For The Daily News The 39th Annual Menlo Charity Horse Show was a week-long exhibition of equestrian excellence and much more.
This world-class show was named one of the best shows in 2008 by the National Hunter Hall of Fame. The August 4-9 event at Atherton’s Menlo Circus Club attracted 500 nationally ranked riders, some from as far away as Florida and Texas, who competed for more than $150,00 in prize money and points toward national championships. The show set a first-time record with seven Olympic team equestrians competing &mdash Calin McIntosh, Peter Breakwell, Butch Thomas, Guy Thomas, Duncan McFarlane, Will Simpson and Buddy Brown. Show founder and co-chair Betsy Glickbarg said it was a compliment to the show to have so may Olympians participate. Also, 2008 Olympic Eventing (cross-country) bronze medalist Gina Miles participated by modeling equestrian fashions at the Aug. 8 World Championship Hunter Rider South West Regional Awards Banquet. Show proceeds benefit the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. In 2008, 30,000 visually impaired people in Santa Clara, San Mateo, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties received services that enabled them to regain their independence, to achieve a better quality of life. The Center offers orientation, mobility instruction, and daily living skills, counseling, social services, preschool education, low-vision optometry and outreach services for Spanish- speaking residents.
The highlight was the $10,000 Rector Audi/Audi American Ryman Memorial Speed Jumping Class, which was won by Simpson. He took first, second and third places, riding three different horses. Other Olympians competing in this class were Brown and Thomas.