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    Horsing Around

    Special participants ride high in the saddle at ManeGait annual horse show

    Diana Oates
    Apr 16, 2014 | 5:23 pm

    Compassionate members of the community came out to support ManeGait at its sixth annual horse show, which provides riders with disabilities an opportunity to focus instead on their abilities.

    The daylong horse show, on the 14-acre McKinney property, was filled with happiness, hope and harmony between riders and animals. Children and adults alike demonstrated skills learned in therapeutic sessions during horsemanship and trail pattern competitions.

    “The horse show is a very special day for all of us here at ManeGait,” said executive director Tricia Nelson, who is also an instructor and mom to a ManeGait rider. “Our riders work hard year-round, and it’s a chance for the community to come together and celebrate their incredible accomplishments with them.”

    The event culminated with a presentation of ribbons and trophies for riding accomplishments, to the delight of attendees such as Paula and Bill Benton, Jeannie Naumann, Ward Eastman, Pris Darling, Rudy Andrea, Christina Andrea and Bill Darling.

    “In addition to the horse show being a special time for our riders, it’s also a wonderful chance for people to learn more about the ManeGait program and community,” said co-founder and board member Priscilla Darling. “The smiles on the riders’ and families’ faces say it all. Once people see that firsthand, they want to be a part of it.”

    ManeGait works with riders with physical, cognitive, developmental, sensory and/or learning disabilities. Each week, the organization relies on the help of more than 350 volunteers to assist in this goal.

    Volunteer opportunities at ManeGait range from working hands-on with riders and therapy horses to assisting with administrative and event needs. The next volunteer trainings take place on May 3 and 10, and you can find out more on the ManeGait website.

    Since 2007, ManeGait has specialized in using therapeutic horsemanship to help children and adults with disabilities to move beyond their boundaries through the healing power of the horse and the dedication of a professional and caring community.

    Bill Benton, Kathryn Benton, Paula Benton

    Bill Benton (Board Member), Kathryn Benton (ManeGait rider), Paula Benton
      
    Photo by Michelle Oesterreicher
    Bill Benton, Kathryn Benton, Paula Benton
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    Welcome to the Dreamstate

    Dreamy DIFFA Dallas gala invites glammed-up guests into surreal soiree

    Lindsey Wilson
    May 16, 2025 | 1:30 pm
    DIFFA 2025
    Photo by Kelly Alexander
    Gabriella Monte

    We're always in favor of a gala where you can turn up wearing pajamas, but when that gala is House of DIFFA, those PJs had better be glam.

    The 2025 theme combined the eerie with the ethereal: Dreamstate, which DIFFA describes as "a surreal realm where the power of dreams fuels transformation and fantasy gives way to fearless impact."

    And this year's guests were definitely not sleeping. Along with silky, slinky, sequined pajama sets and even a bit of racy lingerie, attendees at this avant-garde fashion extravaganza interpreted the theme in myriad ways: fairy wings, lacy masks, crowns, and plenty of ballgowns, rhinestone tuxedos, and high heels (on all genders) tall enough to rival skyscrapers.

    Chaired by Payton Martin and Jacob Samson and sponsored by the Louis L. Borick Foundation, the May 3 evening began with a private VIP cocktail hour. Then the masses could descend on the Sheraton Dallas Hotel for a vibrant two hours of sipping specialty drinks, posing for photographers, and bidding on both the silent auction items and legendary jacket collection.

    DIFFA 2025Midsummer night scene in the runway show.Photo by Thomas Garza

    These custom, one-of-a-kind jackets were all created exclusively for DIFFA Dallas, and included pieces from both local and global designers. The extensive silent auction offered everything from luxury fashion and jewelry to artwork, spa services, furniture, decor, and exclusive dining and travel experiences, with all proceeds benefiting HIV/AIDS service organizations across North Texas.

