Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 01, 2002

RECORD CROWD ATTENDS AT 5TH ANNUAL NEW ALBANY CLASSIC, OVER $1 MILLION RAISED

(COLUMBUS) - With a record crowd of more than 10,000 and over $1 million raised to benefit the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, the fifth annual New Albany Classic Invitational Grand Prix and Family Day offered families a wonderful day of world class equestrian sports and live entertainment. The classic was held on the grounds of the home of Les and Abigail Wexner in New Albany, Ohio on Sunday, September 22, 2002 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Rider Aaron Vale and his horse Nonix Le Parc won the Classic, competing in a class of 29 of North America's top professional riders, including 11 former members of the United States and Canadian Olympic Equestrian Teams. The Classic is an USA Equestrian, Inc.-sanctioned event. Riders competed for $50,000 in prize money. In addition, Vale won a two-year lease on a new 2003 Land Rover Discovery, courtesy of Midwestern Auto Group. Rounding out the top five finishers were:

Alison Firestone on Casanova in second
Eric Hasbrouck on Miss Fio in third
Beth Underhill on Altair in fourth
Todd Minikus on Gardenio in fifth

The New Albany Classic offered activities, entertainment and attractions for all ages in a unique setting of beautiful gardens and lawns, and white fences. Highlights included:

A world class Grand Prix jumping event
National and local entertainment headlined by The Broadway Kids, comedian Michael Pritchard, Yumbambe and Prairie Orchid
Clowns, jugglers, face painting, petting zoo
Exciting carnival rides, antique carriage rides
Educational and fun activities by COSI on Wheels, the Wexner Center for the Arts, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, BalletMet, ProMusica and others
Silent auction with more than 180 donated items, including dinners, vacation packages, concerts, jewelry, sports memorabilia and more
Autograph session with Hometown Heroes, including astronaut Dr. Kathy Sullivan of COSI; OSU basketball star Clark Kellogg; OSU football greats William White, two-time Heisman trophy winner Archie Griffin, and Chris Spielman and his wife Stefanie; as well as OSU golf star Chris Perry

Entertainment on the Classic stage ran from 10:15 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. The fifth annual New Albany Invitational Grand Prix began at 3 p.m. with a welcoming ceremony and Grand Prix jumping tutorial. The Classic Stage, hosted by WSNY's Dino and Stacy, featured live national and local entertainment throughout the day. Performers included:

The Broadway Kids, youth who perform in shows on Broadway, featured on five hit albums
Comedian Michael Pritchard, San Francisco International Comedy Competition winner
Yumbambe - Columbus' own Latin/Cuban/Jazz group returns with its mix of drums, sax, trumpet, flute and vocalists
Prairie Orchid - a Bluegrass/Country/Folk duo with female vocals infused with music on guitar, dobro, violin, accordion and rhythm instruments
The Ohio State University cheerleaders, marching band and Brutus Buckeye
Blue Jackets' mascot Stinger and Columbus Crew Cat
Exotic animals from the Columbus Zoo and much more

Other popular children's activities and rides were a 24-foot rock climbing wall, a giant slide, a kiddie train, Dizzy Dragon, and various inflatable attractions that provided fun for children and adults.

"The Coalition helps people confronting family violence. Our goal was to host a fundraiser that brings together families for a day of relaxation and fun. For the past five years, we have hosted this event at our home that combines world class equestrian competition featuring the best riders in the sport with attractions and entertainment for family members of all ages. Over the past five years, we have raised more than $5 million to support the Coaltion's work in our community," said Mrs. Wexner.

This year's title sponsors included Bank One, NA; and Limited Brands. Media sponsors for the Classic included WBNS 10TV; The Dispatch Printing Company; Time Warner Cable; and WSNY-FM Sunny 95.

All proceeds from the Classic benefit the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence, founded in 1998 by Mrs. Abigail S. Wexner. Mrs. Wexner is the wife of Limited Brands founder, Les Wexner, and serves as the Coalition's Board Chair. The Coalition's mission is to create a community culture that does not tolerate family violence, and is comprised of leaders from businesses and organizations in Central Ohio committed to reforming our systems to stop the cycle of violence in our community.

The Coalition focuses its work on five touch points - where the victim and societal institutions intersect - with task forces working to create systemic change. These task forces are: Business Community/Public Education, Faith Community, Health Care, Legal System and Victim Services. To learn more, go to www.thecolumbuscoalition.org.

Download and view the New Albany Classic Columbus Dispatch Special Section.
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