On Thursday, May 19th Drs. Dave Fishback and Ernie Martinez presented the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation with a check for $76,750 in proceeds from The Betsy, an annual gala event held in memory of Fishback’s late wife, Betsy Fishback. The presentation was done prior to one of the first Hagyard Challenge Series Grand Prix events of the season at the Kentucky Horse Park.
The Betsy is held each September on the championship night of the Hagyard Challenge Series, which is an equestrian Grand Prix show jumping competition. The Betsy includes a buffet dinner, live auction and Calcutta auction (the only legal way to gamble on show jumping) in conjunction with the $65,000 “The Betsy” Grand Prix and money raised through the event is used to fund cancer research and treatment at the UK Markey Cancer Center, where the late Fishback was a patient.
A legend in the Lexington equestrian community, Betsy Fishback co-founded the Midway University equine program and coached the University of Kentucky Equestrian Team, as well as taught riding lessons out of the Fishback family’s Trackside Farm. Fishback sat on numerous boards, including the Masterson Equestrian Trust Foundation, Kentucky Hunter Jumper Association (of which she was once the director), the Keeneland Pony Club and the Pisgah Historical District.
This year’s Betsy Gala will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016. Tickets will be available via the UK Markey Cancer Foundation.