2014 PRESS

CHICAGO HUNTER DERBY

C h i c a g o E q u e s t r i a n s F o r A C a u s e . c o m

RECORDAMOUNTRAISED

2014CHICAGO HUNTER DERBY

NEARLY$150,000

BENEFITTING 3 CHARITIES

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The Chicago Hunter Derby Announces Judges Panel for 2014

Antioch, IL - May 26, 2014 - The Chicago Hunter Derby presented by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is pleased to announce the judges panel for this year’s derby to be held September 5 -7th, 2014 at the beautiful Annali-Brookwood Farm in Antioch, IL. The prestigious derby is now in its sixth year of producing one of the best stand-alone derby events in the country while raising money for local charities. The event features a $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Canadian Pacific and a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. This year the proceeds from the event will benefit three charities; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation and The United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation. In 2013, The Chicago Hunter Derby raised $150,000 for its charities and has contributed over $400,000 to local charities since its inception.

The Chicago Hunter Derby is pleased to have four excellent horsemen, Jeff Wirthman, Julie Winkel, Ken Smith and Holly Orlando as this year’s distinguished panel of judges.

Jeff Wirthman of Wellington, FL, is a USEF “R” Judge who has judged almost every major horse show and medal finals in the country. He has trained many top riders and collected numerous Horse of the Year awards for the quality horses he produces.

“The Chicago Hunter Derby is one of the premier stand-alone derbies and I’m really looking forward to judging it,” said Wirthman.

The hunter derbies are now offering more prize money for hunters and creating events with larger numbers of spectators. The USHJA now offers a $100,000 Derby Finals plus bonus money and the HITS series offers a $500,000 and $250,000 Derby Finals.

Wirthman continued, “These stand alone derbies are doing just what they are supposed to be doing - bringing up the industry with more prize money and horses that are able to just go in the ring and get a score of 90 without showing in a division. The derbies attract riders that know their horses well and are confident they will just jump around a difficult course.”

The Chicago Hunter Derby draws top horses and riders from around the country such as Jennifer Alfano and Jer-sey Boy, three-time winner of the Chicago Hunter Derby and winner of the 2012 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. Photo: Chicago Equestrian.

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The Chicago Hunter Derby Welcomes Sapphire Riding

Academy as Sponsor

+Antioch, IL – July 15, 2014 – The Chicago Hunter Derby, present-ed by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, is gearing up for this premier event September 5-7, 2014 at the beautiful Annali-Brookwood Farm in Antioch, IL. The headline event is Sunday’s $50,000 USHJA Interna-tional Hunter Derby, sponsored by Canadian Pacific and Saturday’s highlight is the $5,000 National Hunter Derby generously sponsored by a new sponsor, Sapphire Riding Academy of Mettawa, IL. “We welcome Sapphire Riding Academy as this year’s 2014 National Hunter Derby sponsor,” stated Chicago Equestrians for a Cause Pres-ident, Caroline Weeden. “We are very grateful and appreciative for their support of this great event that benefits such deserving charities.”

Sapphire Riding Academy is a full service training facility with an expe-rienced staff and on-site management overseeing all operations. With seasoned trainer Doug Boyd at the helm, Sapphire Riding Academy recently purchased the beautiful facility on Little St. Mary’s Road, complete with a large outdoor riding arena, heated indoor arena, all-weather and grass paddocks, luxurious tack room and viewing lounge. Boyd is one of the many professionals supporting The Chicago Hunter Derby.

“I really like what the derby does for the sport,” added Boyd. “We sometimes get trapped in the four walls of the sand ring and Rush and Carl {Weeden} along with Lynn Jayne, make it a very special event. With Bobby Murphy designing the courses, it’s the best derby I’ve seen.” Boyd has been training horses and riders for over thirty years with experience in all facets of the business. He has nearly 100 awards to his name including Horse of the Year National Champions, Reserve Champions and Medal Finalists. He works with riders of all ages - beginning through advanced and regularly travels with his clients to A-rated shows throughout the country. The prestigious derby is now in its sixth year of producing one of the best stand-alone derby events in the country while raising money for local charities. This year the proceeds from the event will benefit three charities; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation and The United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation. In 2013, The Chicago Hunter Derby raised $150,000 for its charities and has contributed over $400,000 to local charities since its inception.

