that had belonged to Kristy before she married Patrick. When asked if he had to get Lucy’s approval, Patrick laughed and said, “Yes.”
After a welcome and an update on plans for the Gala were provided by Melissa and her Co-Chair Calvert Collins Bratton, Equest Interim CEO Lisa Loy Laughlin emphasized the importance of the guests’ support of the Equest programs and its benefits.
Then Chloe’s folks, Matilda and Larry Fousie, recalled how when she first started going to Equest, she was tentative. But over time, she has remarkably come out of her shell is now an old hand at talking with staff members and looking forward to her time with the horses.
Lisa Laughlin says
Dear Jeanne,
Onn behalf of each of our Clients and Equines in the Herd, please accept our deepest appreciation for your dedicated partnership in sharing Equest’s transformational impact through the human horse connection!
Hugs, Lisa Laughlin, Interim CEO , WAUX President and Client Grandmother
Kristy Sands says
Dear Jeanne,
I second Lisa’s lovely comments. Thank you so very much for your wonderful support of Equest and the efforts of the passionate people and animals involved in this very special cause. Patrick and I are deeply grateful for your kind words always.
xoxo
Kristy and Patrick Sands