She may not be as fast or famous as Nyquist, winner of the 142nd Kentucky Derby, but what she lacks in speed, the lovely Elsa makes up for in heart. The former 4-H show horse – known as Queen Elsa at her day job as a Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast therapy horse – was the guest of honor at last Saturday evening’s fifth annual Kentucky Derby Party at Blue Star Brasserie, hosted by owner Kitty Wagner to benefit the nonprofit.
“I love the Derby Party,” said Wagner, who was donating 10 percent of food and drink purchases all night long to SETC. “Everyone I haven’t seen in forever comes out.”
Elsa, gussied up with a saddle of roses and sporting additional roses along her beautifully braided mane and tail, serenely posed with guests who stopped to admire her, dipping her head between shots to munch on a special hay treat.
Elsa is one of eight horses at SETC, which provides therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with physical, developmental or emotional disabilities. Programs are geared toward improving physical attributes such as posture, balance, motor skills and muscle tone, as well as social skills including verbalization and communication.
“We just got back from the State Special Olympics south of Ocala,” said Vickie Penly. “We got every medal I think you can get; three out of four students came in first, second or third. They did really well.”
Inside, revelers enjoyed the Derby traditions of icy milt juleps and, of course, festive hats. Twenty contestants entered the field this year with their original creations, including one brave man, Bob Van Saun, and 94-years-young Derby fan Louise Swidersky.
Artist and recycling advocate Melanie Neach sported a Cinco de Mayo-turned-Derby creation topped with a glittery skull, and her sister’s lovely hat was covered in pink roses and feathery boa pieces. “I had all the girls come over and I got out my craft items. We just had a lot of fun,” laughed Neach.
Others opted to remain hatless, including Marjorie Tibbetts, who explained with a smile, “I watched Secretariat and owner Penny Tweedy did not wear a hat. I figured if she wouldn’t, I wouldn’t!”
With her characteristic enthusiasm, Anna Valencia-Tillery emceed the hat contest, announcing the winners after the annual Run for the Roses. “It’s good energy,” she said. “And people get to learn more about Special Equestrians.”
“This is a fabulous event,” said contest winner Judy Van Saun. Second and third place went to Kerry Bradshaw and Susan Krull. “I am meeting so many outstanding and generous people.”