    This year's beneficiaries include:

    • AIDS Interfaith Network
    • AIDS Outreach Center
    • AIDS Services of Dallas
    • AIDS Walk South Dallas
    • CAN Community Health
    • Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
    • Children's Medical Center ARMS Clinic
    • Cook Children's Health Foundation
    • Dallas Hope Charities
    • East Texas Cares Resource Center
    • Elevate North Texas
    • Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund
    • Health Services of North Texas
    • HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness
    • Legacy Cares
    • Legal Hospice of Texas
    • Open Arms, Inc. - Bryan's House
    • Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas
    • Prism Health North Texas
    • Resource Center of Dallas
    • A Sister's Gift
    • Sonya's House
    • Tarrant County Samaritan Housing
    • White Rock Friends

    A special display also showed off outfits and headgear worn by such stars as Madonna, Shania Twain, Chappel Roan, and Zoe Saldaña in music videos, photo shoots, and on the red carpet.

    When the doors of the Lone Star Ballroom were thrown open, guests quickly sought their seats so that the program and three-course dinner could commence.

    Following remarks from the co-chairs and DIFFA Dallas board chair Ken Weber, the lady herself presented the Donna Fishel Community Hero Award to Todd Bacon, pastor of White Rock Community Church and community liaison for White Rock Friends.

    For the last 30 years, White Rock Friends has been committed to the health and well-being of its community, providing hot meals on weekends (one of the first and only in DFW) and running a "general store" that supplies personal care and household cleaning products to those in need.

    Then the DIFFA board of trustees got their moment in the spotlight, with waves of applause for Jacob Samson, Brandon Bell, Rick Castillo, Jonathan Flores, Steve Lopez, Paige Westhoff, Richard Rivas, David Chadd, Jainy Selvakumar, Danny Acevedo, Rhiannon Bolen, Christi Meril, J.R. Shoman, JR Hernandez, and Eric Bright.

    Strutting the runway next were the 2025 DIFFA Dallas Style Council Ambassadors: Ashley Anderson Smith, Sonya Morfor, Bill Moore, Korey Williams, Shelle Carrig, Amy Baumann, Lisa Endicott, Clayton Nabors, Chad Collom, Deborah Bowles, Sonia Simmons, Sierre Tuthill, Kelly Wolfenberger, Kelli Seliger, Danny Cabrera, Steven Hoyl, and Abbe Fenimore.

    DIFFA 2025Booker T. Washington Senior Modeling Luxury Jacket Photo by Danny Campbell

    To introduce the recipient of the Candy Long Excellence in Fashion Award, Erykah Badu surprised the crowd in an oversized hat and floor-length black veil. She revealed the winner to be Swedish-born activist and costume designer B. Åkerlund, who has outfitted some of the world's most iconic artists such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Britney Spears.

    Comedian Dana Goldberg returned as auctioneer, leading both a spirited paddle raise and a bidding race for such elite live-auction packages as a week in Puerto Vallarta, a villa stay in Costa Rica, a South African safari for two, a colorful painting of Dolly Parton titled Born With a Good Heart by Ashley Longshore, an in-home private chef dinner for six, a jaunt to Cortana, Italy, and a romantic Turks & Caicos escape for two.

    This led into the much-anticipated fashion show, which opened with a "Diamonds Are Forever" James Bond tableau and then ran the gamut from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to "Rhinestone Rodeo." At different points, the enraptured audience experienced dancers from Ballet North Texas, live musicians scattered across the T-shaped runway, and pajama-clad phone operators cooing to their callers. It was, as always, an over-the-top night to remember

    DIFFA Dallas' signature fundraising events continue throughout the year, with Burgers & Burgundy set for October 9 and the Holiday Wreath Collection happening in winter. The 2026 House of DIFFA will take place May 9, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

    Since 1984, DIFFA has granted millions of dollars to North Texas HIV/AIDS programs by raising funds through the production of incredible events highlighting the design community. DIFFA is one of the largest and most successful fundraising organizations for HIV/AIDS nonprofit service providers and education programs within Texas, New York, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Washington.

    DIFFA is the only HIV/AIDS organization in Texas that provides non-earmarked funding exclusively to HIV/AIDS service efforts in our communities, thus providing for the direct care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Dallas is DIFFA's largest fundraising chapter. The unique design-focused events DIFFA Dallas holds include Burgers and Burgundy, DIFFA Wreath Celebration, and House of DIFFA.

    DIFFA 2025
      

    Photo by Kelly Alexander

    Gabriella Monte

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