On Saturday, April 27, Calvert Collins-Bratton declared that April had become the spring version of October when it came to fundraising. And right she was as she co-chaired Equest‘s Blue Ribbon Gala with her childhood friend/horse-loving Melissa Oates at the Hilton Anatole.
Across North Texas, valets, caterers and venues were in overdrive with guests having to change in vehicles to adapt their look from cowboy chic at the Blue Ribbon Gala to OMG black tie, drop-dead gorgeous for the House Of DIFFA at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.
But like so many spring events, all were at the mercy of Mother Nature. She had already laid claim to calamity in the previous day, devastating Navarro County.
Luckily, Equest, SVP Philanthropy’s Together For Good and DIFFA’s House of DIFFA were spared. The threatening weather had held off on this night. But the next week would be another story with tornado sirens blasting Dallas and Collins counties.
As stay-at-home types suffered through White House Correspondents’ Association President Kelly O’Donnell going mic-drunk as they watched the Correspondents dinner on TV, the equine-therapy-loving guests couldn’t be bothered. They weren’t into celebrating name dropping, narcissistic platitudes or Colin Jost’s jokes that fell flat.
The night started with one Equest staffer admitting that she had taken all the steps to stave off the day-before torrential weather — “I didn’t wash my car.”
After a brief one-two rehearsal for Blue Ribbon Emcee Jody Dean, Co-Chairs Calvert and Melissa, Equest Board Chair Tim Gavin and Interim CEO Lisa Loy Laughlin in silver glitter short jacket with fringed sleeves and matching silver boots, the setting in the Chantilly Ballroom was ready for the crowd of more than 550.
During the rehearsal, Jody was a typical dad showing cellphone snaps of his 19-year-old daughter Maddie Dean and being grateful to join his son on projects. One of which was Jody’s being drafted to be a king at Medieval Times Dinner And Tournament program. Jody admitted as wonderful as the regalia and his steed were, it was tough adjusting to riding on an English saddle. To adapt to the rigors of not being on a saddle in 20 years, he admitted that the English way was a new position resulting in new aches and pain.
Following the rehearsal, Calvert took leave to change from a blue-and-white sundress to a way-above-the-knee hot pink “Y’all” dress.
Speaking of fashion, mother hen Debbie Oates in white with ruffled sleeves admitted that she had texted Melissa to see how the ballroom was. Receiving no answer didn’t exactly calm Debbie’s concern.
Still it was a night of fashion challenges for the very generous types like Kristin and James Hallam, who were slated to attend both the cowboy chic Blue Ribbon and black tie House of DIFFA. Literally kicking off the night at the Equest fundraiser, Kristin lifted her billowing ball gown to reveal cowboy boots. Was she going to wear the boots to DIFFA? Husband James in tuxedo laughed saying she had a pair of heels ready to replace the boots in the car.
The Hallams were having a busy spring. Like many other parents, they were going through the rites of graduating children. Kristen admitted that in addition to graduating twins Hale Hallam and Hite Hallam, they were in the process of college selection.
As Honorary Co-Chairs Kristy and Patrick Sands posed for photos outside near the valet stand with a couple of Equest residents, Artie and Amigo, the arrival of guests got underway along the entry hallway with a blue carpet runner lined on either side with saddles, belt buckles, blue ribbons, medals, boots, helmets and freestanding light box displays featuring Equest highlights.
But the early arrivals of VIP types took a step back when someone announced that the Equest mini-ambassadors were getting ready to enter. As if King Charles and Camilla were to arrive, the crowd of guests in the hotel’s entry hallway parted to make way as Dare and Ranger were led in on a blue carpet looking a bit ho-hum. After all, this wasn’t their first rodeo… or, rather photo opp. They were old pros, having all types of two-legged critters photographed at Highland Park Village, Arlington Hall and Brook Hollow Golf Club and in Korshak.
As photographers snapped photos of the pair’s stroll on the blue carpet, noses recognized a scent that wafted throughout the area. As the sound “Oh!” rippled, anyone familiar with a stable knew all too well — poop. All eyes shifted from the passing ponies to a site that immediately screamed “kitty litter.”
Evidently black-and-white Ranger had upstaged even all the high rollers and decorations trailing “leftovers” on the up-to-now pristine blue carpet.
