2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show Benefits Habitat For Horses

Tyler, TX – October 9, 2009 – The Dallas Harvest Horse Show raised over $34,000 to benefit Habitat for Horses in the 2008 season, and this year the competition will, once again, raise money for this excellent organization. The 2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show will return to the beautiful Texas Rose Horse Park in Tyler, TX, the week of October 28-November 1, 2009.

The Dallas Harvest Horse Show is an active supporter of Habitat for Horses and is one of the largest fundraisers for the program. Habitat for Horses has been in operation for the past 11 years fulfilling its mission to assist distressed horses and provide a safe and secure home while rehabilitating them for adoption.

Habitat for Horses is one of the largest equine protection organizations in the country, with supporters in every state and around the country. While their main facilities are in Texas, Habitat has foster homes and adopted horses throughout the United States. With hundreds of active volunteers, Habitat for Horses maintains an extensive network of foster homes that devote much of their lives to the rehabilitation and retraining of the horses that come into their care.

John and Louise Gammage are two very active members of the Habitat for Horses organization as well as great supporters of the Dallas Harvest Horse Show. The Gammages moved to Houston in 2001, after living in the United Kingdom for 23 years, and bought a small horse farm in the area. After attending a local horse auction one night the Gammages were mortified at what they saw and vowed to do what they could to help. “I had never seen such widespread neglect and abuse,” Louise Gammage stated. “From there we bought 100 acres on the ‘other side of town,’ moved in lock stock and barrel, and became members of Habitat For Horses.”

“It now pretty much consumes my whole life, and I would not change that for anything,” Louise continued. “Thank goodness for a very generous and caring husband. We have adopted two horses; one was an unexpected surprise, born in the pasture to a blind foster. We now have five fosters and four sanctuary horses and we will be taking two of our horses to the show. I have made compilation movies of these two and hope they get adopted to the fabulous home they deserve.”

The Gammages attended the Dallas Harvest Horse Show last year for just two days and plan to be there for the whole show this year. “The venue is very nice, and everyone is friendly and working hard to make it a success and it shows!” Louise smiled. “We are quite proud that Habitat for Horses is supported by the Dallas Harvest Show, and hopefully by working together we can raise awareness.”

Every year Habitat completes hundreds of investigations and touches the lives of thousands of horses. Since their main emphasis is the education of the owner, Habitat is able to successfully complete most of those investigations. When required, they also assist law enforcement in taking the case through the court system and placing the horses in foster homes.

Habitat works hand-in-hand with law enforcement to uphold all animal cruelty laws and seek justice for those who mistreat horses. Through the wonderful employees and volunteers of the organization, Habitat for Horses has created and implemented educational outreach programs. Their facility creates a sanctuary for horses that are available for adoption, foster, and retirement.

Habitat is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and well-being of all horses. Without the help of the public, this program would not continue, and the money raised by the Dallas Harvest Horse Show, along with donations and volunteers, help keep Habitat for Horses in operation.

The most prestigious ‘AA’ rated horse show in Texas, The Dallas Harvest Horse Show is sanctioned and recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation, rated ‘AA’ in hunters and three star in jumpers. The show is also ‘A’ rated through its affiliation with the Texas Hunter Jumper Association. The 2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show competition highlights include Thursday’s $3,000 Nordic Lights Welcome Stake; Friday’s $5,000 Jumper Classic, and the $10,000 2009/2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby beginning at 4:00 p.m.; Saturday’s Halloween Spooktacular featuring Horse and Rider Costume Contest & Parade, Spookiest Barn Contest & Trick or Treat Extravaganza, Habitat Horse Decorating Contest & Parade; and Sunday’s EMO Equitation Cup Year-End Final, $2,500 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic, and $25,000 Harvest Grand Prix benefiting Habitat for Horses.

For more information on the 2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show, please visit www.southboundsshows.com .

For more information on Habitat for Horses please visit www.habitatforhorses.org or call 1-866-434-5737.

Habitat for Horses

Photo Credit: The 2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show benefits Habitat for Horses, one of the largest equine protection organizations in the country. Photo C 2008 Lauren Fisher/PMG. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.

2009 Dallas Harvest Horse Show Fast Facts

EVENT: Dallas Harvest Horse Show, with classes that benefit Habitat for Horses

WHAT: The most prestigious ‘AA’ rated horse show in Texas. Sanctioned and recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation, Rated ‘AA’ in hunters and three star in jumpers; Texas Hunter Jumper Association ‘A’ Rated. Judges:Linda Andrisani, Rob Bielefeld, Carl Hansen, Mike Lowry, and Lewis Pack.

