USEF Network

Grand Prix de Santa Fe Announces 2007 Donations and 2008 Plans

RELEASE: January 24, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Phyllis Gonzales

Grand Prix de Santa Fe, Santa Fe’s most prestigious horse show, is pleased to announce the donation of $35,000 in net proceeds from its 2007 annual show-jumping event to New Mexico social service and equestrian non-profit organizations. Beneficiaries include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern New Mexico, New Mexico Suicide Intervention Project, Silver Bullet Productions, Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust, Santa Fe Pro Musica’s Youth Programs, The Horse Shelter and Rancho Corazon Riders.

Since its inception in 2004, the Grand Prix de Santa Fe, a 501(c)(3) organization, has donated $82,700 to equestrian and social service organizations in New Mexico.

Each year, the quality of and participation in the Grand Prix de Santa Fe continues to grow. In 2007, the event moved to its new home upon the grand prix field of Las Campanas Santa Fe, a luxury home development in northwest Santa Fe and the title class sponsor of the Grand Prix de Santa Fe. An estimated 3,000 spectators, both VIP and general public, enjoyed the many aspects of Las Campanas’ world-renowned hospitality. Competitors in the event, totaling 160 entries, vied for prize money of $49,500 against a backdrop of blue sky and rolling hills of pinon and juniper. Allison Kroff of Mesa, AZ, riding Nomograf, took first prize in the $30,000 Las Campanas Grand Prix, the show’s main event.

Organizers estimate that the event brings over $800,000 in commerce to the Santa Fe community each year. The event is supported by sponsors, including numerous businesses and individuals throughout the Southwest, as well as advertisers, vendors and ticket sales. The event remains free to the general public.

2008 Event Plans
The fifth annual Grand Prix de Santa Fe will be held at the Las Campanas Santa Fe Grand Prix Field June 12-15, 2008. Prize money awarded to exhibitors will increase to $65,000 as new classes are added and prize money increases to $40,000 for the event’s top grand prix class.

The Grand Prix de Santa Fe, Inc., is operated by a five-member board of directors, including Phyllis Gonzales; co-founders Brian Gonzales and Guy McElvain; Caroline Stevenson, Equestrian Director, Las Campanas Santa Fe; Dan Monte, Senior Vice President/Trust Manager, Los Alamos National Bank.