Charity Horse Show in Atherton attracts 500 horses and riders Charity Horse Show in Atherton attracts 500 horses and riders (August 04, 2004)

By Jane Knoerle
Almanac Lifestyles Editor

Entries to the Menlo Charity Horse Show, to be held August 10 to 15 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, sold out this year in a day and a half.

Some 500 ranked horses and riders made the cut for the show, which began as a neighborhood gathering in 1970 and grew into a world-class equestrian event, voted "Horse Show of the Year" for the past 20 years.

Several Olympic hopefuls will take part in the show. Guy Thomas of Willow Tree Farm in Menlo Park, winner of the 2003 Grand Prix and Ryman Speed Jumping Class, will be taking part in the Olympics as a member of the New Zealand equestrian team.

The Menlo show competition is Olympic-style jumping, which takes place on grass in three separate show rings. Of particular note are the unique jumps, many of which are decorated by local florists.

Riders will compete for $100,000 in prize money and to gain points toward national championships. As with other "AA" events, riders of all ages will be wearing formal attire.

Last year the six-day event raised $328,000 for the Peninsula Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the show's traditional beneficiary.

Betsy Glikbarg of Atherton once again reigns as horse show chairman, as she has since the first show. Her committee includes savvy "old pros" who have been with her since the early days.

For the second year, "horses in art" will play a prominent part in the show. The equestrian art of Robin Caspari, a Virginia artist, appears on the invitations, the cover of the premium book, programs, T-shirts and posters. Ms. Caspari has donated two framed prints that will be among auction items at the sponsors' dinner on Friday, August 13.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, August 10 and 11, activities begin at 8 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. with a variety of hunter, jumper and pony classes. Thursday events run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and include the $2,000 Oakland Raiders gambler's choice jumper class at 6 p.m.

An evening party for sponsors on Friday, August 13, begins at 5 p.m. with no-host cocktails on the field. The Maple Leaf Farm Ryman Memorial Speed Jumper Class takes place at 6 p.m.

Dinner and the live auction are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., followed by dancing to the Black Pearl Band.

Tickets are $150 per person. For information, call Pam Perez at 856-7840. Once again Barbara Ellison of Wild Turkey Farm in Woodside is underwriting the event.

Saturday, August 14, is Alfred Hitchcock Day with the Hitchcock $10,000 Grand Hunter Challenge at 4:30 p.m. Pat O'Connell of Solvang, Mr. Hitchcock's daughter, is a longtime supporter of the show. She has given watches adorned with the famed movie director's face to many officials and sponsors at the horse show. Reports are she is sending up 200 watches for this year's show.

The $35,000 San Jose British Motors Grand Prix will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, followed by a poolside barbecue. The cost is $35 per person. For reservations, call 322-4616.

The show concludes Sunday with the $5,000 amateur owner horse jumper classic, the $10,000 amateur jumper class, and the $10,000 modified junior amateur jumper classic.

Class awards will be donated by Bloomingdale's, Hermes, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Wilkes Bashford and Mid-Peninsula Bank.

Nancy Collins is chairman of the sponsors' dinner. Her committee includes: Judy Levin, Michelle Mosman, Ingrid Sywak, Susan Pasquinelli, Cheryl Cline, Lesley Nelson, Marilyn Spigel, Grayson Martin, Linda Salvador, Pam Perez, Phyllis Fletcher, Steve Goldenberg and Peri Soyugenc.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase on the Circus Club grounds. Admission is $10 per day, with six day passes available for $35. Children under 12 are admitted free.

For more information, check www.menlohorseshow.org.

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