Chester County, PA (August 8, 2011) – From winning world championships to winning gold medals, champion driver Suzy Stafford has found great success in the field of combined driving. Stafford hasn’t done it alone, however, and believes it takes a “team” for real success to be achieved. Stafford, who has been nominated for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships with her registered half-Arabian mare Miss Josephine, recently called upon her team – which includes sponsors, clients, friends, family, horse lovers and driving enthusiasts – to take part in an online eBay auction to help her raise the finances needed to travel to the World Championships in Slovenia.
“The eBay auction featured a variety of fabulous equestrian and non-equestrian items and I want to thank everyone who went online and bid,” Stafford said. “I have raised half of my budget for the trip and this was a big help in getting closer to reaching my goal. Shipping a pony and two carriages overseas is quite expensive, as you can imagine! There was a lot of last minute, ‘stealth’ bidding, and I am very pleased with the enthusiasm of the bidders and the outcome of the auction.”
Stafford added that she also wanted to thank all of the supporters who stood behind her and donated prizes. “There were so many fabulous items, from dressage or driving lessons with Larry Poulin to a catered three-course dinner for six to signed Breyer Model Horse statues. The two most popular items turned out to be the Dansko shoes and quilted dog bed; they went for more than expected,” Stafford said. “All the proceeds from the auction will go toward helping Josie and I travel to the World Championships in Slovenia, a trip that will cost over $40,000 including airfare for Josie and the shipping of the carriages and equipment. Without the support of my sponsors and contributors, none of this would be possible. Knowing that I have been helped in such a big way makes me even more thrilled to thank all of the donors, including Dover Saddlery, Shawn Faust, Jim Graham, Hidden Valley Acres, Bit of Britain, Beth and Dan Steinke, Chester Weber, Dansko, Unionville Feed, Weyerbacher Brewing Company, Vita Flex, Equine Journal, Larry Poulin and Harness by Smucker.”