Tag Archives: USET Foundation

USPEA Acknowledges the Combined Efforts of Individuals and Organizations at the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Selection Trials

Debbie McDonald at the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Photo courtesy Tigger Montague for Dressage Daily

Gladstone, NJ – July 3, 2012 – It was a week to remember at the 2012 USEF Dressage Festival of Champions. Dressage was thrown into national headlines and for the first time there were foam fingers waving “Dressage is #1” at the Olympic Dressage Selection Trials. For two weeks the United States Equestrian Team Foundation hosted the best in Dressage including the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) 2012 Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and Paralympic Selection Trials. The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to thank everyone involved for a successful week of Para-Dressage competition at the beautiful Pine Meadow location at the USET Foundation headquarters.

Just over the hill from Hamilton Farm at the USET Foundation’s headquarters is another historic equestrian location called Pine Meadow. For years it has been used for competition and training purposes especially for the Driving discipline. For one week Pine Meadow was transformed into the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships and Paralympic Selection Trials. The USPEA would like to thank the USET Foundation for hosting the Para-Equestrians and providing the facilities for this event.

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Saturday Night at Alltech National Horse Show to Benefit USET Foundation

The USET Foundation jump, created by Brody Robertson, will be used at this year's Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, KY

Lexington, KY – June 26, 2012 – The 2012 Alltech National Horse Show announced today that for the second year in a row, the Saturday evening performance will once again benefit the United States Equestrian Team Foundation.

Following a successful debut last year, the second edition of the Alltech National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, is scheduled for October 30 through November 4, 2012. The show will once again be held at the Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

During the Saturday evening performance, featuring the show’s main event, the $250,000 Alltech Grand Prix, the horse show will share 50% of the night’s gate receipts with the USET Foundation.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international high performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation. Its main tasks are to support athletes, promote international excellence and build for the future.

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USET Foundation Awards Jacqueline B. Mars Training Grant to Jolie Wentworth

Jolie Wentworth was the recipient of the 2012 Jacqueline B. Mars International Competition and Training Grant from the USET Foundation. Photo By: Nancy Jaffer

Gladstone, NJ – May 7, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that the Jacqueline B. Mars Domestic Competition and Training Grant has been awarded to Jolie Wentworth of Martinez, CA. The grant is given to an Eventing rider who has been identified and recommended by the USEF Eventing Selectors, with an impressive record and potential to represent the United States in future international competition.

Wentworth began riding at the young age of seven, and one of her earliest trainers was Tracy Bowman of Kismet Farm in Martinez, CA. She entered her first competition at age nine and was hooked. Eventually Wentworth became a working student at Kismet Farm, and now she is Bowman’s partner in the business. Her Young Rider career took off at 19 and she began producing several horses at the advanced level. Currently, Wentworth is a USEF High Performance listed rider, and has set her sights on the world’s most demanding competitions.

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USET Foundation Presents Pinnacle Cup to Allison Springer

USET Foundation Trustee Bruce Duchossois presents Allison Springer with the USET Foundation's Pinnacle Cup Trophy as the highest placed American rider at the 2012 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** with her mount, Arthur. Photo by: Nancy Jaffer

Lexington, KY – May 2, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that this year’s recipient of the Pinnacle Cup Trophy at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event CCI**** is Allison Springer of Upperville, VA. Springer and her horse Arthur were the highest placed U.S. pair, finishing in second place at the top event, held April 29-29, 2012. Her remarkable score earned her the Pinnacle Cup Trophy, the red ribbon finish and the prize for best-conditioned horse.

Springer was thrilled to take the second place honors, especially since she has been working diligently with her 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse, Arthur. The pair performed beautifully throughout all three phases, taking the lead during the dressage phase. Springer and eventual champion, William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain, went neck-to-neck as they fought for the top spot.

Springer rode Arthur through a careful track on the cross-country course, taking a long route through the angled brushes to assure themselves no jumping faults. Her conservative approach did incur time penalties, but she concluded the phase with a score of 43 and only 3.2 time faults. A four-fault total in the show jumping arena meant that Fox-Pitt, secured the top spot, but Springer’s overall performance was right at the top of the leader board.

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USET Foundation to Host Benefit Fiesta at Del Mar National Horse Show

Del Mar, CA – April 16, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a benefit in support of the United States Equestrian Olympic Team during the 2012 Del Mar National Horse Show. On Friday, May 4, guests are invited to join the Foundation for Margaritas, Fiesta Food, and Lively Music at Barn W of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The event will get underway at 6:30p.m, following the Olympic Show Jumping Observation Event.

Robin Parsky, USET Foundation Trustee and Co-Chair of the Development Committee, will be chairing the event with her husband Gerry Parksy. “We often host USET Foundation Fundraisers in California, so we were looking for this opportunity to support the Team, and this is perfect timing,” she explained. “We will be inviting the exhibitors, horse owners, and USET Gold Medal Members from the West Coast. The Del Mar National is the largest and most prestigious show in California, so this is a great opportunity for us to get together and help raise money for the Team.”

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Katie Dinan Named 2012 Maxine Beard Award Winner by USET Foundation

George H. Morris, Jane F. Clark, Ronnie Beard, Katie Dinan, Elizabeth Miller, and Jamie Dinan at the Maxine Beard Award Presentation. Photo By: Vicki Valenti - The Book LLC

Gladstone, NJ – April 9, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Katie Dinan of New York, NY, has been selected as the 2012 recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award. Dinan received the Maxine Beard Award trophy at the American Invitational on April 7, 2012, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The selection was based on Dinan’s competitive record and future potential to represent the United States in international competition. The award provides Dinan the opportunity to be credentialed and travel with the U.S. delegation to the 2012 FEI World Cup Finals in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, from April 19 – April 22. She will observe the operations of an international championship, including the stabling area, veterinary inspections and schooling, and will walk the courses with the U.S. Show Jumping Coach, George H. Morris.

