FTC auction has banner year

The 16th annual Florida Thoroughbred Charities (FTC) fundraising auction that took place at Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation in Ocala on March 19 raised $122,140, a 75 percent increase over last year’s gross of $69,410.
 
“I would like to thank Nadia Sanan Briggs, president of FTC; Nancy Chaffey, our administrative assistant; and our staff, along with Joe Shanks and the Hilton Hotel for catering the event, as well as Charlotte and Chester Weber of Live Oak who hosted the event this year, and many other volunteers who contributed to the success of this charitable event,” said Richard E. Hancock, executive director of FTC.

FTC would like to thank the following Florida Thoroughbred breeders and continuing supporters of the FTC auction:
 
Adena Springs South for contributing stallion seasons totaling $34,300, along with the Sunshine Millions race day package (valued at $4,300), for a total of $38,600.
 
Mari Hulman George, chairman of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, for providing the Indianapolis 500 package ($10,000), as well as the Brickyard 400 package ($9,500); these gifts totaled $19,500.
 
George Steinbrenner for donating his World Series package ($7,700) and the Yankees Old Timer package ($4,200), for a total of $11,900.
 
Florida Thoroughbred Charities, Inc., is the charitable arm of the Florida Thoroughbred industry, since 1990 has raised more than $3 million for charitable organizations within the Thoroughbred industry, Ocala/Marion County and the state of Florida. Funds are raised through annual fundraisers which include the Live and Silent Auction, Stallion Season Auction and Golf Classic.

2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Live Oak International Combined Driving Event welcomes Budweiser as its Title Sponsor for 2006.

March 16 - 19, 2006, Live Oak will host its 14th annual Event at Charlotte Weber’s beautiful 4,500 Live Oak Plantation in Ocala, Florida. The 2006 Event has been selected by the United States Equestrian Federation as the 2006 National Four In Hand Championships and will be a Selection Trial for the World Singles Championships in Rome, Italy and the World Four In Hand Championships in Aachen, Germany this summer.

This spectacular Event, solely supported through the generosity of its sponsors and the efforts of its volunteers, serves the dual purposes of giving the public a chance to enjoy world class combined driving competition while also supporting many non-profit and charity goals, both locally and nationally.

In addition to the Trade Fair, open throughout the Competition, there are always surprise features at Live Oak such as a concert by Burt Bacharach in 2004 and a demonstration by Pat Parelli and his Team in 2005. The Marion County Humane Society will have dogs for adoption on site Saturday and Sunday, the new Horse Fever Horses will be on display during the Event this year, and the Classic Car Show and Coaching Exhibition will return Sunday. The Florida Thoroughbred Charities will be selling popular marathon day tailgating spots. To purchase one of these limited spots contact Janet Destio (352) 351-3200. Admission to the Event is $5.

For additional information about the Live Oak International, go to www.cailiveoak.com