The momentum is building.
The decoartions are being made. The escorts have been asked and their tuxes are ready. The Dads are prepared for this milestone in the lives of their little girls.
At least I think they are. I remember the song played at my own Father - Daughter dance at Hutchison when I was in high school many years ago.
Is this the little girl I carried?
is this the little girl I knew
I don't remember growing older
when did you? - from Gigi
What is this event you ask?
The 2014 Germantown Charity Horse Show Ball takes place this Friday night! Twenty-one girls will represent various community organizations as their show princesses.
There will even be a queen.
The Germantowon Charity Horse Show is one of the oldest and venerable horse shows in the nation and one of the few truly "charity" shows left.
The Oak Grove Hunt was the genesis for the founding of our horse show. On Thanksgiving Day in 1946 seventy five people and horses turned out for a barbecue at Germantown School. The rest as they say is history.
In its 66th year the horse show has built a long and storied tradition of heritage and community dedication of which the community is extremely proud.
My daughter Liza has ridden horses all her life and has competed at the show. Each year she has watched the princesses in their pretty gowns volunteering.
She has long dreamed of playing that role herself. This year she will represent Pegasus Women's Club as their princess.
Liza and Trumpet
Both 11 years old!
The United States Equestrian Federation has deemed the Germantown charity horse show a "heritage show".
Only sixteen shows in the nation have this honor. We are in good company with esteemed shows such as Devon, the Upperville Colt and Pony show and the very prestigious Warrenton Show.
The criteria for this distinction according to the USEF is as folows:
"The Heritage Competition is reserved for competitions that have been established for a long period of time and have made substantial contribution toward the development and promotion of the sport, both within the broader community, by achieving, maintaining and promoting the equestrian ideals of the sportsmanship and competition."
Each year in June the blue and white striped tents provide stalls for the over 800 horses that come from all over the region.
It is a wholesome outdoor event for children and adults.
The proceeds raised goes directly to Memphis children in need due to domestic violence.
LIza and Trumpet in Gulfport, Ms.
The show itself is mostly a lot of fun.
The riders all turn out in thier equestrian best with their mounts squeaky clean, manes and tails braided, ready to compete. They are all ages and come from all over.
They flood the area economy.
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| Liza and Lead liner Hayley Floyd 2013 |
Woodland Country Club will be the location for twenty one girls to be be presented as the horse show princesses along with their Queen.
It is not all tiara's and ballgowns however. The girls are required to do many community hours of community service at various non profits as well as be available at the show every day all day.
The Exchange Club of Memphis is one of the charities where the girls will be working.
During the horse show they will be "all hands on deck" performing various duties assigned to them such as handing out trophies and ribbons.
Several girls will also be exhibitors.
I will be rearranging my painting schedule to help my daughter get ready for the ball.
OIl Painting of Trumpet and Liza
My little baby girl has always been a princess to me.
Now she is all grown up. She will be a dazzling and different kind of princess in a gown at the ball for a night!
It's the stuff those dreams are made of!
