Wellington, Florida – October 21, 2003 – The William Secord Gallery will host an invitation-only cocktail reception on Saturday, November 1, 2003, from 6 pm to 8pm in honor of The First Annual ASPCA Equine Fund Family Luncheon. The ASPCA is the acronym for The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The William Secord Gallery, located at 52 East 76th Street in New York City, is the only gallery of its kind in North America, specializing in fine, 19th century dog and animal paintings and collectibles.

The timing and location of the cocktail reception is particularly noteworthy in that The William Secord Gallery will then have on display its first exhibition of 19th and early 20th century horse paintings. Included in the exhibition will be works by Henry Alken, John Ferneley, Benjamin Herring Sr., Mabel Hollams, Michael Lyne, Edwin Megargee, Sir Alfred Munnings and Alexander Pope.

The inaugural ASPCA Equine Fund Family Luncheon will take place at The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida, on Sunday, February 1, 2004, during the first grand prix of The 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival. As the name implies, the Luncheon is being held for the benefit of the ASPCA’s Equine Fund. The event will begin with cocktails at noon and a seated luncheon at 1pm.

The Winter Equestrian Festival is the premier horse show in the United States, attracting over 4,000 of the best horses in the world and riders from over 25 countries for eight weeks of classes in the equestrian disciplines of hunter/jumper, dressage and equitation. Luncheon guests will have the opportunity to sit ringside over lunch for premium viewing of the equestrian activities that will take place in the adjacent International Arena, featuring The Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic Grand Prix commencing at approximately 2pm.

As a Family Luncheon, children of all ages are welcome. There will be a series of supervised play and educational activities for their entertainment, as well as a special children’s menu.

The mission of the ASPCA’s Equine Fund is to protect horses from cruelty and neglect. The ASPCA was founded by Henry Bergh in 1866 and was the first humane organization established in the western hemisphere.

The Luncheon is being chaired by Leslie M. Clarke of Wellington, Frances G. Scaife of Palm Beach and New York City, and William Secord of New York City. Mr. Secord is on The National Board of Directors of the ASPCA.

Tickets to the Luncheon are $250 for adults and $50 for children under the age of 13. Reserved tables of six are available for $1,500.

For further information, contact The William Secord Gallery at (212) 249-0075. Or, contact Mason Phelps, Jr. or Beverly Lake Wilkes of Phelps Wilkes & Associates, Inc. at (561) 753-3389 or at info@phelpswilkes.com.

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