On the first Saturday of May, all eyes turn to Churchill Downs racetrack for the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown. Held annually since 1875, the Kentucky Derby is rich in history and colorful tradition. But the good news is, here in Southern New Hampshire, that you don’t have to be at Churchill Downs this year to enjoy all the excitement on Derby Day.

Known as the “Fastest Two Minutes in Sports,” the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise Bank are pleased to invite the public to our Kentucky Derby-themed “Jockeys and Juleps” gala, which will take place from 5-9 p.m. on Saturday at Labelle Winery in Amherst. This new and thrilling event will benefit the therapeutic riding programs at Touchstone Farm, a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Temple. Both LaBelle Winery and Touchstone Farm are long-time members of the Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Taking place in the stunning Great Room at LaBelle Winery, the Kentucky Derby race will be live-streamed on a 120-inch big screen for attendees to experience all the excitement of Churchill Downs.

Traditional Kentucky Derby-themed food and cocktails will be featured, along with Stick Pony Races, Best Hat and Bowtie contests, Bourbon Tasting, a Cork Pull, Raffles, a Win-Place-Show Derby game and more. The event is expected to draw a sizable crowd decked out in their Derby finery: dresses and hats for the ladies, and bowties for the gentlemen. Each guest will also receive a commemorative shot glass as a favor.

Why attend this fundraising event?

Besides attending this fun and electrifying event at beautiful LaBelle Winery, you also will be supporting Touchstone Farm’s therapeutic riding programs.

For 45 years, Touchstone Farm’s mission has been to provide opportunities which positively change lives.

For decades, Touchstone Farm (formerly know and The Pony Farm), has offered certified therapeutic equine riding and carriage programs that benefit children and adults living with mental, physical and developmental disabilities, as well as at-risk youth. In 2017, Touchstone Farm also began working with veterans and their families as part of a collaborative partnership with the Red Sox Foundation, Massachusetts General Hospital and Home Base Veteran & Family Care Program to provide respite weekends that help heal the invisible wounds for veterans, service members and their families.  

Key sponsors of the event include media sponsor, The Telegraph; presenting sponsor, Enterprise Bank, as well these generous activity sponsors and in-kind donors: Family Dental Care of Milford; Turnstone Corporation; Trent Blalock, Edward Jones; Eaton Berube Insurance; Bank of New Hampshire; LaBelle Winery; The Copy Shop; Harper Point Photography; Souhegan Printed Products; Brennan and McKay Appliances; A-Tech Automotive; the Chamber Board of Directors and volunteers from Touchstone Farm.

Tickets are $85 each or $165 per couple.

For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, call the Souhegan Valley Chamber at 603-673-4360 or visit on-line at www.souhegan.net.