Competition, Food--and Some Clothes Horses
At Sunday’s Oaks Fall Classic equestrian competition and Hunt Breakfast it was hard to tell which was more entertaining: the horses or the people.
More than 1,000 people, including many of Orange County’s most prominent political and social figures, attended the annual benefit hosted by Joan Irvine Smith at her oak-lined Equestrian Center in San Juan Capistrano. Guests paid $150 each, or $200 if they wanted to sit close to the action in the coveted Winner’s Circle seats, to attend the elegant breakfast. The event was expected to raise about $150,000 for the UCI College of Medicine.
People Watching
“I came to watch the people, not the horses,” admitted Anne Lester, who attended with her husband, John.
Guests, among them former Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater, father of event chairwoman Peggy Goldwater Clay, mingled beneath a white canopy while the hunter/jumper competitions were unfolding on the course a few yards away. Along with classic suits and jackets, guests sported plenty of cowboy boots and hats.
“This brings something different to Orange County than the usual formal fund-raisers,” said Janet Curci-Walsh, a member of the executive committee who wore a cowboy hat embellished with leather appliques and rhinestones.
“I love this event because I used to raise horses,” she said. “It’s unique and beautiful.”
Breakfast Is Served
Chefs at food stations prepared omelets stuffed with guests’ choice of fillings: shrimp, caviar, avocado, mushrooms, cheese and other goodies. Buffet tables topped with massive floral arrangements were stocked with waffles, ham, sausage, bagels, muffins and croissants, with lox, cream cheese and jams on the side. Sundae carts for those with a sweet tooth featured ice cream piled high with a choice of toppings.
Breakfast ended with a brief appearance by Joan Irvine Smith’s mother, Athalie Clarke, and a salute to Smith that included a letter from Gov. Pete Wilson.
“The success of this event is due to the generosity of Joan Irvine Smith in opening her ranch,” Clay said.
Among the guests were Ed and Floss Schumacher, past event chairwoman, Dr. Walter Henry, vice chancellor of health services at UC Irvine, and his wife Maria del Carmen Calvo, Shari Esayian, Lillian Fluor, Barbara Harris, Charles and Nora Hester, Donna Howard, Kathleen Jones, Rudy Lukes, Les and Mary Earle McCraw, Albert and Tricia Nichols, Mary Roosevelt, Dottie Stillwell, James and Madeline Swinden, Catherine Thyen, Aissa and Melinda Wayne, and Lon and Mary Ann Wells.
