Alpharetta, GA – ACORD (American Competition Opportunities for Riders with Disabilities, Inc), a national 501c3 nonprofit corporation, is kicking off their first fundraiser for the Memories of Marj Scholarship & Grant Fund on Saturday, September 10, 2011. This fund will provide educational opportunities across the country for athletes with disabilities.

The “Miracles on Manes” benefit for Memories of Marj will be held at Chukkar Farm in Alpharetta, GA, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature music, refreshments, a silent auction, prize drawings and a thrilling round of equestrian entertainment. Guests of honor are riders from the Caisson Platoon Program in Washington, D.C. Tickets are $40; a table for ten may be reserved for $350. Beverages and heavy appetizers will be served, with entertainment from many equestrian disciplines, including: polo, dressage pairs to music, sidesaddle, show jumping, eventing, grand prix dressage and riders with disabilities. Drawing and silent auction items are extensive, including a hot air balloon champagne ride, luxury beach weekend and a flightseeing trip over Atlanta.

The evening will conclude with the awarding of the first two grants from the Memories of Marj Scholarship & Grant Fund, followed by a special champagne toast to Marjorie V. Kittredge and ACORD’s first Memories of Marj Beneficiaries.

ACORD is organizing this scholarship and grant fund in memory of Marjorie (Marj) V. Kittredge, a Boston native who dedicated her life to equestrians with disabilities as an instructor, mentor, clinician, judge and organizer. Marj was one of ACORD’s original founders in 1992 and the first American international technical delegate. She died on June 23, 2010 at the age of 86. With Marj’s help, ACORD made a difference for people and horses.

It is in her name that we launch the Memories of Marj Scholarship & Grant Fund. ACORD is proud to honor a woman who improved everything she encountered. We extend a warm welcome to local equestrians and the entire community to support our cause and enjoy a great event.

More about ACORD
ACORD managed Equestrian for the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics with a staff of more than 200 volunteers and ran qualifying competitions at Wills Park in Alpharetta for six years. In addition to horse shows across America, ACORD has organized teams of disabled riders at the USET Festival of Champions at Gladstone, the North American Young Riders’ Championships at Tempel Farms and High Prairie, the USDF National Convention and Dressage at Saratoga. ACORD riders and horses were featured in the National Geographic Nature Series on PBS’ HORSES. ACORD organized the Variety Salute Dressage Clinics &Fundraisers in Chicago and several Competition Camps for Developing Riders with Disabilities. ACORD supported the United States Team at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, where for the first time, Para-Equestrians competed on an equal basis with all international equestrian disciplines.

For more information, visit www.acordhorse.com.

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