February 13, 2012
Cowboy Wishes and Tetrathlon Dreams

By Sarah Dodge for Sean O’Keefe Events

The New York Giants weren’t the only winners on the evening of February 5th, 2012. We head south to the beautiful land of West Palm Beach, Florida where a different kind of winner emerged from a very different kind of playing field. The playing field was a professionally set jumping course in a standard competition dressage arena surrounded by checkerboard of hay and straw designed by Pierre Jolicoeur. The evening’s grand winner was the Equestrian Aid Foundation, a non-profit organization who year after year graciously supports equine professionals suffering from catastrophic illness or injury. The second annual fundraising Tetrathlon event helped to raise awareness and much needed money to support this nonprofit organization that continuously aids horse people when life throws them a few unwanted lemons. The EAF helps to give equine professionals a leg up, or shall we say, make a little lemonade.

The evening was fit for cowboys, Giants, and even a few Patriots alike as the community of Wellington, Florida certainly arrived in style ready to support this worthy cause. With a competitive and exhilarating silent auction, delicious food provided by local restaurants, sassy Tito’s HANDMADE vodka drinks, and even a jail outfitted with hunky sheriffs guarding the door to throw your best friend into, everyone involved came out a winner. While the Superbowl aired at the Port-a-Party XLVI Saloon, the tetrathlon events took the main stage. With the help of a few beautiful horses, and their even more beautiful riders, party goers were treated to a great discipline switch. Competitions in reigning, dressage, show jumping, and a thrilling polo match joined together to round the evening out and give guests a fascinating show. Competitors skilled in all four areas were asked to participate in an activity that wasn’t quite their area of expertise. Let’s just say the competitors and the crowd alike joined in good fun and certainly got a good show. The evening also saw a surprise visit from a Giants player who just so happens to also be a dressage competitor. A few unruly Giants fans joined in for the fun! With fantastic food, celebratory style cocktails, and the best company anyone could ask for, the night is sure to leave a lasting impression on the Wellington equine community.

Sean O’Keefe Events has done it again. From beginning to end, The SOE team put their heart and soul into this event to make it beautiful and eventful. Through forging the vision put forth by Scott and Sheryl at EAF with the event expertise of SOE, a night to remember resulted. It’s also important to note the amazing help of the fabulous volunteers that were there from beginning to end. The horse community is certainly a loving and unique community, and these events would simply not be as special without these amazing souls. This event not only completed the goal of raising funds, but also raised awareness for a very special and unique nonprofit organization. Thank you to everyone who came out and shared their time, their money, and their good cheer.

I’m already looking forward to next year, and I hope you are too. If you’re wanting more, stay tuned for more images from the event on the website as well as on our Facebook page at facebook.com/seanokeefeevents.