Into the Wild: Inside Sprout’s Annual Gala
Story by William Anderson
Guests at the Sprout Center’s annual Gallop Gala were surprised to step through the doors of Sprout’s stables and be transported into a vibrant jungle environment. Over 2,400 plants were brought in to complete the jungle theme. The night celebrated a year that saw over 17,000 hours of volunteer work and an average of 150 riders a week at the equine therapy center.
Executive Director Brooke Waldron has always been interested in horses. Her parents were apprehensive about the cost, but once Waldron started horseback riding lessons, there was no stopping her. Her parents said they would support her as long as she stuck with it. Years later, Waldron has lived up to that promise.
When Sprout first began operations in 2009, the nonprofit needed a therapeutic riding instructor. Sprout called Waldron. She did not hesitate to jump on the opportunity and has been there ever since, helping the organization grow into the program it is today.
Sprout’s story has been exceptional from the beginning, and the gala is no exception. The night began with a lively cocktail hour where guests enjoyed a 360-degree photo booth, French macarons, and other appetizers while participating in a silent auction. The silent auction was just one of many examples of outstanding community involvement. Many Middleburg businesses donated auction items, including The Boyd, Barrel Oak Winery & Brewery, King Street Oyster Bar, Goodstone Inn, and The Red Fox Inn.
After the cocktail hour, guests transitioned to dinner with phenomenal live music from jazz group Good Shot Judy. Waldron gave a speech addressing the value of Sprout’s mission and why it is important to encourage people when they fall. “If you never go off course, you never know how to correct,” she says. She explained that Sprout has a ribbon called the “Dirt Ribbon” for the first time riders fall off the horse. “What if we took more time to award ribbons when someone is not doing well, but they learn? If people can fall and people can ride, then people can fly.”
This year, Sprout honored a 22-year-old American/Welsh cross gelding named Spot as their horse of the year. “He’s a 13.2-hand buckskin leopard Appaloosa and has been serving at Sprout for five years. During that time, he has provided more than 4,000 hours of service in our adaptive riding and equine-supported therapy programs,” says Waldron.
One rider began her journey with Spot when she was 4 years old and in a wheelchair. “She told me that one day she was going to walk,” Waldron shares. Waldron watched her practice the movement, balance, strength, and coordination she needed while riding Spot. Today, that girl is an independently walking middle schooler.
During the live auction, guests gave encouragement with more than just words. One attendee bought a bottle of Champagne for $2,000. Another purchased a painting of Spot for $16,000. One guest donated $50,000 and later followed it up with another donation of $25,000. He says it was “to get the ball rolling.”
“The gala gives us an opportunity every year to clean and polish our facility from top to bottom, and we take the transformation from a working barn to a black-tie venue seriously,” Waldron says. This is Sprout’s 10th gala. “Every year I think there is no way this can get better, and every year it does,” says Waldron’s mother, Donna Bucas. This year, they stripped the stalls, power washed, painted, varnished, reorganized supplies, and prepared nearly every corner of the barn and property. Then the décor team got to work. This year, they outdid themselves. “Seeing our working barn transformed into a lush jungle was truly a sight to behold,” Waldron shares.
The gala began 10 years ago, when Sprout needed to raise a significant amount of money. “We had a choice: scale back our programs and potentially turn riders away, or find a way to bring more people into the mission. We weren’t willing to do less, so we decided to throw a big party,” Waldron explains. “As a nonprofit, the cost of providing our programs has always exceeded what we ask our participants and families to pay. The only way that model works is through the generosity of a community willing to invest in our mission.”
Waldron says she is grateful to be a part of this community. Sprout “exists because thousands of people over the past 15 years have chosen to give something of themselves to this mission,” she says. “Some give their time, some give their talents, some give financially, and some simply believe in us and encourage us to keep going.” ML
Posted on: September 29, 2026