I love the venue and the way they run it,” said Boyd. “They bring back the traditional splendor of the sport.

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Land Rover Presents the Derby After Dark Party at 2014 Chicago Hunter Derby

Antioch, IL – July 30, 2014 – Land Rover Lake Bluff proudly presents the Derby After Dark Party at the 2014 Chicago Hunter Derby presented by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, September 5-7, 2014. The party will take place Saturday night after a full day of exciting competition, which includes the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Sapphire Riding Academy and the first round of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Canadian Pacific.

The prestigious Chicago Hunter Derby at Annali-Brookwood Farm in Antioch, was created by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause to showcase high-level equestrian events with the express purpose of raising funds for selected charities in the Chicago area. This year, three charities will benefit from the event: Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, The United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation and the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation. The event has raised over $400,000 for local charities in its five-year history.

After rave reviews from last year’s Derby After Dark Party, Land Rover Lake Bluff invites you to an evening which includes a fajita bar by Paramount Events, bourbon cocktails by Angels Envy, beer and wine by Constellation Brands and back by popular demand, the band blitzFM. The band boasts a collection of some of the most talented musicians in Chicago, who take time from their professional bands to get together for a few performances a year. From Bowie to Adele and from the Pretenders to Daft Punk, blitzFM plays a wide range of songs, drawing from four decades of great music that will have everyone dancing into the night.

BlitzFM Founder Matt Walker, the former Smashing Pumpkins’ and current Morrissey drummer, welcomes, as a special guest star, singer and musician, Scott Bennett, of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys. The party will begin at approximately 5:00 pm after the competition.

Tickets are now available to purchase for Sunday’s event for the final round of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The admis-sion includes a delicious Champagne Brunch, children’s activities sponsored by Rice Dairy, Vendor Row shopping and the Children’s Horseless Horse Show. Gates open at 10:30 am and competition begins at 1:00 pm.

Tickets are $275 per seat, $75 for children or $2,500 for a Blue Ribbon Table for 10, $5,000 for a front row Champion Table, and $10,000 for a Grand Champion Table front and center. Tickets are tax deductible and net proceeds benefit the charitable organizations. Click here to purchase tickets for Sunday, September 7, 2014.

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Chicago Hunter Derby and Horse & Style Magazine

Partner Up

+Antioch, IL – August 26, 2014 – The prestigious 2014 Chicago Hunter Derby at Annali-Brookwood Farm, held September 5-7, 2014, is one of the most elaborate events of its kind, hosting top riders and horses from around the country and benefitting local charities in the process. The event is presented by Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, a non-profit organization producing high-level equestrian events and raising funds for local charities. This year’s charities include Ann & Rob-ert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, The United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation and the University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation.

The Chicago Hunter Derby is proud to announce it’s media partnership with Horse & Style Magazine for 2014.

“Horse & Style is thrilled to partner with the Chicago Hunter Derby, an event that showcases the true elements of the hunter discipline that so often fall by the wayside in today’s world. The Chicago Hunter Derby creates a stand alone event that represents the classic elements of hunters that Horse & Style is proud to stand behind,” said Erin Gilmore, editor of Horse and Style (H&S). The H&S team travels the world to cover horse shows and events, rid-ers and trainers, and equestrian style and fashion. The magazine was created to bring equestrian style and the horse world together with a unique focus on horses and fashion. Horse & Style will feature article on the Chicago Hunter Derby in their October/November issue.

Horse & Style joins media partners Phelps Media Group International and ChicagoEquestrian.com.

