Meri McKillips Lemay, a well respected AQHA, APHA, NSBA, PtHA and PHBA judge, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May. Meri is currently undergoing intense chemotherapy, to be followed by surgery and radiation, which will prevent her from judging for the time being. To allow Meri to focus on her treatment, Premier Paint Sires is putting together a benefit auction to help ease some of the emotional and financial strain.

The benefit auction will be held during the final leg of the 2014 Premier Paint Sires series at the Iowa Paint Breeders Futurity in Des Moines, Iowa on September 20^th and 21^st. “We are expecting a great turnout for this show and our final class for this year,” says Claire Binkowski, who, along with Mike Hachtel, founded Premier Paint Sires.

“One of the most remarkable things about the horse community is the way people will selflessly come together to help one another,” says Binkowski. “Although Premier Paint Sires is a program for APHA stallions and their offspring, the support we have already received for this benefit extends well beyond the scope of this program.”

Donated auction items include:

Breedings to Lazy Loper, Invite The Artist, HBF Iron Man, Joses Real Deal, A Danson Impulse, CR Good Machine, Special Invitation, By Appointment Only, Hes A Cool Hotrod, Born To Be Blazing, Never Compromise, Hesa Special Hotrod, and Good To The Max

Custom drawing from Tina Price

Halt+Rein jewelry from Shannon Fisher

2 ad designs by Holt Advertising

$500 gift certificate towards the purchase of show halter from Roth Show Equipment

Hunt shirts from Boo Yah

Print from Don Bell Cowboy Images

Gift certificate for a pair of custom chaps from Berry Fit

Ad design from Certified Images

Show headstall and spurs from Harris Leather & Silver

“I think anyone who knows Meri, will tell you that she has always been one of the first to step forward and do what she could to help others,” says Binkowski. “Now Premier Paint Sires has an opportunity to use our network and resources to help Meri. We would like to thank those who have already stepped forward and donated items to make this benefit a success and we hope that everyone will join us in supporting an important member of our horse show family in her time of need.”

If you have questions about the benefit auction for Meri or are interested in making a donation please contact Premier Paint Sires at 608-235-4804 or PremierPaintSires@gmail.com.