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Charitable FoundationsBuilding a Legacy of Hope – The Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund
The launch party was generously sponsored by R. Bruce Duchossois, Missy Luczak Smith and Doug Smith, and friends of the EAF. “Creating an endowment fund is necessary to ensure long-term benefits exist and our commitment to help those in need is steadfast,” said R. Scot Evans, president of the Equestrian Aid Foundation. “Charlie was admired and respected by so many and it is an honor to remember him with the Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund. “Launching the Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund during the Alltech National Horse Show was an obvious choice, as he was the hunter rider that broke all the records at the National Horse Show held at Madison Square Garden.” JustWorld and Blenheim EquiSports Raise the Stakes A JustWorld Horseless Horse Show will be held during the CSI2*-W Las Vegas National, organized by Blenheim EquiSports, from November 2 to 6 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo credit – Sportfot Las Vegas, Nevada – Blenheim EquiSports, a leading equestrian event management company based in California, has gone all in, partnering with JustWorld International for its upcoming Las Vegas event. JustWorld is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children. Blenheim EquiSports and JustWorld International will launch their partnership at the 2011 CSI2*-W Las Vegas National, featuring $130,000 in prize money, held November 2 to 6 at the South Point Hotel and Casino. Several fundraising and awareness events will be held, including the signature JustWorld Horseless Show, which sees human competitors jumping obstacles on foot. Spectators can bet on great entertainment as they watch competitors race over a course of sponsored obstacles in the South Point Equestrian Arena concourse in their own ‘indoor’ event. “We see tremendous opportunity to expand JustWorld’s outreach to the equestrian community on the west coast by developing a partnership,” said Melissa Brandes-Braunstein, Senior Vice-President of Marketing for Blenheim EquiSports. “We look forward to a fabulous mix of events at the Las Vegas National. It will be fun for all, all for a great cause.” 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 Nominations Now Open for the Third Annual EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award; Deadline November 14 Bob Cacchione (far left), recipient of the 2010 EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award at the USEF Annual Meeting. Photo: Geoff Bugbee for USEF. Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and The EQUUS Foundation will honor the hard work and dedication of equestrians with the presentation of the third annual EQUUS Foundation Humanitarian Award to be presented during the Pegasus Awards at the USEF Annual Meeting in January 2012. In 2009, USEF and the EQUUS Foundation united to create the industry-wide award to celebrate the humanitarian achievements of a member of the equestrian world. Specifically, this humanitarian honor spotlights and exalts the selfless dedication of one individual or a group of individuals 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 sport but to the general public – the recipient will be someone who has devoted considerable personal time to making the lives and quality of life of our equine partners paramount. The 2010 recipient, Bob Cacchione, Executive Director of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), was selected from more than 20 nominees. At the core of Cacchione’s own passion for riding and appreciation for the opportunities made available to him as a young horseman is his understanding of the horse’s role as a great equalizer. With the concept of a level playing field as his cornerstone, he rallied the support of like-minded individuals from educational institutions, first in his region, and ultimately, from throughout North America. Those efforts led to the formation of IHSA. Thunderbird Raises $11,607 for JustWorld International Jane, Laura, George and Laura Jane Tidball all competed in the Family Extravaganza Equitation Class to help raise $11,607 for JustWorld International. Photo Courtesy of Thunderbird Show Park September 27, 2011 – Langley, British Columbia – Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC, raised $11,607 in support of JustWorld International during its recent Summer Classic and Summer Festival tournaments. JustWorld International is a not-for-profit, humanitarian organization working as a catalyst for positive change in the developing world by helping impoverished children. Thunderbird Show Park identified JustWorld’s Cambodia Rice for Families Project at Stung Mein Chey in Cambodia as the project it wanted to raise funds for. Setting a target of $9,000, Thunderbird far exceeded its fundraising goal by bringing in $11,607 from its various fundraising activities. The money will go directly to the project, giving families in the Stung Mein Chey garbage dump a 5 kg bag of rice each month, helping to reduce the need for children to gather food scraps or to earn money by picking through trash. Thunderbird held several fundraising and awareness events over the course of the Summer Classic tournament from August 17-21 and the Summer Festival tournament from August 24-28. JustWorld’s signature Horseless Horse Show, which sees people compete on foot over miniature jumps, was held on Friday, August 19, much to the delight of the crowd. A silent auction, which raised more than $4,000 in support of JustWorld, was also held the same day during the $50,000 Dianne Tidball Legacy Grand Prix. During the second week of competition, the fun-filled Groom’s Class took the spotlight in the grand prix ring on Thursday, August 25. Thunderbird Show Park matched the groom’s cash donations to help raise more than $600 for JustWorld’s project sites. Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Receives Gray & Jerry Fadden Horse Whisperer Grant Students at the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. Photo Courtesy of the Client. Buffalo, NY – September 6, 2011 – The Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center (BTRC) is pleased to announce that it recently received the prestigious Gray & Jerry Fadden Horse Whisperer Grant from the EQUUS Foundation. Each year, the EQUUS Foundation awards grants to charitable organizations that promote the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public. BTRC strives towards this goal as it promotes the unique bond between horses and people that can be particularly meaningful to children with disabilities. The grant was presented to the BTRC in the amount of $5000, which was based on the EQUUS Foundation’s knowledge and understanding of BTRC and its unique program. “We are just so grateful for their generosity,” commented Susan B. Schoellkopf, Director of the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center. “We can’t do the program without the support of a foundation like EQUUS. Lynn Coakley and Jenny Belknap Kees have been so supportive of the program, and it continues to grow by leaps and bounds every year. Over the last year, this grant allowed our program to serve about 80 more children, and we hope to see the same growth during the coming year.” Based in Buffalo, New York, BTRC provides a safe, relaxing and non-academic environment for children with physical and mental disabilities to interact with horses, volunteers and peers. The grant will be used for scholarships, as approximately 80% of the children who participate are economically disadvantaged and unable to afford the lessons. BTRC is a PATH International Premier Center, which is the highest level of certification available to charities providing therapeutic riding to individuals with disabilities. Operating out of Buffalo, New York, BTRC is a non-profit organization that promotes and teaches horseback riding – noted for its social and therapeutic benefits – to disadvantaged and emotionally challenged children. Since 1990, the center has provided the experience of riding and caring for horses to children with a variety of disabilities. The program has expanded steadily and currently serves more than 170 children annually. For more information on Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center, please visit www.thebtrc.org. Media Contact: Mason Phelps The EQUUS Foundation Announces 2011 Grant Awards
“Each year, the number of worthy charities applying for grants has increased, and this year was no exception. The selection process was very difficult,” said Jenny Belknap Kees, Board Chairman. “Organizations complete an extensive application to insure that the donations we receive from individuals and organizations, event attendance, and our named grant program, are well spent.” The Michele E. Arnhold Grant was established by the family of Michele E. Arnhold in 2008 in memory of Michele’s life-long passion, her pursuit of excellence and her commitment and contribution to the equestrian sport. The EQUUS Foundation selected the American Institute for Neuro-Integrative Development to receive the 2011 grant to underwrite the cost of providing therapeutic riding instruction to students with neuro-biologically based learning and developmental disabilities at the Giant Steps School in Southport, Connecticut. The program, which started as a pilot in 2007, is held at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, Connecticut, which donates the use of its facilities and horses. The Bridgeport Police Mounted Unit also supports the program by donating larger horses for the older children involved. 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. Double H Farm’s HH Narcos Du Marais & Christina Kelly Win the $32,500 Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation HH Narcos Du Marais owned by Double H Farm and ridden by Christina Kelly piloting the GMC Jump. Photos courtesy of Reflections Photography. WESTPORT, CT – June 30, 2011 – Christina Kelly aboard HH Narcos Du Marais owned by Double H Farm emerged victorious over a field of 24 competitors at the $32,500 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 25, 2011, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show held in Westport, Connecticut. Due to torrential rains earlier in the week, the decision was made on Friday to move Saturday’s Grand Prix from the grass Jumper Field to the Emerson Burr Ring with all weather footing. George N. Venizelos representing Wells Fargo Advisors was on hand to present the well-earned blue ribbon, along with Laura Totten of Coca Cola and Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave and The Dressing Room, Show Co-Chairs, Alison Ashman, Catherine Herman, and Jennifer Ross, and Lynn Coakley, President of The EQUUS Foundation. Thanks to the professional expertise of Show Manager William Glass and the Fairfield County Hunt Club staff led by General Manager Carla Nelson, spectators and over 400 guests at The EQUUS Foundation Grand Prix Benefit Luncheon were afforded ringside views to watch these riders and horses triumph over the difficult course designed by Olympic Course Designer Steve Stephens. The show’s generous individual and corporate sponsors included: the show’s Official Vehicle Sponsors, Buick & GMC; Magazine Sponsor, Moffly Media; Gold Medal Sponsors Avenue Capital Group, Fairfield Equine Associates, and Newmark Knight Frank; Silver Medal Sponsors, Coca Cola, Corinthian Partners, LLC, D’Addario Industries, Gary Goldberg Financial Services, Hi Ho Petroleum, Hospital for Special Surgery and Imperial Dental Associates; and Bronze Medal Sponsors, Agriventures Agway and Margaret Bondy Interiors. These sponsors presented awards all week long to the winners of the 250 separate equestrian competitions, which culminated with the Grand Prix on Saturday. Making Strides in the Ride for Hope! H. Rick Albertson photo by Carien Schippers There isn’t anything quite like being able to stand on your own two feet, but sometimes things happen that requires us to rely on our friends for support. That’s what drives the Equestrian Aid Foundation. Helping those who need a helping hand to stand again on their own. We have a special story of survival and hope from recipient H. Rick Albertson. Several may remember his story and I’m sure you will appreciate an update on this charismatic man. Also more exciting news with a recap of our day in the mountains. THIS JUST IN … Rebecca, a cancer survivor, has two handbooks for horse owners that will apply for the July promotion: |
Friends and supporters of the Equestrian Aid Foundation gathered last week at the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Ky., to launch the Charlie Weaver Legacy Fund. Named for legendary horseman Charlie Weaver, who passed away in 2010 from injuries sustained in a riding accident, the endowment fund will ensure the EAF’s mission continues to help those in dire need for decades to come.
WESTPORT, CT – August 31, 2011 – The Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the award of over $270,000 in grant awards to 72 charitable organizations that are improving the quality of life for horses and the people who benefit from their unique ability to empower, teach, and heal.
