This isn’t our typical story. Today, we’re sharing something deeply personal and asking for our community’s support.
Michelle Durpetti, Managing Partner of Gene & Georgetti, is working toward a $15,000 fundraising goal for Storybook Farm, an organization and cause deeply personal to her.
In addition to leading our family restaurant, Michelle is a lifelong equestrian. Horses have been part of her life since she was nine years old, and Reese, now known as Prince Charming, is one of the horses who forever changed her.
Today, Reese has a meaningful new purpose at Storybook Farm, where animals, nature and hands-on learning come together to serve thousands of children and families.
Help Team Prince Charming Reach Its $15,000 Goal
This year, Michelle is honored to serve as a Storybook Stakes Team Captain for Reese during the 2026 Storybook Stakes.
Her goal is to raise $15,000 for Storybook Farm by October 1. Every contribution, no matter the size, moves Team Prince Charming closer to the finish line while supporting the year-round care of the farm’s animals and the meaningful experiences Storybook makes possible for approximately 4,500 children each year.
Whether you are able to give $10, $25, $100 or another amount meaningful to you, every dollar brings Team Prince Charming closer to its goal.
HELP TEAM PRINCE CHARMING REACH $15,000
Michelle and Reese’s Story
Michelle met Reese when he was seven years old, and from the beginning, there was something extraordinary about him.
His temperament, his incredibly kind heart and the way he connected with people made him special. He was gentle and generous, but also remarkably tenacious.
Michelle and Reese faced significant health challenges together, which he met with the same determination he brought to everything.
They were fortunate to come through those challenges and continue building a wonderful partnership, including many meaningful moments together in the show ring.
Eventually, however, Michelle had to ask herself a difficult question: Was asking Reese to continue being her partner in the show ring allowing him to have the quality of life he deserved?
When the answer became no, her responsibility to him became clear. Reese had given Michelle so much. It was her turn to find the place where everything that made him extraordinary could have an entirely new purpose.
Finding Reese’s Next Chapter at Storybook Farm
Around that time, Michelle met Dena Little, the founder and force behind Storybook Farm in Opelika, Alabama.
Dena founded Storybook Farm in 2002 with the belief that relationships with animals and nature can help children facing adversity find confidence, connection, resilience and joy.
The more Michelle learned about Storybook, the more certain she became that Reese belonged there.
In 2018, he began his next chapter at the farm as Prince Charming. In so many ways, the name could not have been more perfect.
The qualities that made Reese such an extraordinary partner to Michelle are the same qualities that allow him to give so much to the children who meet him: his patience, his gentleness, his ability to make people feel safe and his quiet way of asking nothing from you while somehow giving you exactly what you need.
Michelle thought she needed to retire her horse.
What she was really doing was giving him the opportunity to become something even more meaningful.
Reese has spent these years filling hearts with joy, love and healing. Michelle could not be prouder of the life he has built at Storybook Farm or more grateful to Dena and her team for recognizing the gift that he is.
As Michelle says, “If Reese has taught me anything, it is that sometimes the most beautiful purpose comes after the chapter you thought was going to be the whole story.”
What Is the Storybook Stakes?
Storybook Stakes is a 14-day online fundraising race taking place from September 18 through October 1, 2026.
During the event, every donation moves participating horses along a virtual racetrack. Together, the teams are working toward an overall fundraising goal of $150,000 to support Storybook Farm’s animals and the programs they make possible throughout the year.
Michelle is racing for Reese as Team Prince Charming, with a personal team goal of raising $7,500.
The competition may be virtual, but the impact of every donation is very real.
Help Michelle and Reese Cross the Finish Line
Team Prince Charming is working toward its $15,000 fundraising goal, and our Gene & Georgetti community can help carry Reese across the finish line.
Every gift, no matter the amount, supports Storybook Farm’s animals and helps create moments of confidence, connection, healing and joy for thousands of children and families.
If Reese’s story touched you, please consider making a donation or sharing this fundraiser. Every gift and every share moves Team Prince Charming one step closer to its goal.
Thank you for joining us in supporting Michelle, Reese and the organization that gave this very special horse his most meaningful role yet.
DONATE TO HELP TEAM PRINCE CHARMING REACH $15,000
