Tag Archives: charity

Sons of the Wind’s Pride of Portugal Lusitano Festival Raises over $5,800 for Breast Cancer Research

Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts hosted their annual "Pride of Portugal; the Lusitano joins the Ride for Life" Festival on Saturday, June 4, 2011. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Merrimac, MA – June 15, 2011 – The Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts hosted its Pride of Portugal; The Lusitano Festival on Saturday, June 4, 2011. There was a field full of guests in attendance for the horse show, which showcased the beautiful Lusitano horses and highlighted the amazing Portuguese culture. This year, the event donated all proceeds to the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation for Breast Cancer. The event helped raise over $5,800 for the organization. Later this month during the PVDA “Ride for Life,” Sons of the Wind will demonstrate the quadrilles and athletic aires above the ground to the thousands in attendance for the worthwhile cause.

The event got underway 2 p.m. at the beautiful Sons of the Wind facility in Merrimac, Massachusetts. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy the Portuguese culture while watching the beautiful Lusitano horses perform. It began with a presentation of two horses from the Sons of the Wind Lusitano Breeding Program, which was followed by an exciting Couple Quadrille, where riders showcased their horses in beautiful costumes.

Next, Sons of the Wind Founder Vitor Silva entered the ring to showcase the art of long lining, where the horse performed the piaffe, passage, and pirouette. A beautiful Ladies’ Pas de Trois and an exciting working equitation demonstration followed, and then Silva and his son showcased the Lusitano’s versatility with a simulated bullfight.

Continue reading Sons of the Wind’s Pride of Portugal Lusitano Festival Raises over $5,800 for Breast Cancer Research

Daniela Stransky Launches Step Forward Therapeutic Riding Plan Accepted by Pepsi Refresh

Daniela Stransky’s ‘Step Forward’ Plan for Pepsi Refresh Project to Bring Horses to Disadvantaged & Disabled Children in Florida & Beyond

Vote & Help Create Jobs & Offer New Skills to Community in Need

Stransky's Mission Farm staff working with a Step Forward child on a pony

Junior Jumper champion Daniela Stransky of Miami Beach, Florida believes horses are the key to helping disadvantaged and disabled children realize a fuller and happier life.  To help jump-start the therapy riding program at Stransky’s Mission Farm at Le Club Wellington, the 15-year-old came up with the “Step Forward” campaign and sent her idea to the Pepsi Refresh Project.  The program will start by assisting the Miami Dade County and Palm Beach communities, with the ambitious goal of expanding to serve other communities in the U.S and around the world.  To vote for ‘Step Forward,’ go to http://www.refresheverything.com/stepforward.

For the second year, Pepsi has asked people from across the United States to submit bold ideas that have the power to move communities forward, focusing on Education, Communities and Arts & Music. “I came up with this ‘Step Forward’ because I ride horses and they are a constant inspiration in my life,” explained the Miami Country Day High School student.  “I love horses, assisting others, and helping others help themselves. My ‘Step Forward’ equestrian therapy program will help kids experience horses and learn from them, feel empowered, make new friends, and dream new dreams.  I know personally, horses can become your best friend, and this program will allow kids who need a best friend to have one.”

Continue reading Daniela Stransky Launches Step Forward Therapeutic Riding Plan Accepted by Pepsi Refresh

The Fire at True Prospect Farm

Photo courtesy of Boyd Martin.

West Grove, PA – At 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, a fire destroyed the barn Boyd Martin was renting from Phillip Dutton Eventing at True Prospect Farm. Lillian Heard, Caitlin Silliman and Ryan Wood – the first on the scene as they were sleeping in the apartment above the barn – began evacuating the 11 horses who were in the barn at the time of the fire. Six horses were lost in the fire and five horses were rescued and received or are receiving treatment at The University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. USEF extends thoughts and sympathies to Martin and his team during these tragic events. If you would like to make a donation to help Martin and his team, please click here.

2011, United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.

