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______________________________ Current Auction Hat The
Derby Hat Collection by MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® ______________________________
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Please join us once again for The
Seventh Annual
The
“Mixed Pleasure” Hat
For the seventh consecutive year, MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® of Cape Cod and Old Friends of Kentucky are teaming up again for an unparalleled online shopping experience that begins November 1st with their "Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby" auction. This unique Derby hat fundraiser is an annual event which features one-of-a-kind couture Derby hats created and donated by Sally Faith Steinmann of MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® to benefit the retired racehorses of Old Friends.
The
second hat up for bid in our auction series was created as a
tribute to Mixed Pleasure who, at the time of his passing in
October, was 30 years young and the oldest living descendent of
the great racehorse, Seabiscuit. Rescued in
2012 at the age of 27 from a trip to auction by Charlotte
Farmer and the nationwide advocacy group Equi-Army-NDO.com,
Mixed Pleasure was retired to Old Friends, Kentucky, on
July 18, 2012.
“Mixy” or “Bo”, as he was affectionately called by many who knew him, enjoyed more than three years as a beloved member of the Old Friends family and in tribute, MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® has created a very special millinery design to celebrate his life. Bidding on the “Mixed Pleasure” hat has ended. Stay tuned for the next auction starting January 1st! _______________________________________________________________________________
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As is so often the case with the racehorses who retire to Dream Chase Farm, Mixed Pleasure managed to touch the hearts of everyone who knew him in a very personal and individual way. In an Old Friends press release, Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends, was quoted as saying, “It's always heartbreaking to lose one of our horses. But at the time of his death Mixed Pleasure was surrounded by those who loved him most. Our vet Bryan Waldridge was here to help him, as were our farm managers Tim Wilson and Carol Oates. Most importantly, Mixy spent his last moments with his best friend, John Bradley, one of our dedicated volunteers who was Mixed Pleasure's friend and caretaker these last three years. Mixed Pleasure was one of the kindest and easy going stallions we've ever had,” Blowen added, “and he will be sorely missed.”
When I asked Charlotte Farmer for her impressions of Mixed Pleasure she wrote, “In those soft brown eyes of Bo there was a story, a story of perseverance. He carried the Seabiscuit bloodline but it was Bo, not his bloodline, that placed an indelible hoofprint on everyone who came in contact with him either face-to-face or through social media. Class does show itself and Bo aka Mixed Pleasure demonstrated that throughout his life.” John Bradley, a volunteer at Old Friends who brought him shredded carrots every day and perhaps knew Mixed Pleasure best writes,“The farm seems a little different since my best friend has passed, this is the unfortunate part of the cycle when we care for these grand thoroughbreds. There are still over a hundred residents that still need us to provide their daily care, so we must continue on, more will come. Thank you Mixed Pleasure, you gave me the greatest gift a horse could bestow upon a human, you taught me how to care for a horse. You were the most patient of teachers and the lessons you passed on to me will benefit many more in the future. None will ever be more special and someday there may be another, but in my opinion you will always be the greatest horse ever born.”
Clearly, a very special hat was needed to pay tribute to this kind-hearted, much beloved member of Old Friends. The resulting hat design showcases Mixed Pleasure's lovely red-chestnut coat, his gentle yet spirited personality and Sal Longo's racing silk colors of bold blue and yellow. The foundation of the “Mixed Pleasure” hat was fashioned as a flat wide brim hat design using red-tinted chestnut dupioni silk for the foundation. A deep yellow taffeta underbrim creates a vibrant, colorful effect when the wearer's face is upturned.
Layers of ruffled chocolate organza were used for the outer brim layers to reflect the movement of the Thoroughbred athlete at full gallop. A chocolate fancy braiding was then top stitched to the ruffled brim edges.
A large Marguerite, sculpted out of several shades of yellow organza, adorns the front of the hat. The center of the Marguerite is a rose curl in royal blue silk organza with a beaded center created out of shimmering royal blue seed beads that were swirled to form a whirlpool of blue. Next, a medley of sheer royal blue silk organza leaves, individually wired and shaped, were fashioned to frame the Marguerite.
Dozens of long slender blue and yellow silk organza “feathers”, a MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® trademark, were carefully stitched, layered and then shaped to cradle the Marguerite. Several free form “bow loops” created out of wispy mocha chocolate hat veiling were then set behind the feathers for a touch of soft, wispy elegance.
A bright blue dupioni silk sash, folded in layers, was fashioned to encircle the crown of the hat.
For the finishing touch, a royal blue button adorns the back of the hat.
A bright yellow taffeta was chosen for the lining of the “Mixed Pleasure” to match the underbrim. The finished “Mixed Pleasure” hat design measures approximately 25 inches across inclusive of the ruffled brim layers.
As a physical remembrance of Mixed Pleasure, several strands of the stallion's tail hair were braided and woven into the trim of the hat, creating a unique, one-of-a-kind Derby chapeau that captures Mixed Pleasure not only in spirit but in substance as well. The purpose of this amazing millinery delight is to honor the life of Mixed Pleasure and all of the horses who, thanks to the generosity of those who support their aftercare, now graze in the warm sunshine of Dream Chase Farm for the rest of their lives. "Sally Faith Steinmann's works of millinery art have raised thousands of dollars and a priceless amount of awareness for all these great retired athletes. Their stunning beauty and indescribable originality symbolize what one great artist can do to positively alter the lives of so many deserving athletes." - Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends Hats off to you, Mixed Pleasure!
___________________________________________________________________________________ Bidding on the “Mixed Pleasure” hat has ended. Stay tuned for the next auction starting January 1st! To read more about Mixed Pleasure, the horse, please click on the following link - Featured Horse. __________________________________________________________________ Bid as many times and on as many hats as you like during this running auction. For further information about the eBay bidding process, please contact Old Friends at 502-863-1775. If you don't desire to place a bid on a hat, please contact Old Friends to see about what other ways you might be able to help out at Dream Chase Farm. Freight charges will be at the expense of the winning bidder. Winning bidders, please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery of your hat in order to ensure proper sizing. To view the couture Derby hats from previous auctions, please click on the following - Old Friends Hat Auction Portfolio.
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