Presented by Crown Motorcar Company of Charlottesville and the Virginia Dressage Association

Bidding War Breaks Records in Calcutta

Chairwoman Marlene Eagleburger, and Show Manager Nancy Lowey had a feeling this year was the biggest ever. The 5th Annual Virgina Celebrity Freestyle to Benefit the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation for Spinal Cord Reasearch raised money through ticket sales, a silent auction, and a Calcutta where horse and rider combinations were auctioned off to the highest bidder. And the numbers are in. With a record $53,220 it has been the most successful fundraiser to date.

The Calcutta raises money for the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation by auctioning off each Intermediaire horse/rider team to the audience. Whatever person has the winning bid on the horse/rider with the highest score receives 30% of the total money bid that evening with 10% going to the rider. The remaining 60% goes to the Foundation.

Well known auctioneer Jeff Marsh of Eurosport Auctions Limited, donated his time and expertise in getting the highest bid for each ride.

When Tigger Montague and her Hanoverian gelding, Lionheart entered the arena a lively bidding war between Tigger’s Mom Cinnie Montague and Mrs. Margaret Wyllie driving up the winning bid to $4,200.

Cinnie Montague, who had flown in to help her daughter who also is the exhibit coordinator of the event, was the highest bidder on her daughter, and clearly enjoyed the experience. The Calcutta alone raised over $10,000.

Meet the celebritiesRead all about the 2004 VADA Celebrity Freestyle Event