Category Archives: Fundraisers

Successful Aiken Olympic Gala Raises Funds for USET Foundation and U.S. Eventing High Performance Program

Joan Hampf, Jessica Hampf (hosts) and committee members Jack Wetzel, Amy Ruth Borun and Evie Dutton. Photo By: Kate Samuels

Aiken, SC – March 19, 2012 – On Friday, March 16, 2012, Phillip and Evie Dutton hosted the fourth annual Olympic Gala in Aiken, SC at their winter facility in Bridle Creek. They helped bring the Aiken community together for a night of cocktails, a catered buffet, dancing, and a silent auction. The night raised $65,000 with all proceeds going to the USET Foundation for the benefit of the U.S. Eventing High Performance programs.

Top eventing riders Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin stepped forward as the Celebrity Hosts of the evening, welcoming the crowds as everybody gathered to enjoy the open bar and hors d’oeuvres, partaking in the raffle and silent auction while enjoying the music of Preston and Weston.

“I thought the gala was great, everyone had a wonderful time,” Evie commented. “We had over 300 people in attendance and there was a lot of excitement, especially with it being an Olympic year. There was great music, dancing and everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

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“Salute to Driving” Auctions Off Lessons with Chester Weber to Benefit USET Foundation

Chester Weber and his team during the marathon phase at the 2011 Live Oak International. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Aiken, SC (March 9, 2012) – For the second year in a row Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving National Champion, donated lessons to the “Salute to Driving” Benefit to support the USET Foundation. The fundraiser featured a dinner and live auction, as well as clinics, held over three days at Wendy O’Brien’s Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, South Carolina.

“This was a wonderful event put on in Aiken to raise money for the USET Foundation. Last year the debut event benefited the country’s High Performance Driving programs for the USET Foundation and raised over $30,000,” Weber said. “I was pleased to be part of the event last year and once again this year.”

Weber said he was also happy to donate lessons to the auction. “I will provide the lessons to the winner during the Live Oak International in March,” Weber said. “Jack Wetzel purchased the tickets for the lesson and gave them to Jacob Arnold.  I know Mr. Arnold will enjoy his driving experience at Live Oak.”

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DreamCatcher Horse Ranch to Host EggStravaganza and Silent Auction in South Lake

On Sunday, April 1, DreamCatcher Horse Ranch and Rescue Center will be hosting a family friendly free event. The EggStravanza and Silent Auction serves as a spring fundraiser for DreamCatcher, but also is a fun and unique Easter themed carnival with events for everyone.

This year’s activities include Pony Rides, Games, Horse Riding Demonstrations, meet the rescued horses, and tour of the facilities. Food and Drinks will be available and unique to this year’s event is the silent auction.

In addition to horse supplies and tack available to purchase, the silent auction will feature tickets and passes to Disney, Tampa Bay Rays Baseball, Orlando Grand Prix; stays and packages to Stowe Mountain Resort, Charlotte Inn, Martha’s Vineyard, Peabody Orlando, Heron Cay B&B, Alling House B&B, Lake Buena Vista Best Western Resort, Grand Lake Orlando Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriot; Majestic Orlando Balloon Rides; Kristina Grimm Photography Photo Sessions; Yuengling Golf Bags; Gift Cards to premier Central Florida Restaurants; and much, much more.

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Totilas Breeding Offered to Benefit Equestrian Aid Foundation at Palm Beach Dressage Derby Fundraiser

WELLINGTON, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2012) – The fourth annual Equestrian Aid Foundation “Inspection Reception” Fundraiser will be held Thursday, March 1, from 5-8 pm at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Loxahatchee, Fla. The highlight of the evening will be the live bidding for a breeding to World and Olympic Champion Totilas. To register to bid by phone or text, please contact skursar@gmail.com or call 704.650.1604 before Wed., Feb. 29 at 2 pm to arrange a bidder’s assistant. Only those present to bid or those registered to bid offsite will be eligible to win this exciting opportunity.

Guests will enjoy a fabulous meal and drinks at the beautiful show grounds at the Horse Park at Equestrian Estates immediately following the FEI Jog. Courtney King-Dye will be the guest of honor. Items will be on display at noon in the IHS Palm Beach Derby gathering place, “The Beer Garden,” to bid on items or make donations.

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Team Orian Conquered the Bull in the Second Preliminary “Buck Off” and Teams Gear Up for This Week’s Competition at New Equestrian Village

Megan Martin was a member of Team Orian, the winners of the Second Preliminary "Buck Off" held at the White Horse Tavern January 26, 2012. Photo Courtesy of Kerri Salter

Loxahatchee, FL – January 31, 2012 – The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) held its second preliminary “Buck Off” last Thursday at the White Horse Tavern’s Patio. The fundraiser benefits the VTRC, an organization that witnesses countless miracles on a daily basis and truly lives up to its meaning, “to overcome.”

The “Buck Off” consists of three preliminary rounds in which teams of four compete on a mechanical bull to earn the highest score. The winning team will move on to the final event held on February 10, 2012. The buzz about the event has been nothing but positive. “The conversations about the ‘Buck Off’ have been simply amazing,” said Bobbi Rottman, with Equine Solutions. “The energy here is about double what it was last year, and that’s impressive considering that the winners from last year said it was the talk of the town all year.”

