Organizers of the third annual SaddleUp! and Pack Your Bags: A Denver Suitcase Party weren’t kidding when they advised guests to arrive at the hangar at Centennial Airport last Friday night with bags packed and ready to go.
Because while the rest of the guests would be eating, drinking and enjoying music by “American Idol” contestant and , two couples would board a private Learjet and fly off to Paso Robles, Calif., for a fun-filled weekend at . And, just as the jet was reaching its cruising altitude, two other couples would toss their suitcases into the trunk of a limousine and head to Vail for a luxurious two-day stay at the
Lisa Antonopoulos and Lance Cherry won the drawing for the wine country trip, an adventure that included gourmet meals, a tour and tasting conducted by owner Beau Bianchi, even ziplining. Their traveling companions were Anna Berglund Brick and boyfriend Eric Preston, who placed a $12,000 winning bid in the live auction called by Gary Corbett.
Sarah Berry and Mike Brennan, along with Sarah and James Archibald III, were the winners of the Vail weekend, an experience that included dinner at the acclaimed . Liken, who has appeared on and attended SaddleUp! and Pack Your Bags, and accompanied the winners on the ride up to Vail.
Louise Richardson, Michele Gebhart and Shery McDonald-Galbreath chaired SaddleUp! and Pack Your Bags, which netted $150,000 for the and the equine therapy programs that it offers for individuals with special needs. McDonald-Galbreath founded SaddleUp! 11 years ago and is president of its board of directors.
The treasurer of the SaddleUp! board, James Bossert, senior vice president for business development at , a sponsor of the event, also sold the most tickets for it: 128.
Guests included Gina and Darrell Ratliff, who donated over $10,000 worth of Borlino leather bags used in the prize packages; the president of Brakes Plus, Dean Pisciotta, and his wife, Colleen; Amanda Wassenaar, controller of BMW Colorado, and her husband, Ron; Eileen Greenberg; Keith and Cindi Burge; David MacLeod and Kasia Iwaniczko MacLeod; Donna Montgomery; Chris Comer and John Bourne; Dianne and Dr. Max Batlett; and Lisa and Mark Holste. She is the co-founder of ellabelle, a new line of activewear for women that launches on Friday with a fashion show at Colorado Golf Club that benefits SaddleUp!.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, jdavidson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/getitwrite