WHERE: Texas Rose Horse Park; 14078 South Highway 110 North, Tyler, Texas 75704

WHEN: October 28 – November 1, 2009

HIGHLIGHTS: The Dallas Harvest Horse Show benefits Habitat for Horses, and is one of the largest fundraisers for the program.

THURSDAY: $3,000 Welcome Stake Sponsored by Nordic Lights Farm & The Bruheim Family

FRIDAY: $5,000 Jumper Classic $10,000 2009/2010 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby (4:00 p.m.)

SATURDAY: Halloween Spooktacular featuring: Horse & Rider Costume Contest & Parade, Spookiest Barn Contest & Trick or Treat Extravaganza, Habitat Horse Decorating Contest & Parade “Team” Calcutta, Exhibitor Dinner & Silent Auction Benefiting Habitat for Horses (6:30 p.m.)

SUNDAY: EMO Equitation Cup Year-End Final $25,000 Harvest Grand Prix benefiting Habitat for Horses $2,500 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic

Dallas Harvest Horse Show is known for its great hospitality, friendly ambiance and top competition. In addition to great classes there will be many exhibitor parties, including the Hunter Derby Benefit Reception, Saturday Evening Dinner & “Team Calcutta”, Sunday Grand Prix Brunch, a silent auction and a chance to get “up close and personal” with a special group of Habitat Horses. Southbound Show Management and The Dallas Harvest Horse Show have also been selected as the presenting horse show for the 2009 South Central Region Year End World Champion Hunter Rider Awards.

ADMISSION: Free for spectators.

PARKING: Convenient on site parking.

VIP SEATING: Tables and tickets for the Hunter Derby Reception are available. Tables of eight for the hunter derby reception are available at $500 per table for priority front row seating or at $400 per table. Tickets for the hunter derby reception are available at $50 each and elevated tickets are available at only $20 per ticket. Seating is limited. You can include a separate check with your entries, payable to Southbound Show Management, and send to Southbound Show Management, 785 W. Jester Rd., Argyle, TX 76226.

DIRECTIONS: From the east (Shreveport area) take the I-20 west to the Van/Tyler, Highway 110 (exit #548). Turn left/south. Go approximately one mile. The equestrian center is on the left.

>From the west (Dallas area) take the I-20 east to the Van/Tyler, Highway 110 (exit #548). Turn left/south. Go approximately one mile. The equestrian center is on the left.

>From the South (Houston area) take US 287 north to TX-155 towards Tyler. At FM-2661 turn left. Turn left onto TX-64, right on to CR-413, then left at FM-724. Follow FM-724 to CR-42 and turn right. At TX-110 turn left. The equestrian center is on the right.

>From the south (San Antonio area) take I-35 north to US-84, turn right. Follow US-84 to TX-31, turn right. At FM-314 take a left, then right on to FM-279, then left on to FM-314, then right on to CR-4906. At CR-4907 turn left to a turn right on to CR-4908 (This road turns into CR-426). At CR-422 take a right, then right on to FM-1955 and right on to TX-110. The equestrian center is on the right.

THE CHARITY: The Dallas Harvest Horse Show is a very active supporter and contributor to Habitat for Horses. This charity has been in operation for the past 11 years. Habitat for Horses is an instrumental organization that saves distressed horses and provides a safe and secure home while rehabilitating them for adoption. Habitat for Horses is the largest equine protection organization in the country.

Habitat works hand-in-hand with law enforcement to uphold all animal cruelty laws and seek justice for those who mistreat horses. Through the wonderful employees and volunteers of the organization, Habitat for Horses has created and implemented educational outreach programs. Their facility creates a sanctuary for horses that are available for adoption, foster, and retirement.

Habitat is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and well-being of all horses. Without the help of the public, this program would not continue. Donations and volunteers help keep Habitat for Horses in operation. For more information, please contact Habitat for Horses at 1-866-434-5737.

CONTACT: Southbound Show Management Tyler, TX 76226 940-240-1207 (phone) [email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT: Phelps Media Group, Inc. 12230 Forest Hill Boulevard Suite 214 Wellington, FL 33414 561-753-3389 (phone) 561-753-3386 (fax) [email protected] www.phelpsmediagroup.com