Our Carolina Foothills has teamed up with Friends of Alison Leclerc to create a special ART OF THE HORSE calendar, with the purpose of raising funds for a well-known trainer and competitor.

All proceeds from the sale of the ART OF THE HORSE calendars will go to the ​Support​ ​of Alison Leclerc Fund​. Money from the fund will help cover Leclerc’s continued therapy and rehabilitation expenses.

Leclerc had a very serious riding accident locally in June that resulted in her fracturing several cervical vertebrae. She has had surgery, and is currently receiving extensive physical rehabilitation at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta.

While she is gaining movement and dexterity in her arms and hands, the eventual outcome of her spinal cord injury is still uncertain

The calendar contains 15 of the decorated model horses, which will go to auction in October, plus one additional special commission horse. The calendar captures the artwork of each of these painted ponies, as well as the backdrop of many places unique in the Foothills, and tells a brief story of the horse and their artists.

The horse selected for the cover is titled “In the Spotlight,” by artist Laurie Sullivan. She designed this horse specifically with the World Equestrian Games — currently taking place through Sunday at Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring — in mind.

“The 2108 FEI World Equestrian Games held at TIEC places the entire Foothills area ‘In the Spotlight,’” Sullivan said. “This design shows the eight disciplines of equestrian sport being featured in the world games, each one carrying its own spotlight within a golden circle. The disciplines are all different, and they all bring a variety of dedicated fans and spectators to support and cheer them on. The overall background of a dark bay horse with flashy white points provides a dramatic backdrop for the golden circles, further allowing the individual equestrian sports to shine.”

For more information on Our Carolina Foothills or ART OF THE HORSE, people may contact Mindy Wiener at 323-228-4059 or ​mindy@ourcarolinafoothills.com​.

– Submitted by Mindy Wiener