As the minis headed to the photo opp setting near the ballroom, their PSP (Poop Scooper Person) with brush and pail in hand cleared the trail of droppings.
Despite his best scrubbing efforts, the PSP couldn’t totally clear the air.
Luckily, the evening’s honoree Carolyn Anderson’s and her family’s arrival seemed to clear the air a bit.
Following the cocktail reception in the Chantilly’s lobby, the doors opened to the ballroom. Despite the room’s usually hosting crowds of 1,500 with staff squeezing the crowded tables surrounded by chairs, the Gala’s layout provided spacing that allowed for easy servicing. Here’s a report from the field:
Equest’s interim CEO Lisa Loy Laughlin took a spot at the entrance of the Hilton Anatole’s Chantilly Ballroom welcoming guests, sponsors and underwriters to the nonprofit’s 43rd Anniversary Gala titled “Hope Unbridled” as two of the mascot horses, Artie and Amigo, posed for selfies, bringing alive the work Equest does every day through the human horse connection.
Gala chairs Calvert Collins-Bratton and Melissa Oates, along with honorary chairs and Patron Party hosts, Kristy and Patrick Sands, joined Lisa mixing and mingling in the crowd, which included Melissa’s mom and dad, Debbie and Nickey Oates; Equest Board Chair Tim Gavin and his wife Ann Gavin, Pam Busbee and Christie Carter.
Spotting favorites and bidding in the silent auction, over 580 attendees enjoyed wines and champagne as they posed with mini horses Dare and Ranger and eyed the live auction items.
Emcee Jody Dean welcomed the crowd and received a round of applause when he said it was good to be inside in the air conditioning, since the event was traditionally held outside. Introducing Calvert and Melissa, they took the stage saying they were honored to chair this event and thanked Kristy and Patrick for their unwavering support. Following a short video they talked about the magic energy that happens between horses and humans and how that changes lives through Equest’s programs as the first therapeutic horsemanship center in Texas and one of the nation’s largest PATH International Premier Accredited Centers.
After the invocation, the Citation Award was announced, and a short video explained its history. Given annually since 2019, the Citation Award is named after the thoroughbred horse Citation (1945-1970), who won 16 consecutive races in major stakes race competitions and is the first horse in history to win $1 million. The award was presented to Carolyn Anderson in recognition of her years on the Equest board, three-times chair of Boots and Salutes event benefiting Equest’s Veterans Programs, countless hours of volunteerism and dedication.
Dinner was served, which included a salad of seasonal mixed lettuces, quinoa, heart of palm and toasted pumpkin seeds followed by an entrée of filet mignon, gold potato puree with roasted tomato and asparagus. It was all topped off with a most delicious lemon cello tiramisu and a dark chocolate mousse with raspberry insert.
The Founder’s Award was presented to Pamela Dealey Petty, following a video detailing her avid involvement with Equest over the years, beginning with her service with the Junior League of Dallas, serving on the board, co-chair of the gala twice and various committees through decades of work to today.
Lisa and Tim shared the stage, saying that these award recipients have shared their precious gifts of time and encouraged everyone to come out and experience the magic that happens at Equest every day.
Tim also gave kudos to Lisa, who took a leave of absence from the board during a challenging time and accepted the role of Interim CEO. A special treat was the following video which showed the therapeutic benefits and hands-on experiences of the children and adults who participate in Equest’s programs.
A parent testimonial from Samantha and Juan Llorente, whose daughter Mia is an Equest client, had some in the crowd a little tearful as it showcased her absolute joy as she interacted with her horse and counselor at Equest.
Following a spirited live auction, which featured items such as a stay in Southern Ireland, salmon fishing in Vancouver, golf at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California and an Italian coast tour in Sorrento, a paddle raise brought even more funds to support Equest via horse sponsorships, monthly giving and supplemental sponsorships.
As the lights dimmed, the fabulous Manhattan Band struck up tunes that brought everyone to the dance floor to end the night dancing until the lights went out.
Sponsors included The Rosewood Foundation, Cindy Thomas, Bill Woodall Family and more. Media sponsors were Modern Luxury Dallas and My Sweet Charity.
Learn more about Equest and how you can become involved in upcoming events or as a volunteer or member, visit www.equest.org .
As a result of the evening’s festivities, its gross was $$626,082 (up $71,370.41 from 2023) and it netted $299,453 (up $63,733.56 from 2023) for the Equest programs.