In the sporting world, greatness takes many forms: athleticism, vision and action. In the case of equestrians Alice and Henry Hooker, you have all three.
The spectacular achievement for this philanthropic couple was their collaboration to elevate the Iroquois Steeplechase from a unique sporting event in Nashville into a spectacular, national competition and citywide fundraiser. Thanks to their vision, the Steeplechase has contributed millions of dollars for what is now known as the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
The Hookers and their family have deep roots in the equestrian world – from steeplechasing to fox hunting, polo and horse shows.
As important civic leaders, Alice and Henry Hooker initiated the fundraising union between the Volunteer State Horsemen’s Association and the Friends of the Children’s Hospital to raise money for what was then called Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. The ensuing 27 years of that alliance resulted in contributions of more than $8 million to the hospital.
It was 1980 when the couple envisioned transforming Nashville’s Iroquois Steeplechase – formed in 1941 by the Hillsboro Hounds foxhunting organization as an informal pasture competition — into a premier sporting benefit. At that time, Henry, was secretary of the Horsemen’s Association, which put on the annual Steeplechase. Alice was chairman of the Children’s Hospital board. The two worked to bring about the “marriage” of the Horsemen and the Friends of Children’s Hospital, rendering the hospital the beneficiary of the Steeplechase’s largess.
It was a fine collaboration. Alice’s Children’s Hospital volunteers were a tremendous, effective corps to drive community interest and to handle the vibrant social side of the event. Henry’s foxhunters managed the race and its logistics.
More than behind-the-scenes advisors, the Hookers were hands-on trailblazers. At the same time, they were able to preserve the flavor of the old days while masterfully looking ahead to ensure excellence.
The effort necessitated upgrading the race course track and jumps, installing a complete irrigation system to water the turf which had to be totally renovated, fence the perimeter of the area, and build additional boxes and stands for the spectators. These accomplishments were all required to have a competitive race event that could attract nationally the premier horses and owners in the country.
Henry served 17 years as chairman of the Iroquois Race Committee. Alice spent 18 years as honorary chairman of the Iroquois Steeplechase and continued to provide service as a member of the board of Vanderbilt Medical Center.
When Henry stepped down as chairman in 2008 and Alice as honorary chairman, a new organizational structure was put in place to manage the massive event. Today’s 33 year-old relationship between the Steeplechase and Vanderbilt has netted almost $10 million for Children’s Hospital.
The Hookers essentially took their passion for children, for sport and for our community and achieved something extraordinary. They helped build a sporting event into a sporting institution… fueling a new hospital for children into what is now a world leader in healthcare.