Hundreds of supporters gathered at Tarleton’s equine center arena for the 4th annual Morning Star Gala benefiting Dublin’s Morning Star Ranch Saturday, Oct. 26.
MSR is a nonprofit faith-based riding center for children whose mission is to encourage and empower.
Morning Star founder Travis Bickham reported the event was a success as they raised an unofficial total of $55,000, thanks in part to the generous donations made to the silent and live auctions.
“So many things went to a higher level this year,” Bickham said. “We had a lot of amazing auction items that came in and wowed us.”
She also said the change in venue was a hit. “[The equine center] offered better seating, sound and gave more options for performers,” Bickham said. “Tarleton was amazing to work with. We got to come in and practice a lot before the event.”
The venue also resulted in Taste of Tarleton handling catering which offered an “amazing menu” in appetizers and on the buffet.
Attendees also got a great show before the dinner. Bickham commended longtime volunteer Nicole Petet for helping organize a “great crew of professionals” every year with Bickham calling out emcee Doug Mathis as one of the best rodeo announcers in the business.
The crowd also got to see trick rider Leah Self as well as her daughter, Huntley Grace Self, show skills in the ring while rodeo clown Bert Davis and his wife Frannie, showed off some amazing routines with Davis’ Muttley Crew ( a team of eight rescue dogs performing stunts and skits).
Leading off the event though was Carley Cary, the first child in the Morning Star program. She entered the ring and performed a routine devised by herself and the Battenfield family to show off what she could do with her horse Kiwi. Kiwi suffered an attack earlier in life that makes it impossible to support a rider.
Cary and the horse showed a great bond as she performed with the animal getting it to lie down on command and led it through obstacles without any kind of halter or lead, embracing liberty training.
Cary wore a medieval costume during the act as did the Morning star kids and volunteers during the Camelot-inspired showcase which even featured swords in a stone at the front of the arena.
Audri Phillips presented the American Flag while Morgan Cowan sung the National Anthem. Horseback warriors were played by Ella Smith, Bella Connor, Makynlee Turner and Raegan Fondecaro while warriors and queens were played by Beckham Velazquez, Camden McLaughlin, Evelyn Gillespie, Audri Phillips, Faye Sanders and Lanell Upshaw.
Erath native and Secretary of Agriculture Sid Miller said grace and Alec Gaynor acted as auctioneer.
Bickham was moved by the support for the foundation since its beginning and in this event. She thanked all the volunteers, attendees and sponsors including lead sponsor Hogg Ranch and Platinum Sponsor Kannonball Insurance. “I proudly and humbly acknowledge this is a collaboration of hundreds of people coming together to making a difference in children’s lives,” she said.
For more information on Morning Star, visit msranch. org.