Category Archives: EQUUS Foundation

Alexis Conover Earns $1,500 Grant through USEF Equestrians in Action

Alexis Conover

Lexington, KY – Sixteen-year-old Alexis Conover (New Port Richey, FL) volunteered more than 1,300 hours to accrue the most time of all participants in the new United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equestrians in Action volunteer recognition program.

USEF Equestrians in Action tracks youth volunteer hours that are aimed at improving the welfare of the horse or positively promoting equestrian sport. Sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation, the program encourages youth to give back to equestrian sport – at horse shows, equine promotional events, equine businesses or organizations, trade fairs, therapeutic riding clinics, horse rescue, and 4-H events.

As the participant with the most volunteer hours in 2011, Conover earned a $1,500 grant for her academic or equestrian educational pursuits. A Hunter exhibitor, Conover volunteered her time at Straight Forward Farm, helping care for and train the farm’s rescue horses.  With dual enrollment in River Ridge High School and Pasco-Hernando Community College, Conover balances her horse involvement with academics.  She has completed two stars of the USEF High School Equestrian Athlete program and is a member of the National Honor and Merit Scholars Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Science Honor Society, and Future Business Leaders of America.

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Grant a Wish! Donate Something Other Than Money?

WESTPORT, CT – December 16, 2011 – Halters, lead ropes, hay, horse feed, shampoo & conditioner, salt blocks, grooming brushes, fly spray, ink cartridges, supplements, blankets, saddles, bridles, riding helmets, postage stamps, saddle pads, shavings, buckets, boots, duct tape, rakes, clippers, fly masks, gift cards to supply stores, and more.

These are just a few of the wish list items of the over 400 organizations on The EQUUS Foundation carrots4acause network, most of which are directly involved with horse rescue and welfare, or are providing equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) to the public.

The EQUUS Foundation launched the carrots4acause network last fall to bring together interested individuals with equestrian and horse-related organizations across America and build a support base of equine advocates. Each organization has its own profile page with contact information, website address, a mission statement, and logo, along with the ability to post volunteering opportunities and wish-list items of needed products and services.

It’s easy to grant a wish – click www.equusfoundation.org/wish and then enter your zip code to find an organization near you.

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Molly Sweeney Named Recipient of The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award

Molly Sweeney. Photo Courtesy of Sweeney Family.

Lexington, KY – Known as a visionary with an incredible passion for horses and learning, Molly Sweeney, of Hockley, TX, has been chosen as the 2011 recipient of The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award for her local- and national-level volunteer work for over two decades in the equine assisted activities and therapies (EAA/T) field.

Sweeney recognized the importance of professional research to support the results from EAA/T. To that end, she gathered like-minded individuals with the intent to create a plan to promote research. It was under her leadership and dedication that the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) was born. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, HHRF offers grants for scientific research on the therapeutic relationship between horses and humans.

“We are most pleased that Molly Sweeney has been selected to receive the Humanitarian Award for 2011 for her dedication and tireless work with equine assisted activities and therapies, and her leadership in establishing the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF),” said Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman of the Board of The EQUUS Foundation. “HHRF’s work on validating the influence of horses on human health will transform the value and purpose of equines in our culture.”

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$5,000 Grant to Be Awarded to the USEF/EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award Recipient

WESTPORT, CT – November 8, 2011 – The nominations deadline for the USEF/EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award is November 14, 2011. The award will be presented at the Pegasus Awards Dinner during the United States Equestrian Federation’s Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 14, 2012. The recipient of the Humanitarian Award will receive a $5,000 grant from The EQUUS Foundation to be awarded to the equestrian or horse-related charity of his or her choice.

The EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award was jointly established by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the The EQUUS Foundation in 2009 to celebrate the humanitarian achievements made by a member of the equine community. Specifically, the goal of this humanitarian honor is to spotlight and exalt the selfless dedication one individual or a group of individuals has made, whether on a regional or national scale.

From improving the health and welfare of the horse to promoting and expanding the general public’s appreciation and respect of the diverse role of horses not just in equestrian sports but also as aides to the general public, the recipient of this award will be someone who has devoted considerable personal time to making the quality of life of our equine partners paramount.

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2011 America’s Favorite Equestrians – and the Winners Are…

WESTPORT, CT – November 5, 2011 – Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman of the Board of The EQUUS Foundation and John Long, President of the United States Equestrian Federation, announced “America’s Favorite Equestrians” for 2011representing the disciplines of Driving, Dressage, Endurance, Eventing, Jumping, Para-Dressage, Reining and Vaulting at their Victory Celebration on Friday, November 4, 2011, at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky.

The program was established by the two organizations to recognize the heroes in our equestrian sport and to build grass roots support within the equestrian community for the many worthy causes supported by The EQUUS Foundation on behalf of horse welfare and the people who benefit from the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal.

“One of the best actions we have taken in recent years is to partner with The EQUUS Foundation,” said John Long. “We look forward to continuing to build our relationship in the future.”

