Oklahoma City, OK – November 23, 2009 – On December 4th, internationally recognized American luxury jewelry and timepiece designer, David Yurman, will trade his precious gemstones and metals for spurs and chaps while he tries his skills in the sport of Reining. David will compete in the 4R Performance Horses Celebrity Slide in Oklahoma City benefitting Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma. He will join actor William Shatner, singer/songwriter Lyle Lovett, design show star Christi Proctor, and Tulsa Morning Anchor Kristin Dickerson as they compete in front of judges for the highest score. For the third consecutive year, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) proudly brings this event to the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA) Futurity & Adequan® North American Affiliate Championship Show to benefit the worthy cause. David, along with the other celebrity Reiners, will be competing against some of the world’s greatest bull riding celebrities, including Cody Ford, JW Hart, Cody Lambert, Adriano Moraes and Mike Lee.
At the age of nine, David Yurman was first introduced to the world of horses by his father who would take him riding every Saturday until he was 17. It was a way for them to connect. For many years thereafter David did not have the opportunity to ride but in 1985, David was re-introduced to riding by a group of friends who now, after 25 years of riding together, refer to themselves as the “Kosmic Kowboys.” Included in the group are NRHA Professional, World Champion, and NRHA Judge John Rosi, and NRHA Non Pro competitors Bob Racich and Mike Hancock. It was John who introduced David to Reining, opening the door of horsemanship to him. Since then, David has competed in a variety of events including the Florida Reining Horse Association Make-A-Wish Celebrity Reining event held in Jacksonville, Florida.
The David Yurman brand was founded in 1980 by David and his wife, Sybil, and is inspired by creative exploration in the classic tradition. The brand stems from a coupling of David’s twenty-year background in sculpture and Sybil’s, a painter, natural inclination for marketing and inherent sensibility of color and art. Evan Yurman, David and Sybil’s son, joined the brand in 2004 and now oversees the company’s Mens, Timepiece, Bridal and High Jewelry collections. The brand offers a variety of collections, many of which were inspired by David’s passion for riding and horses including the Buckle, Thoroughbred and Belmont collections.
Both David and Sybil have always held a commitment to giving back. This unwavering dedication was formalized in 2001 with the establishment of The David and Sybil Yurman Humanitarian Foundation. David’s passion for horses and philanthropy has led to the brand’s support of many equine charities. Organizations including the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center in Palm Beach County, Florida and the Equicenter in Mendon, NY both of which provide individuals with mental and/or physical challenge the opportunity to enjoy horse therapy and recreation to enhance their lives. The physical activity involved in riding horses has proven to be a very effective tool for improving muscle stimulation, strength, coordination, flexibility, posture and balance. Additionally, the Yurman’s have supported Bedford Riding Lanes Association that maintains and develops the historic system of trails and dirt roads in upstate New York used for trail riding.
Today, riding has become an essential part of David Yurman’s life whose career as an artist, designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist has been further enriched by his experience riding horses. Twice a week, David takes time out to ride with his ex-reining, now trail horse, Scooter. David Yurman lives and works in the New York City neighborhood of Tribeca with his wife Sybil and around the corner from his son, Evan, and his family.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND GET TICKETS
Tickets for the Celebrity Slide are $8 and can be purchased in advance at nrha.com. Avid fans who want a chance to meet their favorite celebrities “up close and personal” can attend a VIP Reception at the conclusion of the competition. Tickets to the VIP event may be purchased from the Foundation through RHSF Coordinator Krissy Colbath for $100 each (limited tickets available).
So, get ready for a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat event and join us for an evening of excitement and help make some worthy youngsters’ “wishes come true”. Mark your calendar for Friday, December 4 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds beginning at 6 pm! There’ll be opportunities for autographs and photographs, so come prepared.
RHSF
The Reining Horse Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and enhancing the sport of Reining worldwide. The RHSF accomplishes this through their five core programs: NRHA Hall of Fame, Crisis Fund, Research, Development & Education, Youth Programs and International Development. For further information about the Foundation, contact rhsf@nrha.com or 405-946-7400, ext. 137, or visit the RHSF website at reininghorsesportsfoundation.com.
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION®
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma serves children ages 2 ½ to 18 living throughout Oklahoma and has granted more than 1,600 wishes since its inception in 1987. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma please visit oklahoma.wish.org or contact Whitney Moss at 405-286-4000 to find out how you can share the power of a wish®.
4R PERFORMANCE HORSES
The RHSF is grateful to event sponsor 4R Performance Horses and the many volunteers who’ve given so generously of their time and resources to make this “wish” come true. 4R Performance Horses is owned and operated by Dwaine & Judith Rivers, together with their two daughters. They are located just minutes north of San Antonio in Boerne, Texas and specialize in raising, showing & selling reining horses. They have paid special attention to selecting top quality broodmares, with each of them performing in the show pen, and stallions that are proven performers, with some of the best bloodlines the industry has to offer. 4R Performance Horses can be found on the web at 4rperformancehorses.com.
