A Lively Shively Affair
Friday, January 11, 2002
by Kenny Mills ROCKPORT, Ind., - Raymond and Lillian Shively and their staff at DeLovely Farm, gave their annual “ Lively Shively” Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2001 at their historic stable on Highway 66 just over the Ohio River from Owensboro, Ky. The anticipated and sentimental gathering was a chance for the farm’s customers, colleagues, and friends to gather and enjoy merriment and reflect on the fun and success of the past show season. It was also time to look ahead as several horses were presented to new owners.
The guests began arriving around 4:30 p.m., being treated to cocktails and a buffet catered by the Rockport Inn. In addition, Lillian Shively brought in singers from the local high school who entertained with well-known holiday songs. After dinner Shively introduced and thanked each of the farm’s staff members for their hard work and dedication that helped make 2001 a record breaking year for the farm. In 2001 DeLovely riders came home from the World’s Championship Horse Show in Louisville, Ky. with 24 blue ribbons, breaking their own record.
Another annual tradition is choosing the customer of the year. This is an award voted on by the staff members and has such criteria as loyalty, sportsmanship, and for a touch of humor, wardrobe. This year there was a tie. Being selected this year was the Flynn family of Tampa, Fla. and the Cox family of Danville, Ky. Shively also gave awards to riders who had achieved extraordinary goals in the past year.
The evening was concluded with the annual presentation of horses to new owners before the Jimmy Church Band of Nashville, Tenn. cranked up the volume for many late night revelers.
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