Show For the Cure 2013 - The Chinas!

This past weekend my son Paul and I had a ball attending the seventh annual edition of the Show for the Cure Live.

The Show for the Cure is one of the two large, annual benefit shows that take place here in the Chicago area.  Show host Jenna Nejman founded the Show for the Cure in 2007, with the hope of raising funds for cancer research.  Each year, the Show for the Cure recognizes a specific cancer, with this year's recognition going to all forms of cancer in our animal friends.  Jenna has been extremely successful in her goal, raising a sum of roughly $25,000 during the first six years!  

Jenna's family and friends assist at the show, providing a warm atmosphere that showers can expect every year.  The event has a large attendance, and the show rings are extremely competitive.  Generous hobbyists worldwide send donations for the auction and raffle tables.  The show offers a host of special perks in the form of goody bags, door prizes, a hot lunch, beautiful awards, and this year, a drawing for a Breyer "Zuni" model!

We didn't win Zuni, but really, everyone who attends this show is a winner because it is such a great time. 

I tried to capture a nice sampling of the stiff competition to share here on the blog. Today I'll focus on the China division, with the other divisions to follow.  

The day started with the "Other" breeds division,  with drafter class running first.  A wide variety of manufacturers was represented.   

Eberl "Gustav" sculpture and Breyer "Breeds of the World" Clydesdale

Animal Artistry piece (left) and another Eberl "Gustav" sculpture (right)

Animal Artistry Percheron Sculpture

Royal Worcester owned by Julie Bailey

Pony class followed, bringing just as much diversity as did drafters. 

Two Pour Horse Ottos on the far side of the table, with an Animal Artistry piece on the near. 

Royal Worcester Welsh Pony owned by Brenda Metcalf. 

"Blubby," a North Light pony owned by Paul Beeson. 

China judge Lisa Esping certainly had her work cut out for her!  I checked in later with the chinas to find these three beautiful, vintage Hagen-Renakers displayed at one end of the table...

Hagen-Renaker Designer's Workshop Arabians

and these two large Azahm sculptures at the other end. 

China Azahms to the rear, with a palmino Beswick foal and a Lynn Fraley foal to the front. 

Sport class brought a surprise for me in the form of not one but two of the Starlight brand pieces. I had never seen these two sculptures in person, or in photos with other models for size comparison. I was delighted by the rich, shimmery colors and large size. Like my own photos, I suspect that most photos will not do these pieces justice due to the high gloss, pearlescent finish, which is stunning when seen by the eye. 

Starlight Brand Model

Starlight brand model (extremely washed out by the flash). 

I may have pictured the next model on the blog before, but her spectacular coloring is worth a second look. 

Carol Williams TB Mare Sculpture in China

Bogucki Saddlebred Weanling Sculpture

At the end of the day, the Overall Reserve Champion went to Brenda Metcalf's Large Zara, with the Grand going to Julie Bailey's Royal Worcester draft!

Come back again, as more photos from the Show for the Cure are soon to come!