Members of the Menlo Charity Horse Show Committee announced today that they have unanimously selected Rick Timmons of Dallas, Texas to be the 2016 Official Artist of this nationally recognized and honored equestrian competition.  

Mr. Timmons’ work, entitled “Cloud Jumper” is valued at $6,400 and will be auctioned off Friday night, August 12th at the Gala Dinner (sponsored by Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry) immediately following the $10,000 Ryman Take Your Own Line Speed Jumping Class at 6 PM that evening.  Reproductions of this artwork will be featured on the event’s stationery, posters, invitations, tee shirts, mugs and website.

Rick Timmons was born in Florida, but was raised in Dallas where he attended Junior High and High School.  Prior to attending art school he spent 4 years in the construction business traveling throughout Europe, the Middle East, Canada, Mexico and all over the United States absorbing the culture of the various regions. 

In 1981, after completing his studies at the Art Institute of Dallas, Rick joined the Dallas Fire Department where he would spend the next 13 years as a fire fighter/paramedic and member of the department’s football, rodeo and powerlifting teams.  Countless hours of his off-duty time were spent in his studio honing his craft, and it wasn’t long before his artwork was being displayed regionally in numerous galleries which specialize in Southwestern Art.  He was selected to produce commemorative paintings for both the Texas and New York Firefighters’ Associations.  

In 1984 he made the difficult decision to retire from the fire department in order to pursue painting, his “ultimate passion” on a full time basis. He opened his first public studio in 1996.  Since then, his oil portraits and paintings have sold in the United States and Europe, and have been collected by people from every walk of life, including celebrities, media personalities, business executives, civic leaders and professional athletes.  

Rick’s equine and sports art has been featured in publications such as Art News, Southwest Art Magazine, and Equine Images, he continues to operate Loco Gringo Studios in Dallas.  He will be in attendance at the horse show’s Gala Dinner on August 12th, and says, “I am really looking forward to attending this unique, equestrian event, about which I’ve heard so much”.

The Menlo Charity Horse Show is honored to be recognized by the USEF as one of only twenty one Heritage Competitions, a designation reserved for competitions that have been established for a long period of time and have made substantial contribution toward the development and promotion of the sport, both within the broader community, and by achieving, maintaining and promoting the equestrian ideals of the sportsmanship and competition.  

The 2016 event will take place August 9th through August 14th at the Menlo Circus Club, 190 Park Lane in Atherton.  Over 500 horses and riders are expected to compete in three beautiful arenas, two of which are on the grass of the polo field.  

Founder and Co-chair of the event, Betsy Glikbarg of Atherton says,  “We welcome Mr. Simmons’ enthusiastic participation in helping us celebrated our 46h anniversary this year.  Cloud Jumper is a powerful depiction of the strength and beauty of equestrian competition”. 

Once again the event will benefit Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, which serves thousands of clients in San Mateo, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Santa Clara Counties.  Over the past 5 years, the show has raised more than $1.8 million for the Center.  For further information, please visit: www.menlohorseshow.org.