2006-09-14 Folly Farm Classic Benefits The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp
Folly Farm Classic Benefit Horse Show Celebrates 14 Years of Family Fun Activities and Equestrian Competition. Proceeds To Help Support The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp
Folly Farm Stables, LLC and The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, with support from local sponsors, join forces to present the annual Folly Farm Classic Benefit Horse Show, a 14-year-old fundraising tradition that combines top-notch equestrian competition with fun-filled activities for the entire family. This year, proceeds from The Classic will benefit The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp located in Ashford, CT.
The annual event being held Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1, features an array of kid-friendly adventures including pony rides, hayrides around the farm's 25 sprawling acres and crafts for kids including sand art, pumpkin painting and scarecrow making. These activities will be in full swing from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. In addition, a teacup auction will be held on both Saturday and Sunday featuring items from Deepwater Lobster Company, New England Pasta Company, Metro Bis, Sarah Byrnes Goldsmith, West Street Wines & Spirits, Starbucks Coffee, The Secret Garden of Martha's Vineyard, Bosc Kitchen & Wine Bar, Geepers, The Perfect Toy, Stonewall Kitchen and The Wool Connection.
The main equestrian event in this year's Classic is the second-annual Folly Farm Handy Hunter Classic. This division of competition requires horse and rider combinations to navigate a course of obstacles similar to those found in "trappy hunt country." Participants may be asked to trot over a fence, lead their horse over an obstacle like a hay bale, open and close a gate while mounted or dismount and remount without assistance. This exciting event will run Saturday afternoon and tests both the horse and rider’s ability to tackle jumps and navigate unusual obstacles and tasks.
"The Folly Farm Classic Benefit Horse Show is a thrilling event for both equestrian athletes and families seeking a weekend full of fun activities," comments Cara Chapel, owner of Folly Farm Stables, LLC. "We invite the public to share in the excitement of the weekend while we raise money for a charitable cause. Last year this event raised over $40,000 and we are looking forward to growing that amount this year."
Equestrian competition continues both Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. until dusk with both youth and adult divisions ranging from novice to advanced levels. The Classic showcases the riders and horses that have garnered the highest point totals in their divisions while competing at Folly Farm Shows throughout the spring and summer. Trophies, ribbons and prizes are awarded in each category.
The Folly Farm Classic Benefit Horse Show will be held rain or shine, Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1 from 8 a.m. until dusk with family activities from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Folly Farm Stables, 75 Hartford Road, Simsbury, Conn. Admission is $5; children under 12 are free.
For more information about the Folly Farm Classic Benefit Horse Show to benefit The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, please contact Jennifer Volanski at (860) 693-8885 or via email at johnandjenv@aol.com.
About The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp:
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, located in Ashford, Connecticut, was founded by Paul Newman in 1988. It is a nonprofit residential summer camp and year-round center designed to serve children and families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses and conditions. Each summer more than 1,000 children between the ages of seven and fifteen from across the country and abroad attend free of charge.
During the off-season, The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp offers programs for campers, their families, and healthcare professionals. In addition, the Camp provides support to associated camps throughout the world. For more information, log on to www.holeinthewallgang.org.