Wisconsin Futurity To Honor Friend
Monday, June 21, 2010
In November 2009, the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival and the Saddlebred community lost a great friend when Sarah Patton passed away. Patton played a very important but difficult role for the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival by quietly securing a trophy donor each and every year. As many know, this coveted bronze trophy is awarded to each class winner at the Futurity. Designed by Diane Maroscia for many years, this trophy has become a sought after collector’s item which is treasured by all who win them. An idea came upon a group of Patton’s friends and that idea was presented to the Board of Directors of the Futurity who unanimously agreed to honor Patton by dedicating a trophy at the 2010 show in her honor.
At a time in Patton’s life that she had always cherished, she worked at North Ridge Farm in Minnesota and was the caretaker of the great World’s Grand Champion Five-Gaited Mare Belle Elegant. Since the time they first met, "Belle" was a favorite of Patton. To memorialize that, this year’s trophy will be a special creation of Belle Elegant.
Diane Maroscia, a long time friend of Patton, has donated many hours to design and supervise the making of this trophy. As Maroscia worked with the clay, she felt as though Patton was working through her. She was undecided on the name that should be given to this trophy. In the past, it was as simple as the name of the horse being honored appeared on the bronze. This year Maroscia wanted to do something more for her special friend. In the end, a simple, but meaningful name has been chosen, "A Belle for Sarah".
Anyone that would like to participate in honoring Patton by donating funds towards the making of this trophy is welcome to do so. To add your donation please make checks payable to the Wisconsin Futurity Horse Festival, c/o Vicky Holston, 35660 W. Lake Drive, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. The Festival is a 501 (c) 3, so your donation is tax deductible.
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