At just 18 years old, Dinan is already taking the grand prix circuit by storm looking like she will be at the top of the sport in no time. After winning the 2011 Individual Gold medal at the North American Junior Young Rider Championships aboard Vancouver last year, Dinan established herself at the grand prix level at the beginning of 2012. She proved that consistency is key, and with continued top placing at the biggest events at the Winter Equestrian Festival, she eventually took home the blue ribbon in the $50,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix with Nougat du Vallet.

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Successful Aiken Olympic Gala Raises Funds for USET Foundation and U.S. Eventing High Performance Program

Joan Hampf, Jessica Hampf (hosts) and committee members Jack Wetzel, Amy Ruth Borun and Evie Dutton. Photo By: Kate Samuels

Aiken, SC – March 19, 2012 – On Friday, March 16, 2012, Phillip and Evie Dutton hosted the fourth annual Olympic Gala in Aiken, SC at their winter facility in Bridle Creek. They helped bring the Aiken community together for a night of cocktails, a catered buffet, dancing, and a silent auction. The night raised $65,000 with all proceeds going to the USET Foundation for the benefit of the U.S. Eventing High Performance programs.

Top eventing riders Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin stepped forward as the Celebrity Hosts of the evening, welcoming the crowds as everybody gathered to enjoy the open bar and hors d’oeuvres, partaking in the raffle and silent auction while enjoying the music of Preston and Weston.

“I thought the gala was great, everyone had a wonderful time,” Evie commented. “We had over 300 people in attendance and there was a lot of excitement, especially with it being an Olympic year. There was great music, dancing and everyone really enjoyed themselves.”

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“Salute to Driving” Auctions Off Lessons with Chester Weber to Benefit USET Foundation

Chester Weber and his team during the marathon phase at the 2011 Live Oak International. (Photo courtesy of My Elisabeth Weber)

Aiken, SC (March 9, 2012) – For the second year in a row Chester Weber, the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving National Champion, donated lessons to the “Salute to Driving” Benefit to support the USET Foundation. The fundraiser featured a dinner and live auction, as well as clinics, held over three days at Wendy O’Brien’s Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, South Carolina.

“This was a wonderful event put on in Aiken to raise money for the USET Foundation. Last year the debut event benefited the country’s High Performance Driving programs for the USET Foundation and raised over $30,000,” Weber said. “I was pleased to be part of the event last year and once again this year.”

Weber said he was also happy to donate lessons to the auction. “I will provide the lessons to the winner during the Live Oak International in March,” Weber said. “Jack Wetzel purchased the tickets for the lesson and gave them to Jacob Arnold.  I know Mr. Arnold will enjoy his driving experience at Live Oak.”

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USET Foundation Olympic Gala in Aiken to Benefit U.S. Eventing Team

Aiken, SC – February 28, 2012 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Phillip and Evie Dutton will be hosting their fourth annual Olympic Gala in Aiken, SC on Friday, March 16, 2012 at 7 pm at Bridle Creek, their winter training facility. The night will bring the Aiken community together to enjoy cocktails, a buffet, dancing, and a silent auction while supporting the U.S. Eventing High Performance programs with a portion of the proceeds going to the USET Foundation.

“We are very excited to be hosting the benefit again for the Eventing Team with the lead up to the London Olympics,” explained Evie. “It’s a great night out for the Aiken community and a lot of fun for everybody while supporting a great cause.”

The event features top event riders Phillip Dutton and Boyd Martin as the Celebrity Hosts. Starting at 7 pm, guests can enjoy the open bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres as they partake in the raffle and silent auction while also dancing to the music of Preston and Weston.

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Second Annual Salute to Driving Benefit Offers Generous Support to USET Foundation

Lisa Singer and Wendy O'Brien at the 2012 Salute to Driving. Photo: Vicki Long

Aiken, SC – February 22, 2012 – For the second year in a row, the ‘Salute to Driving’ weekend benefit hosted a beautiful Dinner & Live Auction on Saturday, February 18, 2012, for the benefit of the United States Equestrian Team Foundation to help support the USEF High Performance Combined Driving. The successful evening was held at Wendy O’Brien’s beautiful Trout Walk Farm in Aiken, SC. The event was held to help raise funds for the USET Foundation that will be dedicated to helping train the best drivers and equines to represent the USA in World Driving Championships with the goal to bring home Team and Individual Medals.

The dinner began at 6:30 pm, and during the evening’s Live Auction, attendees bid on auction items which included lessons with top driver Michael Freund in Florida, lessons with Chester Weber during the Live Oak Driving Event 2012, a dinner for six presented by Jack Wetzel at his newly restored 1780s log cabin in Aiken, a week-long vacation in a four bedroom Victorian home on Block Island in Rhode Island, a Picnic Supper for 20 people at Wendy O’Brien’s Trout Walk Farm hosted by the Bronze medal winning team from the Pony World Driving Championships, and a Ride on a Coach with the Four-in-Hand Club with lunch in the Audubon Nature Preserve. In addition to the live auction, a silent auction featuring 30 quality items was held throughout the day on Saturday, and came to close following the dinner.

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