Celebrities, jockeys, Thoroughbred industry folks, and guests gathered for a fun evening of team penning on April 14 at the Kentucky Horse Park to raise money for the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund. And no one was safe from the razor-sharp humor of emcee Tim Conway. He began the evening with a narrated slide show of scenes around the Thoroughbred industry, including photos of champion jockeys who volunteered to ride at the fundraiser that night.

Among his quips companioned an image of champion Thoroughbred jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. covered with mud after finishing a race over a very muddy track. “Where were you when it hit the fan?” asked Conway of the crowd, who roared with laughter.

Conway probably is best remembered for his 11-year stint on The Carol Burnett Show. That performance “garnered him five Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, major accolades from critics, and three generations of fans,” according to his official site TimConway.com. “Conway played the funny guy alongside Harvey Korman’s straight man, often cracking up Korman midway through scenes. The spontaneous break in character became a hallmark to watch for in every episode.” Conway received his star on Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame” in 1989. In 2002, Conway and Korman were inducted into the Academy of Television Arts, & Sciences’ Hall of Fame. In 2005, the duo joined the rest of the Carol Burnett cast in receiving TV Land’s Legend Award.

Conway wasn’t the only celebrity signing autographs that night; seven-time champion All-Around Cowboy Larry Mahan flew in from California to ride on a couple of the teams as the “celebrity.” There was no doubt when he entered the arena that horses, riders, and cattle knew they’d met their match.

Mahan rode in the first celebrity team penning to benefit the Don MacBeth fund in Burbank, Calif., in the 1990s. At that time he was hosting the television show “Horse World.” Mahan sat on a well-mannered, borrowed stud colt in between his rides and chatted with competitors and signed autographs for audience members. He said the Don MacBeth Fund was a “great cause. In rodeo or this game, unless you’re at the top of the heat, it’s tough.”

Mahan recalled when he first met Chris McCarron, vice president of the Don MacBeth Fund. “Chris gave me a lesson out of the starting gate,” recalled Mahan. “We ran a couple of hundred yards, and I beat him. Or he let me beat him. I thought I had my stirrups as short as a Chris did, but when I looked at the pictures later I looked like I was riding hunt seat!”

But it wasn’t the top cowboy or a Hall of Famer who won the event, but the team of Amy and Charlie LoPriesti with Fair Grounds racetrack’s leading rider Jamie Theriot. They finished fifth in the first go-round and won the second round to claim the buckles. Amy and Charlie placed third last year in this event, but had won the inaugural team penning held in Kentucky in 2006.

“We love it,” said Amy. “And it’s for a good cause.”

Jamie was having a great time showing off his 4-month-old daughter Hannah.

Judy McCarron, wife of the Hall of Famer, is founder and president of the Don MacBeth Fund. This year’s event had a pre-event dinner hosted by Tim Conway with food provided by Outback Steakhouse. Those VIP ticketholders then had special seating near the center of the indoor arena and close to Conway’s announcers’ stand.

There was also general admission for only $10, and a good crowd showed up despite the cold, rainy night.

Other celebrity jockeys riding in this year’s event were: Corey Laneire, Brian Hernandez Jr., Robbie Albarado, P.J. Cooksey, Pat Day, Angel Cordero, Rene Douglas, and Julian Leparoux.

In addition to the team penning and dinner, there was a silent auction and Calcutta auction of the teams prior to the event.

The Don MacBeth Fund was created to assist injured and disabled riders in 1987. It was named in honor of the New York-based jockey who died of cancer in 1987 at the age of 37.

The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has assisted nearly 1,900 riders from every racetrack in North America; some of the riders were assisted on more than one occasion. The assistance has included renovation of homes to accommodate wheelchairs, conversion of vans and cars with hand controls and side gate lifts, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, therapy equipment, ophthalmologic and dental care, plastic surgery, house and trailer payments, food, rent, and basic living expenses.

The fund only assists licensed jockeys and exercise riders injured on the racetrack in a track-related incident and who are in need of financial assistance. The fund assists Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse riders throughout North America.

For more information or to make a donation contact Tony DeFranco at 310/550-4542 or visit MacBethFund.org