Sagamore Farms played host to the inaugural Kids For Wishes Invitational Hunter Derby held this past Friday in Wellington, Florida benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of South Florida and generating nearly $9,000.00 for the local charity.

The brainchild of Linda Smith-Faver of Happy Endings Farm, Debbie Dolan-Sweeney and acclaimed hunter derby course designer, Brian Brown; the three conjured the event as a season-ending celebration of the Wellington show season.

Said Smith-Faver, “The Sweeney triplets have a birthday in the early spring and instead of having a traditional birthday celebration, we thought it would be fun to create an invitational hunter derby with a charity component.”

The invitational featured a Children’s Hunter Derby with a section for large ponies and a second section for small and medium ponies as well as a Short Stirrup Derby with a stunning course set by Brown. Judges for event included Holly Bossert, Rachel Kennedy and George Wallace with course design and announcing by Lewis Pack.

In addition, the event included a grand hospitality tent with colorful basket centerpieces brimming with apples and carrots, spring themed tablecloths, and refreshments for spectators and exhibitors.

Ideal One, owned by Happy Endings Farm and ridden by Olivia Oliver and Helen Sweeney aboard Taschereau were the Children’s Hunter Champions and Isabel Szarfarc with Freeport and Tyler Cawley and Very Berry tied in the Short Stirrup.

A highlight of the day was the presentation of a check made out to Make-A-Wish for $8,500.00 by all exhibitors, beautiful ribbons awarded, participation trophies and key chains donning the name and date of the event and the victory gallop of all participants around the field. Horse show mom Jane Brown summarized the day perfectly by saying, “It was a beautiful afternoon and a wonderful experience for riding and giving.”

Brian Brown echoed the sentiments by saying, “It was a honor to have this opportunity. The way I looked at it was kids, plus ponies, plus raising money for such a great cause equals AN INCREDIBLE EVENT!”

Sponsors included: Open Minds Academy, The Paisley Magazine, Richard M. Faver Equine Quarantine, Sagamore Farms, Kate Stoffel Oliver and Ann K Hubbard Tack Shop.

About Make-A-Wish South Florida

Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the United States and its territories, on average, every 38 minutes. A wish provides a much-needed escape for a child facing a life-threatening medical condition. It transports them from a world of doctors and hospitals to a world of carefree fun and excitement.

About Happy Endings Farm

Happy Endings Farm, piloted by owner and trainer Linda Smith has a number or riders, horses and ponies competing in divisions ranging from Short Stirrup to the Adult Amateur Hunters throughout the Winter Equestrian Festival season. From there, the close-knit team will travel north for the summer shows. To stay up-to-date with Linda Smith-Faver and Happy Endings Farm, follow them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/HappyEndingsFarm?ref=ts&fref=ts. You can also visit their web site at http://www.happyendingsfarm.com/.