Horse Stars Hall of Fame Established by EQUUS Foundation and USEF

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WESTPORT, CT – December 10, 2012 – The EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) are pleased to announce the establishment of the Horse Stars Hall of Fame to celebrate the extraordinary talent of horses and the magical and powerful bond between horses and people. The joint program will honor the contributions of amazing horses that have excelled in sport and in careers serving the public, feature the incredible stories of their athletic and humanitarian feats, and help build a more informed and compassionate America that values the compelling impact of horses in the lives of millions of people every day.

The USEF Horse of the Year (HOTY) awards program is one of the oldest nationally recognized multi-breed awards programs in the country. Starting in 2005, one horse has been selected as the year’s overall champion by the USEF membership from among a small slate of nominees. All of the nominees have been stellar, accomplished athletes. The “Athlete Horse Stars” in the Horse Stars Hall of Fame will include the USEF overall champion and also the slate of nominees each year since the inception of the program.

The EQUUS Foundation is seeking nominees for the induction of horses that have had or are having a life-changing impact in the field of equine assisted activities and therapies or other public service areas. Candidates for consideration also include horses that have excelled or are excelling in sport or public service after overcoming significant hardship. The nomination deadline is January 15, 2013.

“We are thrilled to form this new partnership with the Federation and to be able to honor the talent, spirit and courage of exceptional horses in the sport and public sectors,” said Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman of the Board of the EQUUS Foundation. “Horses enrich the lives of millions of people every day. We hope that the Horse Stars Hall of Fame will be a lasting legacy to share with the generations to come and a resource for the public to reflect on the horse’s extraordinary athletic ability and unique ability to empower, teach, and heal.”

Click here for the Nomination Form.

“This program is yet another extension of the ongoing relationship between the Federation and the EQUUS Foundation,” said John Long, CEO of the United States Equestrian Federation. “We applaud the EQUUS Foundation for their meaningful contributions to the equestrian sport landscape.”

The inaugural inductions into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame and the unveiling of the virtual Horse Stars Hall of Fame website will take place at the EQUUS Foundation’s “fête cheval étoile” event which will be held on Friday, March 8, 2013, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.

For more information, contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at equus@equusfoundation.org or 203-259-1550.

About The EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, advancing the use of horses to enrich the lives of people in need and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. What started as a local effort is now a nationwide campaign on behalf of horses. The Foundation accomplishes its mission by providing financial support to horse-related charities across the United States; connecting a network of equine organizations to equine enthusiasts; providing scholarships to reward volunteer service on behalf of horses, and conducting information outreach to educate the public about horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

About The United States Equestrian Federation

Established in 1917, the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), www.usef.org, is dedicated to uniting the equestrian community, honoring achievement, and serving as guardians of equestrian sport. The USEF promotes the safety and welfare of horses and riders while encouraging interest, participation and excellence at every competitive level and for all breed and discipline affiliates within the Federation family equally. The USEF is the only national organization dedicated to the promotion of the equestrian sport, fair competition and equine welfare regardless of breed or discipline.

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