Middletown, N.Y. – Aug. 19, 2009 - The Elant Foundation is proud to announce the exciting addition of world-class Clydesdales to the festivities planned for the Eighth Annual Elant Polo Picnic to be held on Sunday, August 30 at 12:15 pm at the Blue Sky Polo Club in Middletown.

The award-winning team of Clydesdales and a carriage that seats up to six are generously being donated by Bill Goodwin’s Stoney Creek Clydesdales, Inc., of Honesdale, Pa.. The team will be available to take spectators on tours of Blue Sky and for photographs.

“We are so thankful for the generous donation made by Stoney Creek owner Bill Goodwin,” said Elant President & CEO Donna G. McAleer. “These are such beautiful animals and simply the perfect compliment to what is expected to be an outstanding day of polo.”

Polo spectators will also enjoy an elegant cocktail party, music, and a luncheon served under tents. This year’s event will feature a live auction (with auctioneer Mark Vail) and a contest for most original hat. Charlie North, the president/CEO of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, will act as Master of Ceremonies.

Proceeds from this year’s Polo Picnic will benefit ELANT’s Rehab Revolution, dedicated to the continued expansion and enhancement of ELANT’s rehabilitation and sub-acute care programs. These programs provide comprehensive, in-patient care for those recovering from an acute illness or injury following a hospital stay. John Potter, a 26-year-old patient enrolled in ELANT’s rehabilitation program, will speak about the care he has received from ELANT and his successful recovery following an automobile accident.

Carol Holbert of Montgomery and Barbara Riemer of the hamlet of Wallkill will be honored during the event for their humanitarian spirits and notable contributions to their communities.

Holbert, co-founder of Holbert’s Catering and a member of the ELANT Foundation Board since 2002, will receive the ELANT Flame of Excellence Award for her decades of inspired leadership and dedication to improving the lives of others. Barbara Riemer, a native of the Hudson Valley, an entrepreneur, and passionate philanthropist, will be honored with the ELANT Signature Award for her commitment to enhancing healthcare and housing services through philanthropy.

This year’s team sponsors include the Ottaway Family, Employee Family Protection, and Donna and Gordon McAleer. Mallet-level sponsors include the ELANT System Management Team, Med-World Pharmacy (an OmniCare Company), O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, LLP, Provident Bank, and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact the ELANT Foundation at (845) 291-3836.

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Elant, Inc., a community-based, not-for-profit organization, is a leading provider of services for older adults and chronically ill people of all ages. Elant is a comprehensive network of organizations that provides a full range of health and housing services to the Hudson Valley and beyond. On any given day, Elant serves more than 3,500 people through its network of communities, home care agencies, and services. Elant’s mission is to provide personalized, high-quality care and lifestyle options to persons of diverse generations, cultures, and needs.

ABOUT CLYDESDALES: The Clydesdale is one of the most popular heavy horses in the world! Clydesdales are the quintessential embodiment of the familiar draft horse. They are beautiful movers with a high-stepping gait, which made them popular as flashy carriage horses. Today they are popular in the show ring and as fancy carriage horses. The most well-known Clydesdales are the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales. The Clydesdale was bred to have large, well-proportioned feet and sound legs for walking on hard, cobblestone roads. They have longer legs and a more streamlined body than most draft breeds. The name 'Clydesdale' is from the Clyde Valley in Lanarkshire, Scotland (previously known as Clydesdale) where it is believed to have originated. It is the only living heavy horse from Scotland. These draft horses were traditionally used to pull carts and carriages until the development of the automobile in the 1930's. As the Clydesdales tend to be too large to fit in furrows, they were not well suited for use as plow horses. They have been used in the United Kingdom as ceremonial drum horses in many royal processions. The Drum Horses lead the Household Calvary, ridden by drummers who work the reins with their feet while holding drumsticks in their hands.

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