WELLINGTON, FL – February 22, 2011 – What do Smarty Sides, Tucker, Dirty During, Babylon, Smart As Lil, and Pimento have in common? They are six of the rescue horses at Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue in Loxahatchee, Florida, that will be the equine performers at the Fete Cheval on Friday, March 11, 2011, in Wellington, Florida, presented by Foundation Farm.
“We are so pleased that Pure Thoughts, an all volunteer 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of horses, yearlings and foals, bound for slaughter and victims of starvation, neglect and abuse, is donating the horses for this year’s event. It is a wonderful opportunity to directly tie together our mission with the event that we are sponsoring, and an opportunity for our guests to see first hand that despite neglect and abuse, these horses can continue to have useful lives,” said Lynn Coakley, President of The EQUUS Foundation. Pure Thoughts (http://www.purethoughtshorserescue.com) is one of the 60 charities that received grants from The EQUUS Foundation in 2010.
Casual chic will be the attire for this fun-filled evening at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The event will include a cocktail reception, auction, and dinner, but the highlight of the evening will be the gymkhana games in the International Grand Prix Arena. Ralph Caristo, Leo Conroy, and a guest from the audience will “judge” the competitors. Mason Phelps, Jr., will emcee the event.
Fete Cheval riders include Max Amaya, Pablo Barrios, John Brennan, Molly Ashe Cawley, Nick Dellojoio, Mario Deslauriers, Hillary Dobbs, Kent Farrington, Sandy Ferrell, Brianne Goutal, Patricia Griffith, Charlie Jayne, Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden, Kate Oliver, Rodrigo Pessoa, Peter Pletcher, Kim Prince, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Ken Smith, Shane Sweetnam, Jimmy Torano and McLain Ward.
“Not only the riders and guests will be enjoying the event; the horses will also surely enjoy being piloted by some of the world’s best hunter and jumper riders,” continued Coakley. Since 2002, Pure Thoughts has been rescuing horses including ex-racehorses. Since March of 2009, over 100 Thoroughbreds who have finished their racing career have been taken in by Pure Thoughts, who believes that there is life after racing that is not just in a pasture. These thoroughbreds have become show horses for children and adults, working in therapy programs for abused children, working horses for the police department, part of handicapped riding program, sport horses, pets/trails horses, and more. To date, Pure Thoughts Inc has helped over 1400 horses.
In order to raise funds, The EQUUS Foundation is seeking individuals and businesses throughout the equestrian and Palm Beach communities to assist with their gracious generosity. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Tables of eight for the Fete Cheval are available as follows: Gold Medal Front Row Center $5,000; Silver Medal Front Row $3,200; and Bronze Medal Second Row $2,400.
For additional information on The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., visit the EQUUS website at www.equusfoundation.org or contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at telephone (203) 259-1550, email to equus@equusfoundation.org.
About The EQUUS Foundation, Inc.
The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., established in August 2002, as a 501(c)(3) national charitable foundation, seeks to raise public awareness of the value of the horse in society through education and the awarding of grants to charities that use the horse to benefit the public, promote the health and welfare of horses, and elevate the equestrian sport as a whole.
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for the selection of the grant recipients. The Board includes: Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman; Catherine Herman, Vice Chairman; Jane FitzGerald, Secretary/Treasurer; Lynn Coakley, President; David Distler, David Goodwin, Patricia Keenan, Frank Madden, Richard Mitchell DVM, Clea Newman Soderlund, Susan Weber and Visse Wedell.
Thanks to the generosity of its donors, The EQUUS Foundation helps thousands of people and horses each year. Over $1.5 million in grants has been awarded since the first awards in 2003. 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.
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