Horse community holds benefit auction for one of its own Horse community holds benefit auction for one of its own (May 18, 2005)

On Saturday, May 28, during the Woodside Eventing Horse Trials at the Horse Park in Woodside, friends will hold a silent auction to benefit equestrian trainer Judy Klus and her husband, Ken, who is suffering from progressive bladder cancer.

The auction will take place in the same tent as the Competitors' Dinner.

Judy and Ken Klus lived off Skyline in Woodside for many years until they bought a ranch in Gold Beach, Oregon, in 2001. Ms. Klus continued to divide her time between Portola Valley Training Center in Menlo Park and the Horse Park at Woodside, earning a reputation as a trainer who had good rapport with members of Portola Valley and Woodside pony clubs.

Mr. Klus, 58, has donated thousands of hours on his tractor improving the grounds at the Horse Park, moving jumps and grooming the tracks. The couple also helped develop equestrian facilities in Napa and Fresno.

"Ken's recent hospitalizations have left Judy unable to keep up her rigorous schedule," says Lisa Kreiger of the Portola Valley Pony Club. "In a dilemma faced by many self-employed people, the sudden loss of wages and escalating medical bills are creating great hardship for the family."

The local equestrian community has been helping out, but is now reaching out to the public for help in defraying the couple's medical bills.

They are seeking donations for Ken Klus through the Beth Perkins Equestrian Foundation, a charity that helps needy members of the Bay Area horse world. The foundation is named for equestrian Beth Perkins of Tomales, who made a successful fight against breast cancer.

Tax-free contributions to a trust fund for Judy and Ken Klus may be sent to the Beth Perkins Equestrian Foundation, 490 Highland Ave., Penngrove, CA 94951. For information about the fund, call Elli Price, 415-435-9695. For information about the auction, call Fiona Graham, 400-8900, or Mary Spangler, 400-7934.

The Memorial Day weekend event (May 27-29) is the first nationally sanctioned three-day event to be held at The Horse Park since 2002. The park features a rebuilt course designed by Derek di Grazia.

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