No Horsin' Around

Billionaire UT board member with Aggie ties gives millions to new equestrian center

Not just any headquarters would do for one of the nation's leading college equestrian teams. So when billionaireJeff Hildebrand and wife Mindy Hildebrand were considering a way to honor his father, Dr. Thomas Hildebrand, a 1956 graduate of veterinary medicine at Texas A&M, they focused on funding a world-class equine complex.

On Wednesday, the Hildebrands led ribbon cutting honors on the $32 million, state-of-the-art facility. The couple provided the lead gift for the Thomas G. Hildebrand, DVM '56 Equine Complex composed of an arena and barn facilities for the A&M women's equestrian team and a cross-country course for the A&M cross-country team, as well as classroom and office spaces for equine teaching, research and outreach.

The Hildebrand's daughter, Brittany Hildebrand, is a member of A&M's national championship equestrian team.

While both Jeff and Mindy are University of Texas graduates and Jeff is on the UT board of regents, the gift to A&M, Mindy explained, was prompted by their love of horses and their desire to honor Thomas Hildebrand at his alma mater.

Joining the Hildebrand family on the special day were a number of friends from Houston including Julie and Keith Williams, Lynette and Mark Cone, Mike Plank, Marian Langston, Joe Mandola and Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer.

It was a monumental day for Texas A&M as the ribbon cutting was preceded by a groundbreaking on the $120 million Veterinary & Biomedical Education Complex, as reported in The Eagle.

Jeff and Mindy Hildebrand and family members cut the ribbon at new Texas A&M equine center.

News, shelby, Mindy and Jeff Hildebrand, children, April 2014

Photo by Carol Sawyer

Jeff and Mindy Hildebrand and family members cut the ribbon at new Texas A&M equine center.

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Two-Stepping Bash

Country tunes and Houston's charitable hearts rock for Dec my Room

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

A bustling crowd kicked open the doors of the House of Blues for the Eighth Annual "Kick Up Your Boots for Kids" bash, all in support of Dec My Room. The night was set ablaze by the toe-tapping tunes of country stars Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen, transforming the venue on October 24 into a jitterbug jamboree and creating an atmosphere brimming with joy.

Event chairs Laurel Bashaw and Dodi Willingham and founders Kendall Plank and Susan Plank were thrilled about how the extra funds will turbocharge their mission. Since 2007, Dec My Room has adorned nearly 18,000 hospital rooms across 178 institutions, delivering personalized coziness like a warm blanket to pediatric and young adult patients.

Emcee and auctioneer David Ackel kept the energy high as generous Houstonians vied for coveted treasures. Standouts included rare Pappy Van Winkle bourbon bottles and a glimmering necklace from Lugano. A wine and whiskey dinner hosted by Federal Grill’s Matt Brice saw bids skyrocket, leaving winners over the moon. The grand finale was a private management hunt at Sycamore Springs Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.

With over 250 attendees two-stepping and $350,000 raised, the event proved to be a night where generosity danced hand in hand with a rockin’ good time. In the crowd were Laurie and Tracy Krohn, Stacey and Al Lindseth, Mike Plank, Rachel and Tom Regan, Ericka Bagwell, Aimee and Wynne Snoots, Carley and Mike Stasney, Grace and Steven Ward, Monica and Jed Skeet, Marie and Joseph Flanigan, Jessica and Ryan Getz, Denise and Brett Mears, Kiki Wilson, Peggie and Kyle Pentecost.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Jacob Mansfield, Grace Ward, and Kendyl Mansfield.

dec my room fundraisers