Pavilion Party Raises Trauma Center Funds

Sunday Afternoon in the Shade

WestMed Gold Club, a support group for Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, was host for a party at the Orange County Fairgrounds on Sunday in conjunction with the Orange County Horse Show Assn.’s championship finals. About 250 VIPs crowded two white tents ringside and watched local riders put their mounts through their paces. Out there--on the ground, in the riding ring, in the free bleacher seats--the sun shined blindingly bright. Benefit guests enjoyed a shady view of events, as well as a lavish buffet lunch and pay-per-order service bar. The party raised about $30,000, which will be used to buy cardiology equipment for the hospital’s trauma center.

Four-Legged Attractions

The riders--all of whom had won in previous OCHSA-sanctioned shows--competed in hunter, high jump and relay classes. Among contestants in the four-day show, which culminated with Sunday’s benefit, was Karen Lucian, a Newport Beach stockbroker and owner of a horse named “Capital Gains.” Eyeing the raffle table, Lucian cut a stylish figure in her shiny black boots, tan riding breeches and Western hat with a three-foot turquoise feather tucked in its band. Asked how she fared in the riding ring, Lucian smiled. Capital Gains “won one championship and two reserve championships,” she said. All by himself? “Well, I was riding him,” she added, laughing, “but you always say the horse won.” Causing a stir behind one of the tents were two miniature horses grazing in a pen that would cramp some large dogs. While the tiny equines nibbled grass and whisked flies with their little tails, a crowd of onlookers gathered. Howard Larnard, president of WestMed Gold Club, lifted his granddaughter, Kellie, so she could get a better view. Larnard, who lives with his wife, Ann, in the horsy Nellie Gale community in Laguna Hills, admitted that he is a soft touch for his granddaughter. Kellie, meanwhile, threw her arms around grandpa’s neck and said how much she’d like a horse of her own. “It’s no fun riding unless you have your own horse,” she said.

Ringside

Marianne Boyd, a hospital support group member, was co-chairwoman for the event, with Mike Braun, OCHSA president. Their committee included Robert Boullon, Corinne Brewster, Ron Elliott, Devon McVey and Trudy Passo. Also attending were Dr. Michael Callaghan, an orthopedic specialist at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, and his wife, Naomi; the hospital CEO David Morgan and his wife, Kyoko, and Dr. John West, founder of the Orange County Trauma Society.