Fund Raiser to Auction Work of Four-Legged Equine Artists

ReRun, the national Thoroughbred adoption program based in Kentucky, has announced a new fundraising project to be held in conjunction with this yearês annual fund raising auction and dinner/dance.

Through a yearly event to be called "Moneigh-Equine Expressions," horses that have distinguished themselves on the track and in the breeding shed will vie for the honor of becoming the top "equine artist."

The horses will produce watercolor art using a non-toxic paint in vibrant colors on special watercolor paper. Prototype pieces have been produced by Our Mims and other ReRun horses that painted with lips, tails and hooves.

Once completed, the artwork will be photographed and placed on the Mane Event Web site at www.themaneeventkentucky.org. The unidentified framed originals will be placed on display in Lexington during the weeks leading up to the 2002 Mane Event fund raiser on March 30 at the Embassy Suites in Lexington. Art aficionados will be allowed to vote for their favorite pieces, as will anyone in attendance at the Mane Event. Prior to the live auction - the identities of the artists will be revealed, as will the vote tally.

The art will then be auctioned off live at the Mane Event with bidding also taken via a special Web site set up for this event.

Several Lexington-area farms have agreed to participate in this project, including: WinStar, Mill Ridge and Cobra Farm. The list of equine artists includes stallions: Tiznow, Kris S., Victory Gallop, Gone West, as well as pensioners Groovy, Savinio and ReRun graduates, Our Mims, El Bakan, Known Ranger and Region.

This year's live auction is being conducted by Daniel D. Stewart, III, and his staff of professional auctioneers from The Stewart Group, a Lexington based auction and real estate firm which regularly supplies professional services to America's horse industry on a regional, national and international basis. For the second year, the firm and their associates have volunteered their professional services to ReRun.

"As auctioneer and fellow horsemen, we feel that the mission of ReRun is vital to maintaining a healthy horse industry here and elsewhere," said Daniel Stewart. "We are very excited to work with such an outstanding group of individuals who are dedicated to these magnificent animals."