Did you have your floppy hats and bow ties? Attendees of the Mint Juleps and Roses Derby Day at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART) brought the horseplay of the Derby to life, as SMART students straddled horses and demonstrated tricks for a crowd. The event also featured dinner, cocktails, a live auction, contests and performances by The Florida Mountain Boys. Proceeds from the $75 admissions fee benefited the East County organization.
Lakewood Ranch Women’s Club members Wilma Nourie and Trish Newman show off their pink pride.
Nate Allison has been a SMART student for five years.
First time SMART goers George and Susan Brady observe riding demonstrations.
Paula Daughtery, beside her husband, Tim, has one of the biggest and most decorative hats at the event.
Gal pals Vicki De Leon and Melissa Spillenkothen show off their Derby attire, hats and all.
Katie Eccles and Anna Schirripa wait for cold drinks.
Tiffani and Jim Gentsch enjoy time with the horses at the event, even though one tried to eat her hat.
Gracie and Dawn Laidlaw, of Willis Smith Construction, become fast friends.
John Hanchak enjoys an afternoon out with his wife, Jere, who dresses for the occasion
Cyndi Jaegge and Jody Jorgensen pulled out their floppy hats just in time for Kentucky Derby day.
New Executive Director of SMART Christine Kasten shows off a pretty in pink derby outfit.
Daren and Edith McDonald tour SMART’s barn and meet the horses that live there.
Jim and Karen Newsome chat with Felecia Jett about SMART’s demonstrations and services.
Lorraine Peters and Mike Savage enjoy a quiet moment outside before the event starts.
Betsy Plante, of Blessing Bags of Bradenton, shows off a crayon-covered hat, which symbolizes the supplies her organization provides for homeless children.
Ken and Carol Pulver are two of more than 100 event attendees.
Phillip Sheridan and Stacey Berkow attend the SMART event together.
Irving Starr, Lois Altz, Hans Van Der Kolk and Debra Starr enjoy a family gathering on Derby day.
Sterling enjoys Julie Holt’s company in the barn.
