Horse, Art Event to Aid Injured Sculptor

After a fall during a riding competition seriously damaged his brain, Simi Valley sculptor Peter Madsen spent years struggling to regain control of his hands.

Through physical therapy, he slowly regained motion in his left leg and arm, enough to draw pictures using computer paint programs and a mouse. But the treatment has not come cheap.

With years of therapy stretching before him, Madsen’s friends and family have organized a fund-raising horse show and art auction to help pay the bills.

The event, called “Celebration of Life,” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, the same center where Madsen had his riding accident.

“It’s going to be a little bit tough to be there,” said Madsen’s wife, Vickie. “But it should be a good event.”

Phil Spangenberger’s American Adventure Wild West Show will demonstrate feats of horsemanship and reenact scenes of frontier life. Proceeds from an art auction--including work from Madsen and western artists Neil Boyle, Steve Nighthawk, Vic Riesau--will also be used to buy Madsen a new computer for his art.

A $5 donation is requested at the door but not required.