Recently I attended the kick-off party for The Equest Premier Celebration, hosted at the exquisite home of Coley and Jennifer Clark, to mingle and to learn more about their new facility and upcoming equestrian-themed event.

Upon arrival, guests were greeted by Equest’s friendly Mini Ambassadors, Cisco and Dare, twin miniature paint horses. Lombardi Family Concepts served cocktails and gourmet treats and Kingsland Apparel showcased equestrian chic fashion and accessories, a stylish preface for the upcoming Celebration.

From Equest CEO Patrick Bricker:

Equest started as a small local charity 32 years ago and has grown into an internationally renowned organization for equine therapy. Equest has touched and changed the lives of thousands, affecting not just the Riders but the lives of everyone around us.

Led by a dynamic committee, Chairs Denny and Connie Carreker and Honorary Chairs Kenny and Lisa Troutt, The 2015 Equest Premier Celebration at Texas Horse Park, an equestrian chic fundraising gala unveiling Equest’s newest therapeutic horsemanship facility at Texas Horse Park, will be held on Saturday, April 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Texas Horse Park (811 Pemberton Hill Road, Dallas, TX 75217).

The magical evening will feature the finest in Texas hospitality with Southern food and drinks, live Country music, silent and live auctions, and Equest Rider and Horse demonstrations. Sponsorships are available online starting at $5,000, and tables are available at $2,500 each at www.equest.org/events.  Individual tickets are be available for purchase now for $250. The complimentary shuttle service provided by Premier Transportation is strongly encouraged.

Denny Carreker summarized the partnership with Texas Horse Park.

The Texas Horse Park is an integral part of expansion, not only for Equest, but also for the development of South Dallas. It is a beautiful time of progress for everyone – our Riders, our organization, and The City of Dallas. The opportunities for advancement are limitless.

This event will draw its theme and inspiration from Dallas’ deep love of horses.  Attire can be either Western or English Equestrian, but boots are mandatory!  The fundraiser will be held at the new Equest facilities at the Texas Horse Park, which includes an administration building, sparkling new barns and a huge covered arena.  The Texas Horse Park, a 304-acre site located in the heart of the Great Trinity Forest is just eight miles from Downtown Dallas.

About Chairs Connie and Denny Carreker
Denny Carreker is the CEO of Jet Linx Aviation and serves on the advisory board of MedSynergies based in Irving, Texas. He is also active in community and philanthropic affairs, serving as a member of the regional board of the Salvation Army, a former member of the board of directors of Global Missions Fellowship, St. Paul Fund for Advanced Heart and Lung Disease, and Camp John Marc, and a former member of the board of directors of the College of Engineering at Southern Methodist University. He and his wife Connie are past honorary chairs and past members of the board of directors of the Dallas Make-a-Wish Foundation and are current members of Park Cities Presbyterian Church. In October, Connie and Denny successfully chaired St. Paul Hospital’s Legends Gala, which raised over $1 million in funds for research.

About Honorary Chairs Lisa and Kenny Troutt
Kenny Troutt founded Excel Communications, a long distance telephone service company, which went public in 1996. Two years later, Troutt merged his company with Teleglobe in a $3.5 billion deal. Mr. Troutt currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association as well as on the Board of Directors for the Breeders’ Cup. He resides in Dallas, TX with his wife Lisa and their three children. Lisa Troutt is a founding board member for The Council for Life and serves on the boards of the Salvation Army, New Friends New Life, Point of View, and Southern Methodist University Meadows School of the Arts. She is also affiliated with the Park Cities Republican Women and the Laura W. Bush Women’s Initiative Council.

About Equest
Founded in 1981, Equest provides Therapeutic Sports Riding classes and Hippotherapy to approximately 300 riders annually with the help of 38 horses, 11 certified riding instructors and more than 700 volunteers who provide 35,000+ hours of direct service each year. After being the first therapeutic riding program in Texas, we have become one of the largest non-profit therapeutic riding centers in the state. We serve children and adults with all types of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities, as well as U.S. Military veterans / service personnel and their families.

Photo credit: Jason Janik

Edited Media Advisory

Scoop: Here I am with my +1…my sister!