'The Betsy' Raises $80,000 for Markey Cancer Center

[IMAGE1]LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2009) -- About 350 people attended "The Betsy" gala hosted by the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute at the Kentucky Horse Park on Sept. 18, raising $80,000 for the Markey Cancer Foundation.

The gala was held during the $50,000 CSI-W Lexington Grand Prix, a World Cup Qualifier and the final class in the Hagyard Challenge Series. The evening began with cocktails and dinner, followed by an auction and finally culminating in the show jumping event.  The Betsy is named in honor of the late Betsy Fishback, wife of Hagyard veterinarian Dave Fishback and a beloved member of the sport horse community, who died in January of breast cancer. Organizers plan to make The Betsy an annual event.

"The Markey Cancer Center has helped three Hagyard people recently: an employee, a father and a spouse," said Dr. Andrew Clark, CEO of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. "We see the Hagyard-Markey relationship as a way for Hagyard to help Markey to assist people in our community in their time of need. We are already looking forward to The Betsy in 2010."

Alex Boone, Markey Cancer Foundation trustee, said The Betsy was the result of the dedicated efforts of a group of people who came up with the idea and put it into action.

"Within 60 days of the birth of an idea to honor Betsy Fishback and benefit The Markey Cancer Foundation, a group of people came together," Boone said. "The cooperation that occurred amongst this group and many others was truly amazing and the results reflect that."