It was an evening of ballgowns and tuxedos, silent and live auctions, recognitions and awards; most of all it was an evening of gratitude. Executive Director, Muriel Forest, and her husband, Mark, were the ever congenial hosts for gala guests – volunteers, sponsors, families, trainers, clergy, and friends. The evening’s master of ceremonies, Connor Forrest, helped keep everyone’s attention on the mission of the event as well as that of Wheatland Farm.
Executive Director, Muriel Forrest 
Mark Forrest, Irish Tenor
The gala was held in the beautiful Middleburg Ballroom of the Salamander Resort and Spa in Middleburg, Virginia. Special guests and keynote speakers were none other than Olympic Event Rider, Boyd Martin, and his wife, Silva Martin, Grand Prix dressage rider.
As guests were seated for the elegant dinner, awards were presented. The Volunteers of the Year awards went to Jennifer Carr Connor and Russ Marino. The Perrot Family received the Family of the Year Award. David and Tierney Able received the Service Award.
Wayne and Saskia Florence 
Reggie and Linda Cooper 
Brooke and Steve Waldron 
Silva and Boyd Martin
With the theme of gratitude, Boyd and Silva Martin shared their stories of overcoming very daunting odds. Wheatland Farm offers comprehensive help to families of special needs children who face daunting challenges daily. They provide help with assistive equipment whether repairing a wheelchair so a child can resume riding a school bus; lending wheelchairs and other available equipment to fill a void; they offer swimming lessons, therapeutic riding and hippotherapy to children with special needs as well as to their family members; and an adaptive hair salon.
Equestrian therapy is available for the special needs children and their siblings. The Forrests believe that it is important to help keep families together in their activities so that the entire family can enjoy the activities together. In addition to therapeutic riding, Wheatland Farm is a para-dressage center – one of five in the United States. They frequently provide riding clinics for all levels including able-bodied riders. Boyd Martin has held several eventing clinics there this year.
In her “State of the Farm Report,” Muriel told the audience that over 110 children come to Wheatland Farm every week. “In 2019, Wheatland Farm was officially named a United States Pony Club Riding Center. We are most grateful for the encouragement and support of Mrs. Hope Hand, president of the United States Para-Equestrian Riding Association. In 2019, Wheatland Farm was the first Pony Club Riding Center in the United States to hold ratings and competitions for para-equestrian riders and their non-disabled peers riding side-by-side. “ In 2019, every program grew and helped more children and their families.
With intentions of excellence in everything that is offered at Wheatland Farm, the Gala, in addition to being a major fundraiser presented thought provoking commentary that every life is precious and should be valued and optimized to the highest degree possible.
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