Besides the renowned derby itself, the event hosts a tent full of horse enthusiasts who come to support the event and the charities. WGN’s Dina Bair will be the emcee inside the tent for Sunday’s big day. The event offers the complete derby atmosphere for both spectators and riders. Spectators can enjoy shopping, delicious food, fantastic bever-ages, children’s activities sponsored by Rice Dairy and the Children’s Horseless Horse Show.

Stylish shopping opportunities include vendors with the latest in equestrian fashion and design. Some vendors are offering special donations to the charities for every purchase so please shop away!

Mountain Hides is one of those vendors offering a charity special. They will be donating $100 to Chicago Equestrians for a Cause for ev-ery purchase of their signature suede wraps. The company is a luxury leatherwear and accessory line founded by Jodi Henderson & Laura Schoch, two local stylists.

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Chicago Hunter Derby Score 90 Challenge

Antioch, IL – September 3, 2014 – You’ve heard of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, now here’s the Chicago Hunter Derby Score 90 Chal-lenge and you won’t even get wet! The Score 90 Challenge is asking barns, businesses, organizations or groups of individuals to pledge a dollar amount for every score of 90 or above given to any horse and rider combination during the Chicago Hunter Derby’s National Hunter Derby or International Hunter Derby on September 6th and 7th. Each time a horse scores a 90 or above, a bell will ring signaling more money for the charities! Facebook will keep tabs all weekend on the donations, the pledges and the horses that helped earn money for the charities. Any amount will help so pledge what you can and join the Score 90 Challenge, then root for your favorite horses to score 90! Get your group together and feel free to make a Facebook video like Diane Carney and Lynn Jayne’s Our Day Farm have so far! Challenge your friends to do the same and have fun with it during the derby and help raise funds for these worthy charities! Facebook the Chicago Hunter Derby or Chicago Equestrian with your pledge and/or your video.the night.

The Chicago Hunter Derby is this weekend, September 5-7, 2014 at An-nali-Brookwood Farm in Antioch, IL. The Derby benefits three charities; the USHJA Fondation, University of Chicago Cancer Research Founda-tion and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

Tickets can be purchased at www.ChicagoEquestriansforaCause.com for Sunday’s final round of the $50,000 International Hunter Derby, sponsored by Canadian Pacific. Friday and Saturday events are open to the public for a suggested do-nation of $25 at the door. Friday, September 5th, features the $7,500 International Derby Welcome Stake at 10:30 am and the National Derby Welcome Stake at 1:30 pm. Lane Change Farm and Kensel, LLC sponsor both events. Saturday, September 6th, features the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby sponsored by Sapphire Riding Academy at 10:00 am. Lunch will be served at noon, with the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby sponsored by Canadian Pacific at 2:30 pm. The fantastic Derby After Dark Party follows the conclusion of the day’s competition.

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You and Me This Morning WCIU : Chicago Hunter Derby

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Fox 32 Chicago News:Equestrian Fall Fashion

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Chicago Hunter Derby this weekend

September 5, 2014 – The Hunter Derby. An event steeped in tradition. A recreation of days on the fox hunt. Transformed here in the Chicago area into a major US competition.

Caroline Weeden and Lynn Jayne are the founders of Chicago Equestrians for a Cause, the organization which launched the Chicago Hunters Derby 6 years ago. Proceeds from this three day event go to Lurie Children’s Hospital, University of Chicago cancer research, and the US Hunter Jumper Association.

The derby will feature junior, amateur, and pro riders from all over the U.S..and will likely raise $200,000 or more for charity.

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Tammy Provost and Kallisto Win the Chicago Hunter Der-by’s $50,000 USHJA International Hunter DerbySeptember 8, 2014 – The $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby is the highlight of the 2014 Chicago Hunter Derby at Anna-li-Brookwood Farm, showcasing top horses and riders from across the country while raising funds for charities. The Chicago Hunter Derby is a unique stand-alone event, currently offering more prize money than any other competition of it’s kind. The derby weekend is also one of the few derbies held in a grass field, imitating the days of fox hunting.

