CONTEST WINNER

Coventry Farms
Tallahassee, FL


In February 2002, Saskia Soler-Stockwell was grocery shopping in Tallahassee, Florida when she lost consciousness from a seizure. The diagnosis was a brain tumor which required extensive treatment at Emory Hospital. To help offset expenses, two friends who were Coventry Farms’ barn members organized the first Luau Horse Show and raised $4,500 for Saskia. Sadly, the tumors returned in 2005 and Saskia ultimately lost her battle with brain cancer, passing away in February 2007. Coventry Farms, however, continued giving back through an annual benefit Luau horse show. They chose Big Bend Hospice because they wanted to help others who had lost loved ones. Thus began a special partnership between Coventry Farms and Big Bend Hospice’s Caring Tree Program; a free and unique community service which recognizes that anyone old enough to love is old enough to grieve. Caring Tree provides comfort, education, and support to children and teens who have lost loved ones; funded through private donations alone.

Alice Buford, Coventry Farms owner/trainer, is also a social worker with incredible dedication and passion. That first year there was a lot to organize and only a few people to make it happen – Alice, her best friends Jen and Martha, and three Caring Tree program counselors. It was a tiring & stressful undertaking, but Alice willingly bore most of the weight. Despite the investment of time, sweat, and energy that year, something special began to happen. They say that enthusiasm is caught, not taught. Members of our local equine community began to catch Alice’s enthusiasm. One of the first young riders to win a cash prize donated the money back to grieving kids, and many riders followed suit.

We all know the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Caring Tree Program Director Pam Mezzina adds, “After years of working with grieving kids, I’ve often wondered how well we ‘as a village’ really contribute to the needs of our children. The Luau has restored my belief there is still a village that genuinely cares and is willing to put ‘love into action’ for the well being of our youngest citizens.”

The 2007/2008 Luau’s were dedicated to Saskia’s memory. More help arrived with a new co-sponsor, Oak Leaf Farms. The Caring Tree provided more games and activities for the kids, concessions, pony rides, Hula dancers, and face painting. One of the annual highlights is “Horse Patty Bingo.” We mark a grid in a paddock, put in a horse, and when the horse lands a “patty” on a number, the winner receives $100! Winners typically return their winnings to the cause. Last year, several young barn members spent hours making heart-shaped horse treats topped with carrots and apples, then set up a table to sell their equine goodies. Again, the money went to help grieving kids. These small acts of generosity have created a sense that this “village” is dedicated to helping young people through what can be one of the most difficult challenges of life, losing a loved one. The fourth Annual Luau this year proved that special enthusiasm is still alive and well. A junior member of the Southern Hunter Jumper Association challenged all junior members to donate one week’s allowance to Caring Tree. They raised $350 dollars, enough to send several campers to a grief camp for a day.

While it takes a barn full of volunteers to make the Luau a reality each year, the dynamo with the big heart behind these efforts is Coventry Farms’ owner and beloved Trainer, Alice Buford. Through her boundless energy and sacrifice, she provides the venue, the spirit and the opportunity for our small horse community to step up and give back - $15,000 this year! Alice is the real reason this program has settled so deeply into all of our hearts. She not only cares enough to help, she uses her business to make it happen, giving willingly of her time, expertise and resources to sustain this amazing event that in turn makes such a difference for grieving children.