Back in the Saddle Again! The Portuguese Bend National Horse Show Returns! By Maureen Hazard
Back in the Saddle Again! The Portuguese Bend National Horse Show Returns!
By Maureen Hazard
With the pandemic sidelining the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show (PBNHS) in 2020, everyone has been especially excited to, “Jump Back into the Ring with Love” this year to welcome its much anticipated return at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates September 10-12. Hosted by the Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital (PCCH), all proceeds benefit Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and specifically this year, The Associates Chair in Endocrinology and The Associates Chair in Transplant Surgery.
Time to Celebrate
What makes the horse show even more special this year, is that PCCH is celebrating the 100th birthday milestone of its beloved founder, Betty Davidson. Without Betty’s concerted efforts back in the day, PCCH wouldn’t be here now preparing for their highly regarded A-rated horse show, which has raised more than $18 million for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) over the years.
Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital beloved founder, Betty Davidson, on her 100th birthday in June.
A Call for Help
It all started back in 1957 when the indomitable Mary Duque of CHLA called up Betty’s great friend Betty Learned to see if she could help raise money for a new recovery room at CHLA. Well, Betty called Betty and the two industrious women rounded up an impressive posse of a dozen more talented young ladies on the Hill. And just like that, the all-volunteer, tight-knit and dedicated PCCH family was born.
It was Betty, (along with another dynamic founding member, Oral Dryden), who suggested that PCCH host a horse show in 1958 to raise money for CHLA. Because it was “a little horse show by the sea,” Betty devised PCCH’s timeless seahorse logo, and thanks to her personal connections with Roy Register, one of the top trainers of the day, the show attracted many elite trainers and their fine horses, which gave immediate stature to the brand-new event. Naturally, it was Betty and Oral who led the charge as co-chairmen of that first horse show, and at 100 years young, Betty is still as vital as ever - sitting on the board, attending meetings and events, and zooming in during the pandemic shut down to continue blessing us with her wisdom.
Don’t Miss It!
The PBNHS Horse Show has two fully scheduled rings offering a wide variety of classes that challenge some of the West Coast's finest riders with difficult and exciting courses. The weekend’s activities include a hometown atmosphere created through an array of festive food booths, boutiques and activities for children. So come on down and have some good old-fashioned fun at the horse show and be sure to wish Betty a Happy Birthday if you happen to see her!
Decked out in their signature blue checked shirts, PCCH Founder Betty Davidson (center), with Flora Fairchild (left) and Mary DiMatteo (right).
About Peninsula Committee Children’s Hospital (PCCH):
PCCH is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that raises money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Founded in 1957 when a group of women from the South Bay were asked to help generate funds for a new recovery unit at CHLA, PCCH has grown to more than 170 South Bay families who volunteer all year long with the shared goal of helping the kids who need it most. The committee sponsors the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show in early September, as well as the Seahorse Classic golf tournament in the spring. Since its inception, PCCH has donated over 18 million dollars to CHLA.
About Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Founded in 1901, Children's Hospital Los Angeles is the highest-ranked children’s hospital in California and fifth in the nation on the prestigious U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll of best children’s hospitals. U.S. News ranks Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in all 10 specialty categories. Clinical care at the hospital is led by physicians who are faculty members of the Keck School of Medicine of USC through an affiliation dating from 1932. The hospital also operates the largest pediatric residency training program at a freestanding children’s hospital in the Western United States. The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is home to all basic, translational, clinical and community research conducted at the hospital, allowing proven discoveries to quickly reach patients. Our mission: to create hope and build healthier futures.
To learn more, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter, and visit our blog at CHLA.org/blog.
Maureen Hazard is the 2021-22 Publicity Chair for Peninsula Committee Children's Hospital (PCCH), an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that raises money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). Founded in 1957 when a group of women from the South Bay were asked to help generate funds for a new recovery unit at CHLA, PCCH has grown to more than 170 South Bay families who volunteer all year long with the shared goal of helping the kids who need it most. The committee sponsors the Portuguese Bend National Horse Show in early September, as well as the Seahorse Classic golf tournament in the spring. Over the past 60 years, PCCH has donated over 18 million dollars to CHLA. This year all funds raised will support The Associates Chair in Endocrinology and The Associates Chair in Transplant Surgery. For more information, please visit www.pcch.net.
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