42 SIDELINES NOVEMBER 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
School and Day Camp.” Eventually, the family
opened MacNair’s Country Acres, a thriving Wake
County horse farm.
Picking Up the Reins
In the end, Joan accepted Pat’s invitation to serve
on the Duke Children’s Show committee and worked
closely with Helen Idol, Ron Wood and Josh Hewitt
from Duke Children’s development office and the
horse show committee members for several years
to ensure the event’s success.
When Pat stepped down from her role as
chairman of the committee, Joan took the reins and
has managed the show under contract ever since. “I
am dedicated to continue making miracles happen
for children,” she said.
Fundraising efforts are vital in supporting the
hospital. Funds raised by the horse show are used
to support research, offer special programs and
provide assistance to patients and their families
through gift cards or vouchers for gas, transportation
and other expenses.
“Duke Children’s Hospital does not turn away any
child in need,” said Josh Hewitt, associate director of
development at Duke Children’s Hospital & Health
Center. “Therefore, we rely on the support of our community.
Events such as the horse show help to spread the word about the
good work that is taking place at Duke Children’s.”
The local community is instrumental in the show’s success. “The
horse show is unique and what is even better is that it was started
by community members and not the hospital itself,” Josh said. “This
was and continues to be a community effort and Duke Children’s
is incredibly grateful for the support, passion and dedication from
our community, especially Joan and her committee.”
Full Circle
The Jump for Children Show is a legacy Joan sees as her
responsibility to pass onto the younger generation. Cam (Joan’s
daughter), Leah and Rachel Bergman competed together in the
show’s inaugural event in 1984. The three women are still involved
in the sport and all volunteer time to assist the show committee.
As fate would have it, one of these women who
competed in the event as a carefree youth in 1984, would
one-day benefit from the generosity of its supporters.
Rachel spent a month on bed rest at Duke Children’s while
pregnant with her daughter. Born at just 26 weeks and one
day, her daughter weighed only one pound 15 ounces and was
36 centimeters long. Her daughter spent three months in the
neonatal intensive care nursery. Because of the wonderful care
from Duke Children’s, Rachel’s daughter is now a happy healthy,
active toddler.
Carrying on the Tradition
“Looking back, I saw Pat’s invitation as an opportunity to do
what I loved, working with children and horses and affecting a
change in the lives of children at Duke Children’s Hospital,” Joan
said.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary, this year’s event will honor
and thank all of the volunteers who have helped make the show
a success year after year, including show founder Pat Holsten.
Joan anticipates 1,200 spectators will attend the highlight of the
five-day event, the $30,000 Duke Children’s Grand Prix event on
Saturday evening. This year will also be the first time the show will
offer a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.
“We are honored to host the hunter derby on Friday evening,
sponsored by Dr. Betsee Parker,” Joan said, adding that the derby
will attract top hunters from around the country to compete. “We
truly know that the Jump for the Children Horse Show is not just
another horse show, but a horse show that makes a difference.”
The Jump for the Children Horse Show will take place
November 5 – 10 and will benefit the Duke Children’s Hospital &
Health Center. The show is located at the Hunt Horse Complex.
4601 Trinity Road, Raleigh, North Carolina (across from the
Carter Finley Stadium)
.
Highlights include a $10,000 USHJA
International Hunter Derby sponsored by Dr. Betsee Parker on
Friday, November 8 and a $30,000 Grand Prix on Saturday,
November 9. For more information visit jumpforthechildren.org or
and click on the Duke Show.
About the writer: Katie Navarra has worked as a freelance writer in the horse
industry for 12 years. She has been a lifelong horse lover and recently purchased a
Dun Quarter Horse mare with hopes of re-entering the show ring in 2014.
The Jump for the Children Horse Show is a fundraiser for the
Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center.
Presentation of the $30,000 Duke Children’s Grand Prix 2012 Winner Hillary
Simpson. Joan, in long black skirt, is joined by Josh Hewitt from Duke
Children’s development office, second from right, and Joan’s husband, Glenn,
far right.
Photo courtesy of Anne Gittins Photography
