Texas’ Cowboy-Friendly Gala Raises Over Half a Million for Therapeutic Horsmanship

Inside the 41st Annual Equest Fundraiser

By PaperCity Staff Report // Jul 6, 2022

Photography Tamytha Cameron and Nate Rehlander

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Jae Kim, Hope Furst with Equest mini ambassadors Ranger and Dare (Photo by Nate Rehlander)

Blue Ribbon Ball co-chairs Finley Konrade, Elsa Norwood and Carol Huckin (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Lili Kellogg, Equest CEO with honorary chairs Hawkins and Leslie Golden (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Frances Mitchel, Anna Gresham, Julie Struble, Lelia Redwine with Equest mini ambassadors Ranger and Dare (Photo by Nate Rehlander)

Whitney and Tyler Thomas (Photo by Nate Rehlander)

Leslie Rousseau, Katherine Wyker with Equest mini ambassador Dare (Photo by Nate Rehlander)

Peter and Kay Weeks with Equest mini ambassador Dare (Photo by Nate Rehlander)

Lucy and John Bannon with Equest mini ambassadors Ranger and Dare (Photo by Nate Rehlander)

Gunnar Livingston, Ali Livingston with Equest mini ambassadors Ranger and Dare (Photo by Nate Rehlander)

Ribbon step and repeat (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Linda and Les Secrest (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Paul Divis, Tiffany Divis (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Amanda Whatley, Maura Robinson (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Annie Griffeth, Abby Armstrong (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Featured speaker Timmy Newsom, former NFL Dallas Cowboys player, and Lili Kellogg, Equest CEO (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Bryan Ward, Sophie Ward (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Kris Johnson, Donna Stiles (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Michael Sills, Shelle Sills (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Lindsay and Ray Ballotta (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Sharla Bush, Butch Irby (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

(front) – Rider of the Year Award recipient Olivia McLean, Maggie McLean, (back) – Keagan McLean and Jesse McLean (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Chase Sanders, Christina Sanders (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Miriam Ayala, Eva Cox (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Colin Mathews, Karly Kilroy Mathews (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

David Maddox, Shawn Baker (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Debbie and Jack King (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Citation Award recipients Lane Cates and Brad McLain (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Julie and Mike Free (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Lisa Loy Laughlin, Kendall Laughlin (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

Di Johnston and Claire Bush (Photo by Tamytha Cameron)

WHAT: The 41st Equest Gala (aka Blue Ribbon Ball), which raises funds annually for the nonprofit organization‘s equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling for children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping, and learning disabilities.

WHERE: Texas Horse Park on Saturday, June 4, 2022.

THE SCENE: More than 550 guests traded their heels for cowboy boots in honor of the Blue Ribbon Ball, an equestrian’s dream complete with champagne among the stables and mini horse ambassadors (this year, Ranger and Dare welcomed patrons).

After a photo opp by the blue ribbon wall, guests made their way into the Al Hill, Jr. Arena, where emcee Jody Dean helped to orchestrate a gorgeous evening of farm-fresh cuisine, a lively auction, heartwarming speeches, and dancing beneath the stars. In all, the 41st annual Equest Gala raised more than $600,000.

Awards that evening were presented to Lane Cates and her husband Brad McLain (the 2022 Citation Award), and Olivia McLean (Equest Rider of the Year, Youth), Jaime Moore (Equest Rider of the Year, Adult), and Jimmy Dean (Equest Rider of the Year, Veteran).

PC Seen: Those toasting a glass by the stables included Blue Ribbon Ball co-chairs Carol and Bill Huckin, Finley and Eric Konrade, and Elsa Norwood; honorary chairs Leslie and Hawkins Golden; and Equest’s CEO Lili Kellogg. Presenters included Equest board chairman Julie Sherman and former NFL Dallas Cowboys player Timmy Newsome.