Saddle Up
Charitable ladies kick back in silk scarves and boots to benefit the good workof Equest
Photo by Dana Driensky
Photo by Dana Driensky
Photo by Dana Driensky
Photo by Dana Driensky
Photo by Dana Driensky
Photo by Dana Driensky
Photo by Dana Driensky
Our city’s social butterflies know that country clubs are not just for golf games and fancy dinners. Brook Hollow Golf Club often hosts some of the greatest fundraisers, including this year’s Unbridled Hope Equest Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon and Style Show.
Ladies sat down to enjoy a style show produced by Jan Strimple, with clothing from retailers at Highland Park Village. But first they heard from Women’s Auxiliary president and one of this year's Crystal Charity Ball's Ten Best Dressed ladies, Kim Miller, who welcomed mother-daughter duo and event chairs Prissy Gravely and Cara French to the stage.
The two presented a gift to the McGraw ladies: Helen McGraw and her daughter Lee McGraw Dansby and Helen’s daughters-in-law, Monica and Tara. But it was actually a hot model dressed in jockey gear who handed the Tiffany box to the ladies. The crowd was all giggles as one of the Mcgraws said, “Do I get the rider too?”
But, in all seriousness, Gravely called the ladies “angels of Equest,” because of their “unbridled” support.
French reminded attendees to shop HP Village — for that day, when you shopped at participating stores, 15 percent was donated back to Equest — and Louise Griffeth, a founder of the Women’s Auxiliary, presented Karen Shuttee with the community service award.
An inspiring video about Equest's efforts to better the lives of children through horsemanship therapy programs — as well as a mournful note from Equest director of development Linda Milton, who relayed the news thata young devoted member, Johnathan Wentz, had recently passed — put it all in perspective for guests.
Strimple's show lifted the spirits of the crowd with looks from Escada, Anne Fontaine, Billy Reid, Jimmy Choo, Trina Turk, Lela Rose, Tory Burch and Carolina Herrera. The best part? Friends of the chairs’ children, sporting fashions from Stella McCartney Kids, sashayed down the runway.
The crowd — including Lisa Ogle, Nancy Rogers, Tammy Williams, Sunie Solomon, Tiffany Divis, Vicki Howland, Elisa Summers, Heather Washburn, Kristi Hoyl, Peggy Sewel, Jacquelin Taylor, Libby Hunt and Sharon McCullough — roared in adoration when Key Coker (son of Katherine) strutted his stuff with some serious attitude.
After the fashion show, guests lunched on an elegant meal and finished their bidding on fabulous auction items, including jewels from William Noble.
