On Wednesday, August 24, 2016, after the evening performance of the Kentucky State Fair World's Championship Horse Show, a sold-out crowd of more than 500 guests attended the annual American Saddlebred Museum benefit in the North Wing’s Saddlebred Café. The evening gave exhibitors a break from the week’s competition to relax with friends while raising money for the Museum. This year, the theme was “Back to the Eighties: Puttin on the Hits” and featured lip sync battles of '80s songs performed by 12 horse show celebrities.
The contestants were Rich Campbell vs. Tammy Devore; Rose Marie and Sallie-Mason Wheeler vs. Chad and Todd Graham; Donna Pettry-Smith and Lance Hayes vs. Mary and Evan Orr; and Gerhardt Roos vs. Jim Lowry. Each competitor spent innumerable hours rehearsing and selecting themed costumes, and several gathered back up “singers." Decked out in a long, blonde wig, Rich opened the show lip syncing to Whitesnake’s "Here I Go Again;" Tammy rocked out to AC/DC’s "You Shook Me All Night Long;" the youngest competitors, Rose Marie and Sallie-Mason, performed "Jump" by Kriss Kross; the Graham brothers stormed the stage to "Walk This Way" by Run DMC/Aerosmith; Donna and Lance, impersonating Hillary and Bill Clinton, lip synced to Michael Jackson’s "Beat It;" Mary and Evan transformed into Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers and performed a medley of their biggest hits; Gerhart Roos was unrecognizable as Boy George lip syncing to "Karma Chameleon;" and Jim Lowry, aka Prince, brought the house down in a purple-hazed finale by lip syncing "Let’s Go Crazy."
After the performances, party attendees voted with their dollars for their favorite lip sync competitor or team while enjoying a sumptuous buffet, drinks and a live auction of five select items. The unique auction items included a visit to the set of the popular show "Shark Tank;" a trip to the 2016 Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup; a stay in a private villa in Sayulito, Mexico; a collection of cult cabernets; and a trip to a private villa in St. Lucia. After the votes were tabulated, emcee David “Tuffy” Owens announced Tammy Devore had raised the most funds for the Museum and declared her the winner of the “golden” microphone trophy.
The American Saddlebred Museum is grateful to the many supporters whose generous sponsorships, donations and purchases ensured the success of this event. This highly anticipated, annual party continues to grow each year. Remember to reserve booths, tables or tickets early next year to be part of the fun.
-- via ASB Museum