Big Orange Bash 19!

The "Big Orange Bash" Model Horse Show - How it Began

 

Horses that get stuck in tight situations (sinkholes, gullies, etc.) pose a difficult challenge to rescuers.  If they can't remove the horse from its trap without causing further injuries, their only choice is to put the horse down.  A special tool called the Anderson Sling is useful for lifting horses and other large animals, but it's expensive.

 

In the early 2000's the University of Tennessee's Veterinary Clinic along with several local horse-related clubs and organizations began a grassroots fundraising campaign.  They hoped they could eventually purchase an Anderson Sling to be used for future horse rescues in East Tennessee.  Their campaign was named the "Shadow Fund" after a gentle mare named Shadow who died because she couldn't be rescued.

 

People wrote checks.  People put bills in jars.  Dollar by dollar the collection steadily grew.  But progress was painfully slow.  Even by 2003 the Shadow Fund was still less than halfway toward its $8000 goal.

 

Carol Tuft, an employee at the UT Vet Clinic, saw the potential of an unusual source of fundraising: a University-sponsored model horse show!  Why not?  Perhaps such an activity might be able to raise some additional money for the Shadow Fund?

 

She got permission to organize this special show and scheduled it in an auditorium on campus.  Since it would be held at the University whose school colors are Orange and White, and whose rallying cry is "Go Big Orange!" she chose to name her fundraiser "The Big Orange Bash".

 

No one knew if this event could break even.  It might bring in a few hundred dollars, or it might lose money.  But it was still worth the risk since it was for a worthy cause!

 

With all fingers and toes crossed, her well advertised fundraiser show was held in June 2003.

 

There was no need to worry -- the show succeeded beyond everyone's expectations!  The hall filled with model horse enthusiasts, some of whom traveled hundreds of miles to attend!  Raffle tickets sold like hotcakes!  Auction items triggered bidding wars!  The collection jar for the Shadow Fund got stuffed with bills!  And best of all, everyone had a good time!

 

Happily, Carol's show did much more than merely break even -- it raised a whopping $1300!

 

This tremendous windfall pushed the Shadow Fund over $4000, which felt like an important milestone: the halfway point.  Perhaps it might take only a few more years to raise the rest?

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That was a good outcome, but that's not the end of the story....

 

The State of Tennessee noticed that the Shadow Fund had passed its halfway point.  This triggered a matching funds provision!  As a result, the State immediately matched ALL the money in the Fund, effectively doubling it!

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So in one fell swoop the Big Orange Bash boosted the Shadow Fund enough to reach its goal!

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With smiles on many faces, the Fund was donated to the Vet Clinic.  The Clinic immediately purchased a long-awaited Anderson Sling!

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This sling has been used many times since 2003, both for rescuing horses and for helping support a horse's weight while recovering from surgery.  Many horse owners have benefited from its availability in East Tennessee.  Furthermore, the Clinic now owns several Anderson Slings, thanks to continuing BOB support!

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And the model horse show?

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Well, by popular demand it got held again the following year!

 And the next!

     And the next!

             And the next.....................