Whistler Real Estate Co Ltd, #137- 4370 Lorimer Road, Whistler, BC V0N 1B4

CET Fundraiser Gala 'Any Swing Goes' A Real Success
Toronto, ON
Photos: Anthony Trollope/EWBNews.com

November 19, 2005 marked the inaugural event of the Canadian Equestrian Team's (CET) fundraising efforts to help send the CET to the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany (WEG). Over 350 attendees, having a wide-range of equine related interests, gathered together to support the cause and enjoyed an evening of festivities at Toronto's Airport Renaissance Hotel.

Following a scrumptious four-course meal, there was a Silent Auction and guests proved they were all too ready to get started with their Holiday Season shopping. Not to be outdone was the GTA Swing Band, a live eighteen-piece-band that kept the dance floor busy from start to finish. Master of Ceremonies, actor Harvey Atkin, captured everyone's attention as he led guests through the exciting Live Auction.

As Chair of the CET Gala Committee, Alan Law commented on his appreciation of the support shown by guests and CET athletes alike. "With Ian Millar leading the way as Honorary Chair of the evening, we had no less than thirty of our country's top High Performance athletes from Dressage, Driving, Eventing, Para-Equestrian and Show Jumping attend Any Swing Goes" said Law. "On the heels of a long competitive season and relentless travel schedule this is a real testament to their support of the CET."

To the delight of the CET Gala Committee, this monumental gala got the fundraising ball rolling and raised in excess of $50 000.  However, since WEG transportation costs alone are expected to exceed $600,000, there is still a pressing need to raise funds for next August's Games.

In addition to raising funds for the CET, this gala also served to raise funds for an extremely important cause – breast cancer. 10% of the event's proceeds were given to the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  The organization was represented at the Gala by Barbara Holden Sinclair, Board of Directors, and Meredith Marr, Director of Development. After thanking the CET for its donation, Holden Sinclair addressed recent advances in breast cancer research, diagnosis and treatment.