a table set up for a formal dinner

April 25, 2025

Annual Blue Ribbon Gala

a blue and white logo with a star above it
Gilley's Southside Ballroom, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd #101, Dallas 75215

Join us in celebrating 44 years of Equest at our annual Blue Ribbon Gala in 2025! This unforgettable event promises to be the social highlight of the year, attracting over 500 influential leaders from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, including business, civic, and community figures. Proceeds from the evening will support Equest’s mission to improve the lives of children and adults with diverse needs. Through the power of horses, Equest provides transformative equine assisted services that bring hope, healing, and empowerment.

Don’t miss out on a night filled with live entertainment by Jordan Khan’s Manhattan Orchestra, a dedicated casino area for guests to enjoy, and the chance to bid on exclusive auction items. It’s a celebration of humans, horses, and hope.

2025 Gala Chairs

Kristin and James Hallam

2025 Honorary Chairs

The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and
Natalie and David Taylor

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a woman standing in front of a building

2025 Auction Chair

Norma Jean Schaltenbrand

2025 Gala Emcee

Calvert Collins – Bratton

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woman in a black shirt and glasses standing in front of a stone wall

 

 

 

 

2025 Founders Award Recipient

Carol Chamberlin

 

 

2025 Citation Award Recipient

Donna and Tim Weber, Katherine Weber

a man and two women standing next to a horse

Upcoming Events

table with a number of items on it
a pair of cowboy boots with stars on them

Step into Style: Exclusive Cowboy Boots for the Equest Gala

Miron Crosby’s exclusive Equest Sophie boot in Metallic Silver features Light Blue writing and Navy stars for $1,895. Available only at the Dallas store in Highland Park Village. Order in-store or by calling 214.238.3385 by December 30th to receive them in time for the April Gala!


2025 Host Committee Members

Carolyn Anderson

Annalee Aston

Brooke & Michael Bailey

Lisa Bhattacharia

Pam Brannon

Diane & Hal Brierley

Allison & Brett Brodnax

Jennifer Burns

Nancy & Gene Carter

Andrea Cheek

Katherine Coker

Harley Cozewith & Blane Balch

Kathy & Bob Craine

Elizabeth & Robert Creel

    Elizabeth Dacus

Tanya & Brandon Davis

Cynthia & Ray Everitt

Lora Farris

Marianne Fazen, Ph.D

Tucean & Craig Franks

Cara & Jim French

Nancy Gabel

Linda Gardner

Ann & Tim Gavin

Susana Gibb

Leslie & Hawkins Golden

Amy Green

Sila Grogan

Clint Haggerty

Franchon & Howard Hallam

Robert Hallam Jr.

Sara & Robert Hallam

Caroline & Loehr Harrison

Isabell & Trey Higginbotham

Victoria Barr Hunt & Robert Hunt

Anne & Kris Kashata

Katie Kime

Maggie Kipp & John Griffiths

Melinda & Mike Knowles

Caitlin & Thomas Laughlin

Lisa & Kendall Laughlin

Ellyce Lindberg

Natalie Low LaDriere

Margaret Marsh Mebus

Mary Martha & John Pickens

Lynn McBee

Pat & John McDonough

Wendy & Boyd Messmann

Jen & Zach Munoz

Jeannie & David Nethery

Debbie & Nickey Oates

Melani OMeara

Theresa & Brian Parkinson

Amanda Rader

Sara & Robby Rockey

Dr. Sasha Ortiz

Susan Schwartz Family

Anne & Bill Seanor

Linda & Les Secrest

Fay & Dan Sheehan

Lisa & Joe-Bob Shirley

Camelia Shoemaker

Sunie & Steve Solomon

Kasey Stricklin

Catherine & Mike Sweet

Carla & Steve Swenson

Cindy Thomas

Lola Thomas

Anastasia & Philip Tocci

Kay & Peter Weeks

Donna & Herb Weitzman

Paige Westhoff

Emilynn Wilson

Heather Winn

Lauryn Gayle White


2025 Auction Committee Members

Carolyn Anderson

Jennifer Bauer

Kathy Fielder

Shelby Furr

Amanda Gadison

Susana Gibb

Kristin Hallam

Natalie Low LaDriere

Liz Neu

Deepika Ramesh

Norma Jean Schaltenbrand (Chair)

Natalie Taylor

 


Thank You To Our 2025 Sponsors & Underwriters

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ben e ketch company logo
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white background featuring a green and blue logo
logo for a restaurant called Cavender's Boot City
black and white photo of a logo for metro
red and white sign that says forvs
black and white logo featuring the words Godman and Sachs Give
logo of the company hpkins
black and white photo of a word that says, 'fell rose
logo for kiewit
black and white photo of the logo for Dallas
logo for my sweet charity, an ongoing conversation for the good of north texas
logo for a jewelry store
black and white photo featuring the words steve knade event design
white rock self storage logo
logo for Pendery's Steak House
man riding a wave on top of a surfboard
man riding a wave on top of a surfboard
man riding a wave on top of a surfboard
man riding a wave on top of a surfboard

Grand Champion

Natalie and David Taylor

The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation

Susan Schwartz

Champion 

Tanya and Danny Rice

High Point

Carolyn Anderson

Brooke Bailey and Elizabeth Dacus

Benchmark Bank

Cavender’s

Forvis Marzars

Anna and Tim Gavin

Goldman Sachs

Amy Green and Erika Burton

Hopkins Commercial Real Estate

Kiewit Corporation

Carla and Steve Swenson

Cindy Thomas

Banquet  Sponsor

Ben E. Keith

Kristin and James Hallam

Reception Sponsor

Pendery’s

Patron Party Sponsor

Teresa and Tom Fishman

Lela Rose

Photography Sponsors

Bank of Texas (Gala)

Caroline Hunt (Patron Party)

Marianne and Bob Fazen (Award Videos)

Print Sponsor

White Rock Storage

Swag Bag Sponsor

Brilliant Fulfillment

Patrons

Etro

Louise Griffeth

Bryan Lynch

Pave The Way/Joan Hornig

Event Design Sponsor

Steve Kemble Event Design

Media Sponsor

MODERN LUXURY

My Sweet Charity

Public Relations

Susan Friedman

Event Information

25

Apr | Fri

Gilley’s Dallas Southside Ballroom

1135 Botham Jean Blvd #101, Dallas, TX 75215