Big Dogs Valentine’s Night Out Brings Country Western Star Power To Wellington

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When it comes to the love of dogs, there is no rescue in town quite like Big Dog Ranch Rescue (BDRR). This Valentine’s Day, BDRR presents Big Dogs Valentine’s Night Out, with all proceeds benefiting the largest cage-free shelter in the United States. On Wednesday, February 14, from 6 – 11 p.m., Wellington’s newest restaurant, Polo Bar and Grill, is generously hosting the event and, the equestrian hot spot will transform into the idyllic Valentine’s Day destination, and for one night, the equestrian community will come together for a country-chic western-themed evening under the stars. The event features an exquisite dinner, silent and live auctions, a night filled with dancing, and a private concert with Nashville Country sensation Randy Houser.

Tickets are selling out fast at only $250 per person, and a limited number of table sponsorships remain.

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Nashville Meet Welly World

Randy Houser

Country music star Kenny Chesney stepped up to work with BDRR in the wake of the devastation of the hurricanes, helping to rescue 100 dogs along with Victory Air, and transport them to safety in the U.S. His dedication to BDRR did not end with the live-saving mission, and it was upon his recommendation that Randy Houser stepped forward for an exclusive concert to be held during Big Dog’s Valentine’s Night Out.

Grab your western wear, pull on your dancing boots, and get ready for a Valentine’s Day that you will not forget. Whether you head out to Polo Bar & Grill for the dinner, drinks or dancing, you are sure to have an outstanding evening. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on a Meet & Greet with Kenney Chesney at any one of his 60 tour date locations, a Hot Air Balloon Ride, and a beautiful diamond bracelet, along with an array of top-of-the-line items for the silent auction.

Equine Entertainment
The event will also feature a demonstration from Cobra, an American Mustang who was destined for death, but was adopted from the wild, and has since reached the highest level of classical and western dressage ever for a wild horse. He is known throughout the world, and a “Breyer” horse was made of him. His rescuer and rider, Marsha Hartford-Sapp, and Cobra will perform and host a Meet & Greet with Cobra. His story has stolen the hearts of millions, and is sure to steal those of the guests at Big Dogs Valentine’s Night Out.

Combined Driving Retruns to Wellington

Mary Phelps and The Gangsters on the marathon

Bringing Driving sport back to the Wellington community are FEI Drivers Bettina Scherer and Mary Phelps showing the versatility of the sport of Combined Driving. It is an FEI Sport that will be represented with Four-In-Hand International Teams at the World Equestrian Games (WEG), Tryon 2018.

Modeled after the sport of Eventing, it was England’s Prince Phillip, when president of the FEI, who created the sport for the world stage. The three phases, Dressage, Marathon (Cross Country) and the third phase, Cones, has their own World Championships for Singles, Pairs, Four-In-Hand, and Ponies.

Scherer will demonstrate the elegance of dressage with her Standardbred/Dutch Harness horse cross, Banjo. In the traditional dress with her lovely presentation carriage, Bettina will show some of the moves required in the FEI 2* Dressage Test, required for qualification for the Single Horse World Championships. Sherer organized eight Combined Driving events in Wellington from 2011-2014, and is eager to bring this exciting and versatile sport back to South Florida.

Then Mary Phelps and “The Gangsters” Markel’s Al Capony and Bugsy Maloney will ramp up the speed in their Marathon carriage doing a Derby style demonstration showing the speed and agility required for the Marathon and Cones Phase. Mary Phelps, owner of HorsesDaily.com is a well known personality in the equestrian community as a photographer and journalist, now competing at the FEI Level in the sport.

“From its inception, our dream for Polo West and Polo Bar & Grill has been a community-centric golf and equestrian clubhouse to support important events and activities. To us, there is no more important organization and no more noble activity, than saving the lives of the Big Dog Ranch Rescue dogs,” Polo Bar & Grill owner, Gary Fellers concluded.

Fellow owner Jeanette Sassoon concluded, “Please join us in supporting this important cause, and we urge the community to make a donation if they cannot attend, as well as follow Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s amazing journey.”

About the Big Dog Ranch Rescue
All event proceeds benefit the nation’s largest cage free no kill shelter, Big Dog Ranch Rescue. Over 23,000 dogs have been saved by the organization’s work as the campus evolves into the nation’s premiere rescue facility and animal lover’s destination. BDRR is the prototype for what every rescue should be; a place that not only houses, but heals both physically and mentally, to ensure a sound, forever companion for a new family. BDRR is a leader in the national animal welfare movement, through compassionate, innovative rescue practices and transformative educational programs.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue Founder and President, Lauree Simmons, said, “I hope you will join us for this special Valentine’s Day celebration of love. Invite some of your friends, and experience not only an incredible evening, but the joy we feel everyday as we rescue our four-legged companions.”

BDRR’s goal is to give the gift of life to as many dogs as possible, enrich the lives of those who adopt them, and in doing so, help create a better world. Big Dogs Valentines Night Out will benefit the expansion and enhanced life-saving services provided in their all-new state-of-the-art Veterinary Healing Center, as well as continue to support their ongoing mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming as many dogs as humanly possible. During the past year alone, BDRR has rescued more than 3,000 surviving puppies and dogs from the hurricanes in Houston, the Florida Keys and Puerto Rico.