As Rottman’s “brain-child,” its success means the world to her. She had wanted to help the VTRC reach out to the younger generations and hold an event where everyone could come together and have a great time. The first time the event was held was at the annual dinner and auction three years ago. The response was so immense that the committee had to turn people away. Soon after, it was decided to make the “Buck Off” its own fundraising event for the VTRC leading up to the annual benefit. They have received overwhelming support from sponsors throughout the years, and this year Floridian Community Bank, Palm Beach Equine Clinic and White Horse Tavern Catering are to thank.

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JustWorld International Fundraising Gala Raises over $280,000

JustWorld International Executive Director Jessica Newman (center) with Hilary Betaille (left) and JustWorld Rider Ambassador Francie Steinwedell-Carvin. Photo - Sportfot.com

January 25, 2012 – Wellington, Florida – Over $280,000 was raised at the Ninth Annual JustWorld International Fundraising Gala held Friday, January 20, in Wellington, Florida.  JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children.

More than 650 guests enjoyed an evening in the bygone era of the flapper at the 1920s-themed event hosted by Maria Newman at her beautiful Belle Herbe Farm in Grand Prix Village.  Renowned event planners, Dazzle Creative Events, created a ‘Speakeasy’ vibe that was reflected through food, drinks, specialty entertainment and a casino with 14 gaming tables.  Presented by FTI Consulting, Whole Foods of Wellington, and Caryl Philips and Frank Zeiss, the evening was an overwhelming success, raising $280,360 towards JustWorld project sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Guatemala, and Honduras.

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“Salute to Driving” Benefit to Support the USET Foundation

The "Salute to Driving" will take place February 18-20, 2012. Photo By: Vicki Long.

Aiken, SC – January 4, 2012 – The Second Annual Salute to Driving fundraising event is pleased to announce that it will once again be held in Aiken, and Windsor SC, February 18-20, 2012, and will feature many exciting new additions. Last year’s debut event benefited this country’s High Performance Driving programs for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation, raising over $30,000. The exciting weekend event will feature a beautiful dinner and auction on Saturday evening, multiple driving clinics with some of the world’s top trainers, and a Combined Test Competition for any drivers Preliminary-Advanced on Monday. The Salute to Driving event is being held to help raise awareness and educate different audiences about the discipline of driving.

Salute to Driving will kick off its festivities on Saturday, February 18, 2012, with dressage clinics by Tjreed Velstra of The Netherlands and Hardy Zantke of California at Chateau Log and Courage to Lead Farms. Auditing these clinics is free, and Velstra will lead the USEF long listed drivers while Zantke teaches the developing drivers. Other special events include a hazard demonstration and clinic, harnessing demonstrations, and a carriage exhibit.

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Ninth Annual Fundraising Gala for JustWorld International

December 22, 2011 – Wellington, Florida – Join JustWorld International for a swinging 1920s-themed evening in support of its ninth annual fundraiser on Friday, January 20, 2012, in Wellington, Florida.  JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children.

Held at Maria Newman’s stunning Belle Herbe Farm in Grand Prix Village, guests will spend a glorious evening in the bygone era of the flapper.  The 1920s Speakeasy theme will be reflected through food, drinks and specialty entertainment created for the evening by renowned event planners, Dazzle Creative Events.  The who’s who of the Wellington equestrian and social scene will mingle with flappers, fellas, dames, mobsters and molls and gamble the night away with Lady Luck.  This evening is sure to be the Cat’s Meow as JustWorld International celebrates its past successes and fundraises for future accomplishments.

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Kentucky Horse Park Winter Hours and Seasonal Highlights

LEXINGTON, KY (November 14, 2011) – The Kentucky Horse Park kicks off its winter season with new hours of operation and a new blockbuster exhibition.

From now until March 14, the park will be open Wednesdays through Sundays, 9am to 5pm.

The highlight of the winter season will be “The Horse” exhibition through Apr 6 in the International Museum of the Horse, in collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History.  “The Horse” graphically portrays the horse’s impact on trade, transportation, labor, warfare, culture, and sports.  It showcases spectacular fossils, models, dioramas, and cultural objects from around the world, including many from the American Museum of Natural History’s world famous collections. “The New York Times” called this exhibition “charming and illuminating” and “an uplifting example of how horses enrich our lives.”  The “New York Post” said, “You absolutely must see it.”

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Horse Shows by the Bay Raises Awareness for Several Charities

Traverse City, MI – August 15, 2011 – Besides competing for prize money, awards, and points, or enjoying the surrounding Grand Traverse region, Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival exhibitors also found time to participate in several charity fundraisers held this season.

Held at the majestic Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, MI, the five-week-long summer destination circuit provided not only a first-class venue for equestrian competition, it also served as a backdrop for philanthropy and raising awareness.

Support from Hampton Green Farm, the Jacobs Family/Deeridge Farm and MEIJER enabled three charities to receive monies raised throughout the series.

With two locations in Fruitport, MI and Wellington, FL, Hampton Green Farm was the sponsor of a special participant fundraising party held during the Dressage by the Bay FEI Freestyle event on July 1. Party proceeds plus the gate admission sales during the following Molon Excavating Kids’ Day served as a weekend of awareness for Leelanau and Grand Traverse County 4H. Children of all ages enjoyed K9 agility demos, pony rides, face painting, horseless blue ribbon jumping and activities hosted by 4H and Sunny Country 101.9 FM Radio.

Hampton Green Farm specializes in the breeding and development of the PRE horse here in America and in Spain, and also hosts various educational events for young equestrians nationwide.

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