Letter to the Editor: Dwight Hall
No event in Nashville, TN is more anticipated than the Iroquois Steeplechase and this year’s race day will be extraordinary for reasons beyond the event festivities.
After 62 years of involvement as a rider and winner of the 1977 Iroquois race to today as chairman of the Iroquois Steeplechase, I am proud to be with an organization that’s foundation is rooted in the community. At the core of our organization is supporting The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, a freestanding 343-bed facility dedicated to serving only children. Our children’s hospital is a nationally recognized leading provider of pediatric health care services and since being designated as one of our primary beneficiaries in 1981, The Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt has received more than $11 million from The Volunteer State Horsemen's Foundation (VSHF) proceeds. The Iroquois Steeplechase staff, as well as the VSHF Trustees of the Foundation and its Race Committee, are involved with the hospital year-round contributing time, supporting endowments and continuing the long-standing association of the event and the children.
Each year the hospital selects a child ambassador to represent The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and this year they selected Mattie Ann Harwell to represent patients in Middle Tennessee and beyond, conveying a message of triumph and positivity at this year’s race meet.
Her story begins in 2018 when Mattie Ann was diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis, an immune system disease that causes stomach pain and difficulty swallowing. Her family turned to The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where she received regular endoscopies, steroids and protein pump inhibitors. During one of Mattie Ann’s scopes, she suffered a laryngospasm and had to be intubated. Fortunately, she made a full recovery and entered remission.
In 2021, Mattie Ann’s journey with Children’s Hospital continued when she suffered two broken growth plates in her right ankle, followed by another break a few months later. As a result of the repeated trauma, she developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and underwent months of therapy and medication. Thanks to Children’s Hospital, her CRPS is resolved.
Stories like these are ones that we want to elevate so more children in our community can access the resources that The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, and they can focus on just being kids.
If you have never attended an Iroquois Steeplechase event and want to know what all the buzz is about, this is the year to come. It is the most anticipated race yet.
There are some new things this year as we are launching the Royal 615 Lounge to host guests who will enjoy DJ entertainment, craft cocktails and a vibrant vibe. There will be surprises in the Lounge and guests throughout the grounds will enjoy kids stick horse races, shops, contest, $100,000 Free To Play Pick 6 Challenge and other games and activities. Tickets are still available. For more information visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org. We hope the entire community will join us at Percy Warner Park on Saturday, May 14.
