The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center Parties With Top Names in Driving and Jumping During VIP Tent at Live Oak International
Ocala, FL (March 28, 2013) – The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center delighted their clients and guests once again by hosting another amazing VIP Party Tent during the Live Oak International CDE, one of Florida’s jewels in its Triple Crown of Driving events. Top name equestrians in both driving and jumping mingled and lived it up at this all day party where everyone celebrated Florida-style in the VIP tent that was placed adjacent to the Sanctuary-sponsored water hazard located on Live Oak Plantation’s coveted marathon course. “We were so excited to celebrate with all of our clients and friends,” said Brenda McDuffe, General Manager of The Sanctuary, “and we couldn’t have been happier with the amazing turn out of the who’s who in the equestrian community, especially since it looked like we were going to get some weather, but it held off – just for us, it seemed!”
For this year’s celebration, The Sanctuary revived a fine sporting- life tradition by opening its VIP Party Tent for coffee and donuts at 9:00 a.m. As the first teams greeted the course, building the competitive anticipation, the luscious aroma of Cody’s Original Roadhouse barbecue filled the air as lunch was prepared. Hospitality and appetizers picked up and continued into the afternoon at The Sanctuary VIP Sports Bar – an antique beer truck that served beer and wine. On the other side of the tent, The Sanctuary mobile unit was on hand, where a helpful staff was available to answer questions about horse performance and rehabilitation. A doggie-station was also set up, courtesy of The Sanctuary’s Canine division, and made sure tasty dog-treats were on hand for the other four-legged guests at the show. Many guests also walked away with great prizes from the jam-packed raffle and product give aways that The Sanctuary arranged, including therapeutic saddlepads from Draper Equine Therapy, a Vespucci bridle courtesy of World Equestrian Brands, Jumper Sport Boots from Custom Saddlery, an arena footing test kit, including samples and videos, from Premier Equestrian, and other donations from American Shavings, Edward Jones Investments, Flying Horse Bakery, All-In Manure Removal, and PSPC-Patented Phycox products. Kentucky Equine Research also donated a package consisting of their Preserve PS antioxidant, Restore SR electrolyte, a KER embroidered saddle pad, and the KER Dirty Jobs episode on DVD.
The Sanctuary’s “life of the party” guests included clients, veterinarians, leading riders and drivers, and the equestrian press, which ensured plenty of lively conversation on everyone’s favorite subject – horses. All this while the driving competitors charged through the course, and dashed through the nearby water hazard, including nine-time U.S. National Champion, and Ocala horseman, Chester Weber. Weber and his team drove into the winners circle for an exciting 9th consecutive win of the Live Oak International CDE. “Chester is a long-time client,” said McDuffee, “which made watching him win this event an amazing experience. Seeing him and his champion team charge through that water hazard, along with being able to see all the other drivers, definitely confirmed that our VIP Party Tent was the place to be!” Live Oak hosted over 80 combined drivers at this event who were also joined by nearly 40 show jumpers who were there for the return, of FEI CSI** Show Jumping to Live Oak after its successful launch in 2012.
Live Oak’s ability to combine this package of world class equestrian competition is one of the reasons why Ocala is known as ‘horse country’ and Florida ranks among the nation’s horse population leaders. The Sanctuary effectively serves horses in the Ocala area, state, or nationwide from a 30-acre Ocala central facility or state-of-the-art equine mobile therapy unit that travels cross country to shows.
“A CDE marathon is among the greatest physical tests an equine athlete is asked to meet and experiencing such honest power firsthand from our VIP Tent was really special,” McDuffee said. “The Sanctuary has built a tremendous reputation on its success in conditioning and rehabilitating equines of all disciplines, from jumpers to driving horses, making Live Oak, and Ocala, the perfect place to be. The Sanctuary also values being a part of the community, from sponsoring classes at shows to supporting charitable causes.”
The Sanctuary’s world-class facility features some of the world’s most advanced conditioning and rehabilitation equipment, including the Pegasus Laser Therapy, a cold saltwater leg spa, an Aqua-Pacer water treadmill, Electro-magnetic Pulse Therapy, Respiratory Therapy (Transpirator II) and equine swimming pool.
For more information about The Sanctuary, visit their website at www.sanctuaryequinerehab.com.
Photo: Brenda McDuffee of The Sanctuary with driver Bob Giles at The Sanctuary’s VIP Tent at the 2013 Live Oak International. (Photo courtesy of Amalia Castro)
Tom Grabe
The Sanctuary Equine Sports
Therapy & Rehabilitation Center
1-352-369-HEAL (4325)
