WELLINGTON, Fla.--"I am seldom at a loss for words, but the response to the Grand Prix to benefit the Kevin Babington Foundation has left me speechless," said Jeff Papows. "Sixty-eight riders from nine countries took the field to honor Kevin and support our mission of equestrian spinal cord research and recovery."

Shane Sweetnam Champion at the Babington Benefit (Photo by Andrews Ryback Photography)The Benefit was held at Victoria McCullough's Mida Farm in late February, and Shane Sweetnam was the winner.

"Thanking everybody here is perilous because there are in fact, so many deserving of thanks," said Papows. "I must single out a few who went “above and beyond”.

First, Silver Oak’s angel and longtime partner Victoria McCullough who shared her incredible property with all of us.

Not just the best grass jumping surface in North America, by all accounts, but her incredible home and hospitality where a lavish reception was held for several hundred guests honoring Kevin Babington.

Her entire staff were so helpful and made the Event a big success.

 

AGAIN, at great risk, Javan Dalman and the Dalman Jump Company for donating all the beautiful jumps, Clip My Horse TV for capturing the event, and Mark Philips for his tireless efforts to do the typically beautiful job of highlighting the majesty of the sport.

Gwyneth Babington competing at her Father's Benefit (Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography)The Benefit can be seen on the Clip My Horse TV coverage here: https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_US/events/8235 .

Thank you to Leopoldo Polacious our renowned course designer for challenging all the riders and keeping them safe, as well while lending us his incredible talents, which were donated to the Foundation. We so appreciate your time

Next Andrew Ryback, Andrew Ryback Photography, who had a small army of his photographers on the field all day.

Andrew is donating 100 percent of the photographs purchased to the Foundation.

Please visit his site for those spectacular images here: http://arp.photostockplus.com/album/3860191/

The auction officially ended at midnight following Victoria’s reception.

There was a lot of activity at the reception for items, as well as online.

We had a fascinating array of items from saddles to Bruce Springsteen’s, autographed electric guitar, private lessons from Show Jumping’s elite all of which were sold, raising badly needed funds for the Foundation.

Victoria and I are committed to making this an annual event.

Please save that Tuesday on next year’s calendar, and we will continue to support the Kevin Babington Foundation.

Again, thanks not just to the few singled out, but to the many who contributed."

Victoria McCullough - Jeff Papows