This spectacular production would not be possible without the generous sponsorship of Canadian Pacific. Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Wally Sieruga, General Manager of Operations from CP, was on hand to present awards to the top twelve horse and rider combinations.

In addition to the derby competition, activities of all kinds were taking place to raise funds for three charities, the United States Hunter Jumper Association Foundation (USHJAF), University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation and Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hos-pital of Chicago. Chicago Equestrians for a Cause is the organization responsible for organizing the event and raising over $400,000 to date for the charities.

Special activities included raffles, silent auction items and a Calcutta, which is where horses and riders are grouped into teams and auc-tioned to the highest bidder. The lucky bidder, who had the winning horse on their team, won half of the combined dollar amount from all the teams with the other half going to charity.

The Score 90 Challenge, a new fundraiser for the derby this year, made use of a Canadian Pacific railway bell. The bell is a family heirloom of the farm owners, Rush and Caroline Weeden. The Score 90 Challenge invited barns, businesses and groups of individuals to pledge a dollar amount for every score of 90 or above issued by the judges. When a qualifying score came in, the railway bell chimed signaling more funds raised for the charities. The crowd caught on as the top riders toward the end of the class tried to out due each other, racking up seven scores of 90 or better with the crowd cheering them on then holding their breath waiting for the scores. The Score 90 Challenge raised close to $9,000.

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Molise PR joins Michelle Durpetti Events at Chicago Hunter DerbySeptember 15, 2014 – Our top Chicago PR firm worked with Michelle Durpetti Events to represent the Chicago Hunter Derby on September 5-7, 2014. This annual event returned to the picturesque Annali-Brookewood Farm this year in Antioch, IL. This was a great opportunity for individu-als, and businesses to enjoy a weekend in the country, and watch some of the greatest hunter competition in the nation. All of the proceeds from The Chicago Hunter Derby went towards Lurie Children’s Hospital, University of Chicago Cancer Research, and the US Hunter Jumper Association. In the previous years, The Chicago Hunter Derby has raised over $400,000 for various charities. They are able to raise this much money not just from the derby, but various activities outside of the derby. These activities consisted of raffles, a Calcutta, and silent auc-tion items. The winner of the Calcutta won half of the prize money, and the rest went towards charity. This year, the winner of the Chicago Hunter Derby and $50,000 was Tammy Provost with Kallisto scoring 375.5 points. Kallisto is a 13-year-old talented Belgium warmblood horse owned by Kim Calamos. Provost also won the $7,500 Welcome Stake class on Friday with Libretto, owned by Alliy Moyer. Provost has attended the Chicago Hunter Derby every year now, and was ecstatic about her winnings. Not far behind Provost in second place was Caroline Weeden with The Spy, and they scored a total of 374 points. In third place was Tammy Provovvst, but this time with Santerno, scoring 370 points. Overall, the Chicago Hunter derby was very close in points between the first three riders.

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2014 Chicago Hunter Derby

Activity ReportProvided by Molise PR

Total Broadcast Publicity Value: $71,350

WGN Morning News, Around Town Segment: Wednesday, September 3Audience: 476,446 Publicity Value: $33,280

FOX Good Day Chicago: Thursday, September 4Audience: 39,488 Publicity Value: $4,920

WCIU You & Me This Morning: Thursday, September 4Audience: 11,778 Publicity Value: $4,500

WGN TV News at 5PM: Friday, September 5Audience: 46,580 Publicity Value: $28,650

Print & Online:

Michigan Avenue Magazine: Charity RegistryPrint Readership: 65,134

CS Modern Luxury Magazine, Special Edition 20th Anniversary Issue: Calendar ListingPrint Readership: 79,570

Lake County News-Sun, a Chicago Sun-Times Publication: Chicago Hunter Derby rides into Antioch’s steeplechase haven

Online Impressions: 42,171 Unique Monthly Visitors

Visit Lake County: Event ListingOnline Impressions: 26,124 Unique Monthly Visitors

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