Tag Archives: charity

2011 Challenge of the Americas Raises $275,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Mason Phelps, Mary Ross and Brian O'Connor at the 2011 Challenge of the Americas Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle Photography

Wellington, FL – March 22, 2011 – The tenth annual Challenge of the Americas competition and Gala were held Saturday evening, March12, at the beautiful International Polo Club Palm Beach. Held as a benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Play for P.I.N.K., the event raised approximately $275,000 in support of research to help find a cure for this disease that has affected so many lives.

The Challenge Gala got underway following an exciting evening of equestrian competition that included the first ever four-on-four polo match, where Team Vanderbilt-Ingram proved victorious.  Following polo the musical quadrille team challenge commenced with Team Purina USA earning the winning score in this fantabulous event.  This year’s gala, a sold-out affair with almost 600 in attendance, featured an evening of dinner and dancing and was held in the New Nespresso Lodge just off Piaget Field at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.  The sit-down dinner, silent auction and dancing was enjoyed by top riders, trainers and judges from the equestrian world of dressage and polo, along with generous sponsors and supporters.

Held as a benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation over the last ten years, the Challenge of the Americas has raised over 1.5 million since its inception in 2002. This year they will once again add a generous donation to that total. President of Play for P.I.N.K., spoke at the Gala and acknowledged all that Challenge of the Americas has done for breast cancer research. Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge) is a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds to fight breast cancer, by creating and promoting awareness of breast cancer through sporting and lifestyle events. They contribute 100% of all funds raised to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Continue reading 2011 Challenge of the Americas Raises $275,000 for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Brazilian Grand Prix Icon Paulo Santana Wins Step by Step Foundation’s All In for Charity Poker Tournament Championship

Step by Step Founder Liliane Stransky & Grand Prix rider Paulo Santana, who was the evening's Poker Champion, by Mancini Photos

International Equestrians Unite to Raise Funds & Awareness for Children in Need at Dinner Benefit at Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – Olympic show jumping legend Margie Engle and international children’s charity founder Liliane Stransky joined forces for the Step by Step Foundation’s second annual All In for Charity Poker Tournament and dinner benefit on Sunday, March 13 in Wellington, FL.  After Richard Spooner rode to victory in the $25,000 Suncast Jumper Classic, the action shifted to the tents for some fast paced, high stakes gaming in the Grand Prix Pavilion at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Engle, who was the Event Chair, was on hand with Stransky to welcome guests to the fun filled evening that featured fine food and good times for a great cause. Guests enjoyed a lovely buffet dinner as DJ Mario kept the music pumping, but it was the poker action that drew in the serious players and international teams.  Stransky had assembled a strong lineup of lovely ladies on her team including Engle, event organizer Kathy Andersen, Junior Jumper champion Daniela Stransky, and grand prix veteran Hillary Dobbs.  After donning their bright orange team Polos, the girls sat down to take on all challengers and raise funds for the children.

Continue reading Brazilian Grand Prix Icon Paulo Santana Wins Step by Step Foundation’s All In for Charity Poker Tournament Championship

County-wide support for The EQUUS Foundation and the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Horse Show

Left to Right, Alison Ashman, Elaine Campbell, Bettina Reynertson, Jennifer Ross, Margie Bondy, Jeannine Flower, Berkeley Soper, and Michelle Ippolito. Photo courtesy of The EQUUS Foundation.

WESTPORT, CT – March 18, 2011 – The EQUUS Foundation is pleased to announce that it has been selected as the beneficiary of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show to be held June 21-25, 2011 in Westport, Connecticut, and to recognize the members of the Horse Show Committee.

The Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show offers free admission and welcomes the public to come watch national and local equestrians compete, especially at the show’s culminating event, the $25,000 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 25, 2011, presented by Wells Fargo Advisors and George N. Venizelos.

Spectators and exhibitors are also welcome to attend the EQUUS Benefit Luncheon held in conjunction with the Grand Prix and enjoy a champagne reception, silent auction, and delicious buffet while watching world class riders and horses navigating over the highest level obstacles at racehorse speeds.

In addition to the Grand Prix, the show will feature a Welcome Jumper Class previewing the talents of some of the competitors in Saturday’s Grand Prix and the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic sponsored by Buick and GMC, the Official Vehicle of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show.

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Darragh Kenny Leads the Fun & Games at Fete Cheval for The EQUUS Foundation

Fete Cheval winner Darragh Kenny riding Leia, with Visse Wedell, Clea Newman Soderlund, Jenny Belknap Kees, and Elizabeth Press. Photo By: Phelps Media Group.

Wellington, FL – March 15, 2011 – This year’s Fete Cheval was a huge hit that featured fantastic riders performing games on rescue horses on Friday, March 11, 2011. The beautiful night, presented by Foundation Farm, benefitted The EQUUS Foundation, which helps equestrian and horse related charities across the United States. There was a beautiful dinner for guests, catered by White Horse Tavern Catering on the grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at their Special Events Tent.

The evening’s events got underway at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails and a silent auction, which were followed by a dinner buffet. The main event, the Gymkhana Games, got underway at 8:00 p.m., with horses provided by Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue and a group of world class riders. This year’s riders included Max Amaya, Derek Braun, Nick Dello Joio, Sandy Ferrell, Patricia Griffith, Charlie Jayne, Darragh Kenny, Kate Oliver, Kim Prince, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Shane Sweetnam, Jimmy Torano, and McLain Ward. As part of the silent auction, guests could bid to become a guest rider, which went to junior rider Alex Crown. The judges for the night were Ralph Caristo and Leo Conroy, along with special guest judge Kim Jacobs, with emcee David Distler.

