The calendar said early September, but the weather said late October. For Fieldstone Farm’s annual Chefs Unbridled, held under a huge tent on the Chagrin Valley Hunt Club Polo Field in Gates Mills, organizers scrambled to obtain patio heaters to ensure patrons’ comfort. But not to worry. It’s as if the unusually cool and cloudy skies encouraged patrons to take advantage and better enjoy the hearty small plates, and the expanded paddock with more tables than in previous years. Even the expanse of the field itself lent a crisp, outdoorsy element that has always been present, just maybe not as deeply appreciated as it was this year. Overheard from many patrons was the mantra of many of us from Northeast Ohio: “I don’t mind the cool, I just couldn’t see doing this in a downpour.”

Kyle and Nadine Merrill with Kate Lincoln and Mark Fusco

Six hundred guests attended the annual event, with tickets selling out this past June. Men have it easy – toss on a suit coat – but women made do beautifully, with midi skirts and boots, jean jackets and colorful coverups for warmth and style. Four popular restaurants/groups created two dishes each to feed the crowd. Driftwood, Flour, Hook & Hoof, and The Last Page offered stunning small plates from lamb chops to short ribs, grilled prawns on grits and salmon crudo. Plus a full bar, bourbon and beer tasting, a banquet of desserts, an espresso station and late night bites as well. The event has long been a foodie paradise.
“This is one of the area’s premier events,” said professional auctioneer Mark Schroeder, “And I know – I do enough of these,” he added. It’s also the only benefit where patrons can enjoy a carriage ride, artfully provided by Whispery Pines, a stable in Kingsville (Ashtabula County). You really haven’t experienced the heart of Ohio until you’ve been on a wagon led by Percherons Tony and Sampson, driven by their knowledgeable handler, Sam, and aided by genial assistant, Bill.
At presentation time, board chair Jim Donohue mentioned how Megan, his daughter with special needs, now 27, has been riding at Fieldstone for 21 years, enjoying her bond with her 1,500-plus-pound friends. “By far her favorite horse is Empire, who is, um, discriminating when it comes to people,” he said. He described touring the barn with his daughter recently, and when Empire heard her, the horse kicked at his stall door to get her attention, to

Jeff and Marti Davis with Kelly Richards and Paul Yusko

the amazement of the barn staff.
The therapeutic riding center works with over 50 nonprofit organizations and also 10 Cleveland elementary schools. In a video presentation* volunteers explained how these city-based kids are not familiar with the Fieldstone environment. “They’ve never been in a barn or been with horses,” they say, “yet the stress just melts away.” Instructors and staff insist that the horses understand the humans’ limitations, and help riders make their disabilities just disappear. For one rider, young Keyrian, a wheelchair-bound sprite with a mass of curly brown hair, her first ride on Tater was a ride of just five steps. Yet that turned into a life-affirming experience that she will get to repeat, since Chefs Unbridled aims to be sure no one gets turned away from equine therapy. In fact this year was a record-setter with $350K raised to support over 900 students of all ages.
“Walk on, Tater,” Keyrian says confidently in the video. Walk on, Fieldstone Farm, walk on for all of us. *The video is available on the organization’s website: fieldstonefarm.org/ STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY RITA KUEBER