LEXINGTON, KY - During April a number of local companies will also be in the business of helping horses in need. From happy hours to hair cuts, they will be holding a variety of fundraisers at their locations, all part of the third annual John Henry Memorial Adoption Fair.
The fair's thoroughbred namesake was a thrilling, rags-to-riches two-time "Horse of the Year" who overcame a host of odds, including less than stellar breeding, to earn more than $6.5 million before retiring to the Kentucky Horse Park. John Henry was euthanized in 2007 at the age of 32.
Recognizing that not all horses in Kentucky enjoy the well fed and sheltered lives of high priced thoroughbreds, The Kentucky Horse Council partners with the Kentucky Horse Park to host this annual event connecting interested adoptees, volunteers, and donors with rescue organizations. Rescuers say the down economy has left them with record numbers of animals in need of help.
Proceeds from the Adoption Fair support the SoHo (Save Our Horses) fund. SoHo funds support the Equine Safety Net, which feeds horses for a month when the owner has had an unexpected loss of job, or a medical emergency that reduces their income; and the Kentucky Large Animal Emergency Rescue, a volunteer effort which rescues horses who have been involved in trailer accidents, fall into ravines, get stuck in mud, and other emergency situations.
The fund also provides Livestock Investigation education for Animal Control Agencies and local county officials; financial support for feeding Kentucky horses and providing veterinarian care when they are confiscated by county officials; financial support for the Geld Voucher Program; and efforts to find second careers for horses unable to fulfill the purpose for which they were bred.
All equine rescue organizations are invited to attend the fair and display a booth at no cost.
Last year's Adoption Fair gave 27 horses from nine different rescue agencies the chance to find new homes. Essie Rogers, Director of Education & Welfare for the Kentucky Horse Council, said that this year's Fair would have at least that many, if not more, horses available for adoption.
The Fair will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park on Saturday, April 17, from 11:15am to 5 p.m.. Members of the public and prospective owners will be able to view the horses in their stalls as well as in two sessions as they move around the park's new indoor arena.
Among this year's lineup of participating business owners is Jonathan Lundy, chef and owner of Jonathan at Gratz Park. From April 1-17 Lundy and the staff at his restaurant will be involved in "Happy Hour for Horses," a fundraiser for the Kentucky Horse Council's Save Our Horses (SoHo) Fund, held in conjunction with the John Henry Memorial Equine Adoption Fair.
"We're glad to help. The cause is good, and it's a win-win situation for everyone," said Lundy, who has contributed to the John Henry Fair in previous years.
Lundy has come up with a unique fundraising option for his restaurant. Starting on April 1, just as Derby fever begins spreading across the Bluegrass, customers at Jonathan's can order a very special premium Mint Julep, made from 12 year old Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon.
This "upscale Mint Julep," will be prepared according to the recipe in the upcoming second edition of Lundy's cookbook and served in a silverplated julep cup. Lundy said that "a generous amount of the proceeds" from each of these special Mint Juleps will be donated to the SoHo Fund.
Buster's, Mia's, and a number of other local restaurants and bars will be participating in the "Happy Hour for Horses" fundraiser in different ways. Most will donate a percentage of their sales on April 16 and 17 and/or other dates. Others will display jars to collect donations from patrons in the days leading up to April 17.
The Winners Circle hair and beauty salon has such a donation jar (labeled "Pennies for Ponies"). Clients started dropping contributions into it as soon as skin care specialist Jenn Davis set it up.
Co-owners Tara Salah Eldin and Susan Walls have designated Monday, April 12 as the day that three hairdressers, a nail technician, and a skin care specialist at the salon will donate to the horses all proceeds from the services they will offer.
From 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. only, walk in customers can have hair cuts for $20, eyebrow waxes for $15, and nail polish changes for $11. Salah Eldin said the staff selected services that don't take long so that customers won't have to wait more than a few minutes.
"Susan has a lifelong love of horses and we have a lot of clientele in the horse business," she added. "We like to be involved in the community in causes that we believe in."
The KHC's Essie Rogers said her organization has been especially busy helping horses with SoHo funds in the last two years. "We've fed more than 450 horses and trained 74 officers and 60-plus veterinarians," she said.
"Since July, 2009, we've also issued geld vouchers for 38 colts and stallions."
Acknowledging the difficult financial times for both businesses and individuals, Ginny Grulke, Director of the Kentucky Horse Council, said, "It never ceases to amaze us how generous individuals are in helping the unwanted horse, whether by donating to the KHC SoHo fund, volunteering to transport a rescued horse to its new home, or donating hay to a hay bank."
Business owners interested in holding mini fundraisers to help horses in need should call Cindy Rullman at the Kentucky Horse Park, 859-259-4209.
More information about the John Henry Memorial Adoption Fair can be found online at http://www.kentuckyhorse.org/adoption-fair.