Horse Radio Network (HRN) Announces Fundraising Events for Victims of Extreme Weather

Horse World Gives Back to Stage HRN Radiothon and Retail Day on June 6-7, 2011

Lexington, Kentucky, USA. May 30, 2011

The Horse Radio Network (HRN) has announced the creation of Horse World Gives Back, a charitable initiative aimed at uniting the horse world in a fund raising drive that will benefit horses and horse owners affected by the recent flooding and tornadoes across the United States.

HRN will host a 3 hour LIVE broadcast on June 6, 2011, 6-9 pm Eastern as a fund raising effort called the Horse World Gives Back Radiothon followed by a Horse World Gives Back Retail Day on June 7, 2011. Participating retailers will give back 5% of the day’s sales to the charities that will direct the funds towards helping horse owners across the country whose horses have been affected by the devastating weather damage.

This relief aid is being channeled through the Kentucky Horse Council’s Equine Disaster Relief Fund and the Red Cross. HRN and its media partners are reaching out to equestrian and equine related organizations to become involved and unite the horse world in this nationwide effort.

Continue reading Horse Radio Network (HRN) Announces Fundraising Events for Victims of Extreme Weather

McLain Ward Captures 2nd Grand Prix Victory in a Row in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

© ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Domino cruised to victory in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 4, 2011) — McLain Ward of Brewster, New York proved once again why he is considered one of the best riders in the world when he won his second Grand Prix in a row at HITS Saugerties. Just six days ago he captured the blue in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard his own Oh’D Eole. This time around Ward, riding Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino, edged out 35 other starters to take home the top prize in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Aside from being a coveted Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix qualifier, Friday’s class also benefited the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Canadian Danny Foster set the course which featured 16 efforts in the first round, including a triple combination mid-way through the route that proved troublesome for 16 of the entries in the class. “This was a difficult course and the wind was definitely a factor,” explained Ward, a decorated U.S. Olympian. “But I am excited about how well we did.”

The first clear ride of the afternoon came 11 trips into the class when Jonathan McCrea of East Windsor, Connecticut rode Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables, Inc.’s Colorado to a flawless first-round finish. The next two riders to show, Schuyler Riley of Wellington, Florida with South Beach Stables’ Lapacco, and Ward aboard Domino, also went clear, making it three for the jump-off with just about half of the class left to show.

Continue reading McLain Ward Captures 2nd Grand Prix Victory in a Row in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

Horseware Ireland Partners with JustWorld in Cambodia

Tom MacGuinness of Horseware Ireland visits the JustWorld International project site in Cambodia in April of 2011.

June 3, 2011 – Kinston, North Carolina and Wellington, Florida – Leading horse blanket and equestrian clothing manufacturer Horseware Ireland has reaffirmed its commitment to JustWorld International, partnering with the not-for-profit humanitarian organization to build another school at JustWorld’s project site, Stung Mean Chey, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

An official JustWorld International sponsor since 2005, Horseware Ireland has committed $25,000 to begin construction on the new school.  Equestrian humanitarian Maria Newman has also donated $10,000 towards the new school’s construction.  In March, Horseware Ireland spearheaded the first annual Strut! Fashion Show held at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival show grounds in Wellington, FL.  Proceeds from the fashion show bring the total raised to date to $35,000 for construction of the new school, which will be a three-story facility.

JustWorld currently operates two schools in Cambodia, one located in Stung Mean Chey, and the other at the Borey Keila project site, situated in an urban slum of Phnom Penh.  There are currently close to 600 students receiving instruction in English, Khmer, math, and traditional Khmer culture free of charge.  In addition to education, the schools provide clean water and basic nutrition to extremely poor families and children who otherwise have almost no resources.

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Horse World Give Back Needs Your Help for Flood/Tornado Victims

Hi everyone, we could use your help.  We have organized a fund raiser for the victims of the recent floods and tornadoes.  We are calling it Horse World Gives Back and we could use your help getting the word out to the horse world.

You will find the website with all the details at http://www.horseworldgivesback.com.

There are several ways you can help:

1.  Tune in to the Radiothon on June 6, 2011 and donate what you can, no matter the amount: http://www.horseworldgivesback.com/radiothon.

2.  Help us promote the Radiothon and Retail Day through your email lists, websites and social media.  More information, press releases and tools at http://www.horseworldgivesback.com/media.