Continue reading Darragh Kenny Leads the Fun & Games at Fete Cheval for The EQUUS Foundation

Japan Equine Relief

The WHIA is collecting supplies and cash for equine businesses in Japan following the massive earthquake. We are working with the U.S. state department and Japanese associations. Details will follow soon!

Executive Director Catherine Masters lived in Japan for five years and her heart is broken by the horrible natural disaster in Japan. She is asking all of the WHIA members to help her raise money and supplies for the victims and the horses.

As soon as we are confident that our money and supplies will get to the proper authorities, we will contact you again. As you know, the breeders, the riding clubs and the horse owners will need everything. CASH is probably the best thing we can send. Due to massive destruction it may take us a little while to get the proper channels working with us.

Thanks for helping us ahead of time!

Catherine Masters
1962 Graduate of Yamato High School

Women’s Horse Industry | P.O. Box 724 | Madison | TN | 37116

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Arenus Announces Sponsorship of Challenge of the Americas at International Polo Club Palm Beach to Benefit Breast Cancer Research

Arenus will be sponsoring the polo portion of the competition which takes place March 12 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Wellington, FL (March 10, 2011) – Arenus, a premier provider of innovative health and nutrition products for pets and horses, is pleased to announce they are sponsors of The Challenge of the Americas, a Grand Prix International Musical Freestyle Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge). The Challenge of the Americas will be held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on March 12.

“The Challenge of the Americas is well known in the equestrian world for its spectacular performances and the fact that it raises money to fight breast cancer. Arenus is pleased to be part of the 10th Anniversary of The Challenge of the Americas and we are excited to announce that we are sponsoring the polo playing during the event,” said Kristen Galvan, an Arenus Sales Specialist for the southeast.

The Challenge of the Americas is an annual fundraiser and a one-of-a-kind affair that highlights the equestrian sports of dressage and polo.  Riders competing in the event make up a “Who’s Who” of top equestrians from the United States, Canada, Latin American and Europe. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, gets underway immediately following The Challenge of the Americas competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

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Challenge of the Americas This Saturday, March 12 at International Polo Club

Challenge of the Americas. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2011 – The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas competition and gala is set for this Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. Beginning at 5:15 pm at the Nespresso Lodge, the 2011 Challenge of the Americas (COTA) will be presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and will benefit Play for P.I.N.K., a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This equestrian evening features musical team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. COTA will be an exciting evening to benefit an incredible cause. In addition to the team quadrille dressage challenge the evening’s events will feature a special polo match.

COTA Chairmen Mary Ross, along with Georgette Escobar and the Challenge Committee are proud to present an International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

Continue reading Challenge of the Americas This Saturday, March 12 at International Polo Club

Come Prepared to Ride at the Fete Cheval to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

Rodrigo Pessoa at the 2010 Fete Cheval to benefit The EQUUS Foundation. Photo courtesy of The EQUUS Foundation.

WELLINGTON, FL – March 7, 2011 – It’s a sell out for dinner, but performance seating is still available for the Fete Cheval to benefit The EQUUS Foundation and presented by Foundation Farm, which will be held on Friday, March 11, 2011, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. Performance seats are $100 per person and include an open bar and great entertainment!

One lucky winner of the Fete Cheval Rider Raffle will have the opportunity to ride with professional riders, Max Amaya, Pablo Barrios, Derek Braun, Molly Ashe Cawley, Nick Dellojoio, Mario Deslauriers, Hillary Dobbs, Sandy Ferrell, Brianne Goutal, Patricia Griffith, Charlie Jayne, Darragh Kenny, Laura Kraut, Kate Oliver, Rodrigo Pessoa, Kim Prince, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Shane Sweetnam, Jimmy Torano and McLain Ward. Raffle tickets at $100 per ticket will be on sale at the event. The winner must be a guest at the event, and wear appropriate riding attire for the games, including a riding helmet.

The International Club will be closed for the evening to focus all the festivities in the Special Events Tent, where, prior to the games, a cocktail reception, auction, and dinner will be held starting at 6:00 p.m.

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Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala

Steiner and Hoag. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle Photography

Wellington, FL – March 3, 2011 – The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas competition and gala is set to take place on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. Beginning at 5:15 pm at the Nespresso Pavilion the 2011 Challenge of the Americas (COTA) will be presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC) and will benefit Play for P.I.N.K., a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

This equestrian evening features musical team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. COTA will be an exciting evening to benefit an incredible cause. In addition to the team quadrille dressage challenge the evening’s events will feature a special polo match.

COTA Chairmen Mary Ross, along with Georgette Escobar and the Challenge Committee are proud to present an International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.

Continue reading Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala

Pre-Screening of Sundance Award Winning Film BUCK to Support Emerging Athletes Program

Wellington, FL – March 3, 2011 – Support the USHJA’s Emerging Athletes program by purchasing tickets to see the Sundance Award Winning film Pre-Release Screening of BUCK on Sunday, March 6 at 7:00 PM in the Special Events Tent by the Grand Prix Arena on the WEF Showground in Wellington, Florida.

You must put the name of the person for the ticket and each ticket is $100.00, which includes a big Event night filled with the spirit of the Horse Whisperer himself.  Food and drink and a very worthy cause: our young riders of the USA who need sponsorship and help to fulfill their dreams of a chance to be one of America’s best in the saddle.  Come on folks! Support these kids! If you can’t make it, you can still support and donate.  Almost every other country in the world has a support for young equestrians to get training and consideration.  It’s time for us to do MORE! SUPPORT THE SPORT!

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit https://www.ushja.org/sa/foundation/movieTickets.aspx.

Continue reading Pre-Screening of Sundance Award Winning Film BUCK to Support Emerging Athletes Program