By Brittany Steffensen, BCHA Community Offerings
It’s not every day you get to celebrate a 50th year of service as one of Boulder County’s most impactful and long lasting nonprofit organizations, but we did it this year with all of you. On the evening of September 26th the Boulder County Horse Association (BCHA), with its supportive and fun community, gathered at the Longmont Museum Swan Atrium to celebrate. It was a long awaited special event, with the joy and comradery seen and felt amongst the new and familiar faces.
The 50th Anniversary & Annual Gathering was a sight to behold. Centerpieces made of horse snacks caught your eye with their bright colors, mouthwatering hor d’oeuvres floated throughout the crowd while everyone sipped from their complimentary BCHA glasses and the tunes from a lone guitarist sounded throughout the space. The room was filled with In-kind donated gifts from local artists and business owners that instigated some friendly silent bidding in support of BCHA. From paintings and jewelry to handmade goods and professional equine services and learning opportunities, we had it all. Not only were the silent auction items unforgettable, so was the special guest speaker Dr. Tamar McKee, PhD.
A local of Boulder, Colorado, Tamar had us all captivated with her presentation; Horse Empowered: how equines help us hold space in times of historic and ecological change. You could hear a pin drop in the room as she so eloquently spoke to the group. Through a mixture of storytelling and historical analysis, McKee created a cinematic view of the history of the areas we know today and the horses and riders that continue to enjoy the lands. She also explored how the landscape and culture of Boulder County has been shaped by the persistence of horses and their people.
To those who joined in on the festivities, we thank you for your continued support, BCHA would not be what it has been, and what it is today without our community. Another big thank you goes out to all of our donors who provided silent auction items in support of our mission; to promote, protect, and advocate for the equestrian community of Boulder County through education, recreation and collaboration. Without your service, our county would not be the same. Our gratitude also goes out to our special guest speaker, our wonderful musician, and all of you who donated your time to make the gathering a huge success this 2021.
Thank you to our Donors
Silent Auction: Barb Fisher, Fine artist; Brittany Steffensen, Open Air Equine; Dr. Meg Bacon, Medicine in Motion Veterinary Services; Dr. Charlotte Obermeier, Boulder & Beyond Equine Veterinary Services; Frances Marino, Equine, Western & Eclectic art; Hilda Armour, BCHA past president 2003, Laurie Prindle, Fine artist; Linda Parks, Parks Jewelry; and Mary Cook, BCHA Member.
Flowers: Fresh Herb Company
Photography: Mea French and Brittany Steffensen
Set up/take down: BCHA volunteers, BCHA board members and family
