On Sunday, Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs held its third annual Toast to Great Oak, an event that raises funds for the organization's therapeutic programs while showcasing the powerful bond between horses and humans.
The event, which ran from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., drew a crowd of supporters who gathered to enjoy food provided by various local establishments and horse demonstrations.
Guests had the chance to enter a raffle for a custom pet portrait by Posh Pet Paintings. There was also a live auction on four different gift baskets: an Aiken Restaurants basket, an Art of Aiken basket, and Aiken Polo Package and a Best of Aiken Basket.
Proceeds from the event will directly contribute to Great Oak’s mission to provide equine-assisted programs to individuals with disabilities and other needs.
Shawna Dietrich, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Great Oak, said: “We are driven strictly by donations and grants, and this is our major fundraiser for the year.”
Therapeutic Riding Instructor Eva Finnan said that the money raised during this event is key in helping care for all 11 of the facility's horses.
“We’re really hoping to get some financial funding so that we can continue the fabulous work that we do here in our program,” she said. “It’s really important to us that we’re part of the community and so inviting people here to see the facility, meet the horses and hear a little bit about the program is what we’re trying to do and we’re just trying to raise awareness.”
One highlight of the fundraiser was the Liberty & Trick demonstration by Laurie Wilson, an exhibition in which Wilson released control of a horse and a mule and let them choose what tricks to perform.
Wilson said that this gives her and the animals she works with “a way to connect on a different level … it’s a really, really neat way to kind of show where you are in your relationship with your horse.”
Three horses that belong to Great Oak were introduced to the community to show guests what their donation money was sponsoring. These horses included Arnie, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse; Duke, a 16-year-old American Quarter Horse; and Ziggy, a 20-year-old Tobiano Paint.
Great Oak Event Committee member Liz Turnquist talked about ways the community can get involved outside of fundraiser events.
“They always need volunteers in lots of different areas, whether it’s, you know, grooming the horses, feeding the horses,” said Turnquist.
“Community awareness is a big deal with this event,” said another event committee member, Samantha Spitler.
To learn more about Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs, visit their website at greatoakeap.org.
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