3.  If you have a website of any kind post the Radiothon Player so people can listen to the broadcast on your website. Get the player here:

http://www.horseworldgivesback.com/radiothon-player-code/

Thank you for your interest in helping those in dire need.  Any questions, please email me or call me at 859-951-2022.

Glenn the Geek
Horse Radio Network

HITS to Host 2nd Annual Fundraiser for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during HITS-on-the-Hudson II

© ESI Photography. Margie Engle won the 2010 $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Engle was congratulated by HITS' Lisa Engel and Tony Hitchcock as well as survivor Zack Swart and family, Karen von Bachella, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Volunteers Melissa Signor and friends.

SAUGERTIES, NY (May 26, 2011) — HITS, Inc., is pleased to once again join forces with the Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to host a second annual fundraiser to support their mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, while improving the quality of life for patients and their families.

On Friday, June 3 the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, will be a charitable class to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Similar to last year’s event, HITS will help to raise money by engaging with exhibitors and spectators to pledge a donation for every clear jump the horse and rider combination of their choice completes in Friday’s feature class. Donations raised during the class will go directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which will provide funding for much-needed research and patient services. The top three riders who earn the most in donations will receive a prize.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $680 million in research funding. Last year, HITS exhibitors helped raise over $3,200 during its one-day fundraiser.

Continue reading HITS to Host 2nd Annual Fundraiser for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during HITS-on-the-Hudson II

Georgina Bloomberg Launches Teen Book Series

Real Life and Equestrian Experiences of Mayor’s Daughter Inspire The A Circuit; Available Today, May 24, 2011

New York, NY – May 24, 2011 – Today, Georgina Bloomberg, an accomplished professional equestrian, philanthropist and youngest daughter of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, launches The A Circuit (Bloomsbury, original paperback, $9.99), the first in a series of teen novels set within the equestrian world she knows so well.  Co-written with Cathy Hapka, Georgina brings an authenticity and flair to the books that will entice as much as they will fascinate.  The second novel in the series, entitled My Favorite Mistake, is scheduled to be released in March 2012.

The A Circuit is the A-List meets the elite horse world, capturing the lives of three teenagers, Zara, the wild child of a famous rock star, Kate, a working student serious about riding, and Tommi, a billionaire heiress, as they navigate the life of privilege and competition and figure out how to succeed while being true to themselves. The social drama set within an elite world will have teens flocking to this series.

The A Circuit captures the pressures and struggles that riders face, and is also a great lesson that working together in any sport can bring different people together,” said Georgina when asked why she decided to write the series.

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America’s Favorite Equestrian Round 2 Closing on May 31!

WESTPORT, CT – May 23, 2011 – One more equestrian with the lowest number of votes in each discipline will drop off the list at the end of Round 2 on May 31, 2011. Don’t let it be your favorite! All it takes is a $5 gift to The EQUUS Foundation to keep your favorite in the competition.

America’s Favorite Equestrians Round 2:

Dressage: Todd Flettrich, Courtney King-Dye, Debbie McDonald, Leslie Morse, Steffen Peters, Guenter Seidel
Driving: Tucker Johnson, Fred Merriam, Lisa Singer, Suzy Stafford, Rochelle Temple, Chester Weber
Endurance: Garrett Ford, Becky Hart, Dave Rabe, Robert Ribley, Julie Suhr, Bill Wilson
Eventing: Tiana Coudray, Phillip Dutton, Boyd Martin, Karen O’Connor, Kimberly Severson, James C. Wofford
Jumping: Margie Engle, Joe Fargis, Laura Kraut, Anne Kursinski, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward
Para-Dressage: Jennifer Baker, Robin Brueckmann, Laura Goldman, Mary Jordan, Susan Treabess, Jonathan Wentz
Reining: Casey Deary, Andrea Fappani, Shawn Flarida, Tom McCutcheon, Tim McQuay, Randy Paul
Vaulting: Megan Benjamin, Ali Divita, Kenny Geisler, Devon Maitozo, Mary McCormick, Katherine Wick

How to Vote:
Visit the link at http://www.equusfoundation.org/vote.

Continue reading America’s Favorite Equestrian Round 2 Closing on May 31!