Jul/100
Mid America Horse Rescue Hosts Inaugural “Silks & Suits” Gala
Fundraising and Charity Ball Will Help Rescue and Rehabilitate Ex-Racehorses
For tickets to the Silks and Suits gala, RSVP at (618) 534-4253 or mahrnfp@yahoo.com.
To donate directly to Mid America Horse Rescue, please visit http://www.mahrnfp.org/how_to_help.php.
Come join us on Saturday, Oct. 30, as Mid America Horse Rescue (MAHR) hosts its inaugural "Silks & Suits" gala fundraiser and charity ball.
The event will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Four Seasons Hotel in St. Louis.
Funds raised will help provide shelter, rehabilitation and retraining for more than 50 ex-racehorses awaiting your help. Numerous notable artists will be donating one-of-a-kind works for the silent and live auctions, which will accompany the event and help raise funds for the rescued horses.
The evening will include keynote speaker Alex Brown of Alex Brown Racing, a New York Times-published author and horse welfare advocate.
As an exercise rider who has worked such racetracks as Penn National and Churchill Downs, Brown has brought national awareness to horse welfare and racing industry regulations through the legacy of Barbaro, the racehorse who fought for life after his Kentucky Derby win.
Slated as the Midwest's premier 2010 equestrian event, the "Silks & Suits" gala will allow the equine community to come together with a common purpose of giving back to support these animal athletes. Although horse racing is a thriving industry in the United States, and hundreds of horses are bred each year to compete, nothing protects their lives once they stop winning.
Mid America Horse Rescue strives to rescue ex-racehorses – primarily Thoroughbreds – and prepare them for their second chance at life after the racetrack. We do this by offering rescue, rehabilitation, retraining and adoption programs for these noble creatures, allowing them to live out their lives respectfully. We also serve as an ally to the racing industry, collaborating and partnering with other people and organizations to ensure sufficient funds are set aside for aftercare programs for these animal athletes once they retire from the racetrack.
During Mid America Horse Rescue’s first year of operation, it rescued, rehabilitated, retrained and transitioned over 200 horses into foster care or adoption. While a significant step, this number represents only a fraction of the need that remains, as hundreds of horses are left without permanent homes annually, after leaving their silks behind.
"This event is vital to creating the financial support needed to continue rescuing the thoroughbreds that so many of us cheer on throughout the racing season," said Sutter. "We appreciate the racing industry for their support and confidence in Mid America Horse Rescue. With our local community's support, together we can continue to move forward. This will be a momentous celebration filled with great food, music and people – and best of all, it supports a great purpose."
Mid America Horse Rescue provides a second life to ex-racehorses. With equine-assisted therapy programs currently in development, Mid America Horse Rescue also helps children with various types of illnesses and disabilities improve their confidence as well as emotional and physical capabilities.
Alex Brown has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in the horse racing industry. He is currently writing a book entitled "Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and his Legacy."
About Mid America Horse Rescue:
Mid America Horse Rescue is a non-profit organization based in Millstadt, Ill., that rescues, rehabilitates and retrains ex-race horses. These noble creatures deserve a second chance at life, through adoption or therapy programs that allow them to continue giving and living out their lives respectfully. To this end, we endeavor to build the premier equine educational facility in the United States, as we continue to offer a full scope of educational and therapy programs for the community, in addition to housing a well-established rehabilitation center. Mid America Horse Rescue is currently serving as home to about 80 thoroughbreds – with needs ranging from training and complex medical care, to simply love. We need financial support in order to continue operating the rescue and shelter facilities. Please join our mission at www.midamericahorserescue.org.
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Media: To learn more about Mid America Horse Rescue, secure an interview with Founder Margo Sutter, or obtain photos, please contact Kristin Gumper at kgumper@standingpr.com, 314.469.3500 (office), or 314.630.5459 (cell).