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America’s Favorite Equestrians to Be Announced at Alltech National Horse Show. Voting Closes on October 31st!

WESTPORT, CT – October 29, 2011 – America’s Favorite Equestrian will be selected based on the athletes with the highest number of votes on October 31, 2011 in each of the eight disciplines of Dressage, Driving, Endurance, Eventing, Jumping, Para-Dressage, Reining and Vaulting. The announcement will be made at a Victory Party hosted by the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation on Friday, November 4, 2011, at 9:30 p.m. during the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky.

This is it! Keep Voting! All it takes is a $5 gift to The EQUUS Foundation to insure that your favorite is America’s favorite. Click here to see the equestrian entries and to vote.

For information on The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., visit the EQUUS website at www.equusfoundation.org or contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at (203) 259-1550 or equus@equusfoundation.org.

Continue reading America’s Favorite Equestrians to Be Announced at Alltech National Horse Show. Voting Closes on October 31st!

Who Will Be Inducted into the America’s Favorite Equestrian Hall of Fame? Voting Closes on October 31st!

WESTPORT, CT – October 21, 2011 – Who Will Be Inducted into the America’s Favorite Equestrian Hall of Fame? Voting ends on October 31, 2011. America’s Favorite Equestrians will be selected based on the athletes with the highest number of votes recorded in each of the eight disciplines.

The announcement will be made at the America’s Favorite Equestrian Victory Celebration on Friday, November 4, 2011, at 9:30 p.m., at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky.

This is it! Keep Voting! All it takes is a $5 gift to The EQUUS Foundation to insure that your favorite is America’s favorite. Click here to see the equestrian entries and to vote.

For information on The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., visit the EQUUS website at www.equusfoundation.org or contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at (203) 259-1550 or equus@equusfoundation.org.

Continue reading Who Will Be Inducted into the America’s Favorite Equestrian Hall of Fame? Voting Closes on October 31st!

The EQUUS Foundation Partners with the Washington International Horse Show to Support Kids’ Day

Photos courtesy of the Washington International Horse Show.

WESTPORT, CT – October 12, 2011 – The EQUUS Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) in support of its Kids’ Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011.

“The Washington international Horse Show is thrilled to have support from The EQUUS Foundation for our Kids’ Day event. Kids’ Day is a wonderful way to expose the equestrian sport to the local community and engage the youth of Washington, D.C. By aligning with the The EQUUS Foundation, we will further our mission of promoting a greater interest and education of all things equestrian,” said Bridget Love Meehan, Executive Director, Washington International Horse Show.

Fun & Excitement in the Nation’s Capital
An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will bring top notch equestrian competition to the nation’s capital from October 25-30, 2011 and a free family-friendly event for the local community.

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AAEP Foundation and EQUUS Foundation Fellowships Encourage Careers in Equine Research

WESTPORT, CT – October 10, 2011 – The EQUUS Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation.

The AAEP Foundation will award two research graduates with the first-ever EQUUS Foundation Research Fellows, to be presented on November 20, 2011 during the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ 57th Annual Convention.

“The equine veterinary community continues to struggle to find those dedicated to careers in equine research, especially veterinarians seeking advanced degrees,” said Wayne McIlwraith, BVSc, Ph.D, Diplomate ACVS, AAEP Foundation Chairman. “We can’t thank the EQUUS Foundation enough for their dedication to education and responding to the important need of supporting those dedicating their careers to equine research.”

More about the Research Fellowships
Two AAEP-member researchers completing residency or graduate programs will each receive a $5,000 scholarship for their contributions to furthering equine research and discovery.

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The Final Round of America’s Favorite Equestrian Is Underway. Vote for Your Favorite!

WESTPORT, CT – October 1, 2011 – The results of Round 4 of America’s Favorite Equestrian are in. Three equestrians in each of the eight disciplines that participated in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games have moved onto the Final Round.

“America’s Favorite Equestrian is an innovative and contemporary concept designed to engage the equestrian community,” said John Long, CEO, United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). “It is an exciting project to be a part of because the proceeds benefit so many worthy causes supported by The EQUUS Foundation.”

“Like any new program, getting the word out is always a challenge”, said Lynn Coakley, President, The EQUUS Foundation. “We hope that the America’s Favorite Equestrian program will help us build grass roots support within the equestrian community to improve the quality of life of horses and promote the use of horses to enrich the lives of those in need. A $5 donation multiplied by the many who already know the magical and powerful impact of horses in our lives will go a long way.”

Who Will Win?
Voting ends on October 31, 2011. America’s Favorite Equestrians will be selected based on the athletes with the highest number of votes recorded in each of the eight disciplines.

This is it! Keep Voting! All it takes is a $5 gift to The EQUUS Foundation to insure that your favorite is America’s favorite. Click here to see the equestrian entries and to vote.

Continue reading The Final Round of America’s Favorite Equestrian Is Underway. Vote for Your Favorite!