Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation

The Seabiscuit Legacy Art Exhibition and Auction, a benefit for Seabiscuit Heritage and Howard Foundation in celebration of fine art and the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit – scheduled on May 22, 2010 at the champion’s home, Ridgewood Ranch, Willits, California.

Inspirational Children’s book, featuring Seabiscuit’s descendant to debut May 22

Authors to conduct a book signing at Seabiscuit’s Legacy Art Exhibition & Benefit Auction

May 3, 2010 – Willits, California: Bunny McLeod and Roni McFadden, co-authors of Josephine-A Tale of Hope and Happy Endings will be conducting a book signing at Seabiscuit’s Legacy themed art exhibition and benefit auction on Saturday, May 22, 5-9:30pm. The book published by “The Biscuit Press” is scheduled to debut at the event. Based on a true story of a Granddaughter of Seabiscuit battles incredible odds, this inspirational children’s book is beautifully illustrated by Sierra Gaston and endorsed by best-selling author Laura Hillenbrand.

The event, in celebration of fine art and the champion racehorse Seabiscuit, is by reservation only.

For ticket information please, contact www.howardfoundation.org or call (707)459-2777. All proceeds from the sale of the children’s book go toward two charitable causes: the new Frank R. Howard Foundation Medical Campus and Wellness Center, and T.R.A.I.L. , a therapeutic riding program located at historic Ridgewood Ranch, home of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit in Willits, California.

"One of the wondrous surprises in life is discovering that after loss, joy, comfort and abundant love can be found, sometimes in unlikely places. This beautiful little story explores the resilience of the heart and the love that lies all around us, and demonstrates that even in grief, happy new beginnings await us. I will not soon forget this book." said Hillenbrand, author of the best-seller Seabiscuit- An American Legend.

In summary, at just four days of age, Josephine, a great-granddaughter of the famous racehorse, Seabiscuit, loses her mother Lacy. Josephine’s struggle for survival hinges on her caretakers finding a surrogate mother to nurture her. The touching story, told from the little filly’s perspective, portrays the doubts and uncertainties a young orphan feels as she faces the prospect of going on without the most important individual in her young life, her mother.

Jacqueline Cooper and her husband Tim own, operate American Legend Horse Farm a modest horse breeding farm in Redwood Valley, California. (www.legendhorse.com) Josephine, a registered Paint filly (reg. Champs Lil’Biscuit) is the first descendant of Seabiscuit born at the historic Howard mare barn in over 50 years. The couple raised the orphan filly with the help of “Midnight” the surrogate mother featured in the children’s book. The beautiful black&white Tennesse Walking mare was generously provided by Kim and Jack Wright of Wright’s Walkers in Lakeport, California.

About the authors: Roni McFadden is a mother of four and grandmother of 13 who lives in Willits, California on property that was once part of the Ridgewood Ranch, home of Seabiscuit, where Josephine now resides. She has worked for the equine vets that care for the horses at the ranch for 20 years. She has been around horses all of her life and will soon publish her story "Sierra Lady" about her teenage years at a pack station in the High Sierras. She is excited to be a part of this philanthropic project and eager to see the results.

Bunny McLeod is a seventy year old lady who, although she has written all her life, began her official career as a writer in 2005 at the age of 65, after graduating with an honors degree in Sociology from New England College in Henniker, NH. She is the co-author of the international best-selling children’s book "Who Says Kids Can’t Fight Global Warming", written with Patrick Harrison, "Christmas in Distress", written with A. L. Niflhaim, and a science fiction book, "Probed by Aliens" written with Van Strickland. She has also written over seventy books for a Korean publishing company, GlenndomanKorea and is one of the most popular children’s authors in Korea.

The inspirational children’s book is beautifully illustrated by Sierra Gaston, 19, currently living in Northern California and is a student at Mendocino College. She loves horses, books, and art and is pursuing a B.A. in illustration/visual media in the near future. She feels honored to contribute to the legacy of the legendary racehorse, Seabiscuit.

For book orders contact Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation visit www.seabiscuitheritage.org or call 707.459.5992.

Ridgewood T.R.A.I.L. Riders Association Ridgewood Ranch, Willits, California

T.R.A.I.L., a nonprofi t 501(c)(3), is a member therapeutic riding program established in 1993 at historic Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, California, home of the legendary racehorse Seabiscuit. The program

provides services to improve the lives of children and adults who are challenged physically, developmentally, emotionally, and socially.

For donor and volunteer opportunities or to participate in the program, please contact:

Charles S. Howard, owner of the famed racehorse Seabiscuit, donated funds for a hospital to be built in the rural community of Willits, California, in response to the tragic loss of his son, Frank R. Howard. Young Frank suffered a severe accident in a remote area outside Willits, with no hospital near enough to

save his life. Since 1928, Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital has served the community of Willits and northern Mendocino County with distinction. The Frank R. Howard Foundation is currently raising funds for a new Howard Hospital Campus and Wellness Center in Willits.

Archive