The 2019 Eastlink Community TV documentary ‘Somebeachsomewhere: Horse of a Lifetime’ will be shown on Saturday, May 4, at the Mohawk Inn and Conference Centre in Milton, Ont.
Last January, Somebeachsomewhere's battle with cancer left his connections no choice but to euthanize the 13-year-old stallion. In his memory, all funds raised at the film screening will be donated toward equine research at the Ontario Veterinary College, located in Guelph.
"We’re grateful to USHWA Canada for this fundraiser on behalf of OVC equine research. We know from experience that many small donations can make a big difference," said OVC Dean Jeffrey Wichtel, who also shared an unexpected story about how small donations helped a four-legged celebrity of another species.
"When Esther the Wonder Pig needed a full-body scan, 11,000 fans got together this time last year and raised $650,000 to purchase and donate to OVC the only CT scanner in the country large enough to scan pigs. We used it to find and remove Esther’s tumours. But since then, we’ve found it really valuable in scanning standing horses and in our cancer research, helping us to do what we do best ― save lives now and develop better ways to save lives in the future."
Keeping with the theme of small donations that create major impact, admission to the screening of Somebeachsomewhere: Horse of a Lifetime is $10 at the door for adults, with free admission for children (must be accompanied by parent or guardian).
Larger donations for OVC equine research will also be gratefully accepted at the event, which will include a silent auction for an original painting of Somebeachsomewhere by Ontario artist James McQuiggan, kindly contributed by Ontario Harness Horse Association General Manager Brian Tropea.
Doors will open at 3 p.m. for the 4 p.m. screening in the Conservation Hall, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session with a special guest (to be announced).
The fundraising event has been made possible through the cooperation and generous support of OHHA, Eastlink Community TV, and USHWA’s Canadian chapter.
(With files from USHWA)