Contact: Peggy Fuller (904) 612-1404
or Joanne Connell at galengator@bellsouth.net

Green Cove Springs, FL On Saturday, November 14, 2009, the North Florida Equestrian Society and North Florida Hunter-Jumper Association will host “Weekend for Warriors and Dinner in the Dirt” at the Clay County Fairgrounds on SR16. Throughout the day, beginning at 8:00 a.m., guests can view horsemanship clinics by certified John Lyons’ trainer, James Malcolm, and by noted clinician, Phil Rogers. A variety of children’s activities, therapeutic riding demonstrations, and a Hunter-Jumper Horse Show are part of the daytime activities.

Daytime activities and parking are free (donations are welcome and greatly appreciated), food concessions and merchandise vendors will be open for day and evening events. General admission (grandstand seating) tickets for the evening show, if purchased in advance are $10/adult, $8/senior or military, $5/children ages 6-14, and children under 6 are free. Advance purchase tickets are available at Lisa’s Feed (904-282-4341), Two Time Tack and Feed (904-262-7574), Feed N’ Time (904-825-1783), The Gift Horse (904-529-8225), Bent Creek Feed (904-777-3838), and Russell’s Feed (904-291-5725). Ticket prices at the gate on event day are higher, $15/adult, $12/senior military, $8 children 6-14, with children under 6 still free.

Dinner in the Dirt is preceded by cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., the dinner, catered by Le Pavillion of St. Augustine, will seat attendees where they can watch, up close and personal the evening show. The evening show features performances by Herrmann’s Royal Lippizzan Stallions, Denny Chapman’s Wild West Show, and an array of equine therapeutic demonstrations. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Mary Baer, of the local TV station, Channel 4. Preceeding the show a Military Color Guard will present the colors and there will be a ceremony honoring military personnel. Reserved seating for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and Dinner in the Dirt is $65 per person or $500 for a ten-top table. Reservations must be received no later than November 1, 2009.

The purpose of the event is to raise funds to build a therapeutic riding center in Northeast Florida. Therapeutic riding helps children and adults with physical or mental challenges by giving them the opportunity to be involved with and ride horses. Therapeutic riding provides many benefits to challenged people, helping with balance, gait, and improving outlook and morale, as well as instilling confidence. The goal is to provide these services from a new facility. A part of the intended program will serve America’s military, active and retired, wounded veterans, and is modeled after “Horses for Heroes.”

All proceeds benefit Northeast Florida H.O.R.S.E. Therapies, Inc. (Helping Others Rehabilitate Through the Services of Equines), a not for profit Equine Therapeutic Program to benefit people with special needs and to serve our Military Personnel through “Horses for Heroes” and the “Wounded Warriors” programs.