Tag Archives: charity

The EQUUS Foundation and the USEF Launch America’s Favorite Equestrian

WESTPORT, CT – December 17, 2010 – America’s Favorite Equestrian is an interactive fundraising effort presented jointly in partnership by The EQUUS Foundation and The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to raise funds to advance the equestrian sport on an annual basis.

Using mobile texting, you can vote to select America’s Favorite Equestrians and support The EQUUS Foundation with a $5 gift. 100% of all donations will be used to support charitable causes. A minimum of $10,000 in “sport welfare” grants will be awarded, with an additional $5,000 grant awarded to the equestrian discipline generating the most votes.

The objective is for the America’s Favorite Equestrians to be an ongoing program with all equestrian disciplines/breeds represented and the winners recognized in a permanent “Hall of Fame”. The original intent was to launch the inaugural program in conjunction with the World Equestrian Games, which is why initially the eight disciplines of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para-dressage, reining, and vaulting were selected. The affiliates of the United States Equestrian Federation representing these disciplines selected the equestrians.  But, there were some logistics involved in establishing the mobile texting system and developing the website, which delayed the launch until December.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12751

FEI and Reem Acra Give Christmas Treat to Children from Inner City London Horse Charity

Laura Bechtolsheimer (centre) and Shetland pony foal Minty with members of the Ebony Horse Club from Brixton during the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier, with Lisa Wells (far right), Reem Acra, Director of Special Events and Sponsorships (Photo: Phil Mingo/FEI)

London, 15 December 2010 – A group of children from one of London’s most disadvantaged boroughs got an early Christmas treat today (Wednesday 15 December), when they were invited by Hollywood fashion designer, Reem Acra, and the governing body for horse sport, the FEI, to attend one of the sport’s premier events in London.

The London International Horse Show at Olympia, venue for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage, is one of the most glamorous events on the FEI calendar and is attended by members of the British Royal family and other high profile celebrities.

Today, children from the Ebony Horse Club charity got a chance to experience some of that glamour – from one of the best seats in the house.

International fashion designer Reem Acra, new sponsor of the FEI World Cup Dressage, invited the children to experience the magic of world-class Dressage whilst enjoying dinner in the sponsor’s hospitality suite.

The group also met one of the UK’s leading Dressage riders Laura Bechtolsheimer, who recently won three silver medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

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Georgina Bloomberg’s Rider’s Closet at Pegasus Helps Riders in Need

Personal collection photo. TylerMarie Hylick of Glen Mills, Pa., proudly models some of the apparel she recently received from The Rider's Closet.

North Salem, NY – December 14, 2010 – Georgina Bloomberg’s charitable venture, The Rider’s Closet, is in the business of giving and receiving, not just during the holidays, but all year long. From therapeutic riding centers to pony clubs to collegiate equestrian teams, Bloomberg’s apparel exchange program has made a real difference for hundreds of equestrians who want to participate in competitive, scholastic or therapeutic riding but are unable to afford the gear.

Liz Olsezewski, founder of Horses Healing Hearts USA, a nonprofit in Lake Worth, Fla., which works with children of alcoholics and addicts, recently contacted The Rider’s Closet for a shipment of much-needed boots and clothing. After receiving the items, Olsezewski wrote a heartfelt thank-you letter that was signed by her riders. She noted that they “feel like true equestrians now and are feeling very proud.” This sentiment is echoed again and again in riders’ notes of appreciation to Bloomberg and The Rider’s Closet volunteers.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12721

Ken and Arle Adams Make Record-Breaking $5 Million Gift to USET Foundation

George Morris, Jane Forbes Clark, Arle Adams, Ken Adams. Photo By: Kenneth Kraus/ PhelpsSports.com.

Gladstone, New Jersey – November 10, 2010 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is honored to announce a $5 million endowment bequest from Ken and Arle Adams of Wellington, Florida. This gift will mark the creation of the Ken and Arle Adams International Competition and Training Grant Fund. Providing an annual grant, the fund will add supplemental funding to the three Olympic disciplines’ High Performance programs: dressage, eventing, and show jumping. These funds further augment the international competition and training plans that repeatedly generate Olympic and World Championship medal winning performances. Grants of such generous nature are what allow the United States of America to remain at the top of the international equestrian sport.

“This extraordinary gift will be the largest gift ever made to the USET Foundation, and the Foundation is so grateful to Ken and Arle for their generosity. Leaving a dynamic legacy that will forever bear their name, the Adams’ gift will be a determining factor in this country’s ability to medal consistently in international championships in the future,” remarked Jane Forbes Clark, USET Foundation President and CEO.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12536

After the Finish Line Thoroughbred Racehorse Rescue Funding Non-Profit

“The greatest victory for a Thoroughbred is not winning a race, but winning the race to live long past their days on the racetrack.”

You may have watched today’s Breeders’ Cup races. This select group of horses represents the fastest Thoroughbreds not only in the United States, but in the world. After the Finish Line congratulates these champions who provide all of us with a thrill of a lifetime.

Let’s not forget about the thousands of other racehorses who race with the will to win but do not have successful racing careers. There are other opportunities we can provide for them. After the Finish Line is dedicated to helping these ex-racehorses transition and excel in a second career.

Read about our dedication to the Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in After the Finish Line’s November newsletter, http://afterthefinishline.org/newsletter.htm. Please forward this message to your friends who are interested in helping the Thoroughbreds.

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Making Strides in the Ride for Hope!

The summer season came to a close with several terrific fundraisers. It was great to see so many people with a passion to help others in need.

“Back Where It All Began” held during the Hampton Classic Horse Show turned out to be a fun-filled, elegant event. Special thanks to the event chairman Stephanie Riggio for creating a successful evening.

More than 1,200 eventers joined us at the competitors’ party during the American Eventing Championships at Chattahoochee Hills in Fairburn, Ga. Great food, dancing and an auction completed the party.

The “Play It Forward” poker tournament in Las Vegas was great fun as the competition moved from the reining ring to the poker table. Special thanks to Mandi Brumley of Brumley Management Group and all our friends at the High Roller Reining Classic.

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Calling All Charities! The Great Charity Challenge Is Back and Bigger Than Ever in 2011

Wellington, FL – October 15, 2010 – Equestrian Sport Productions and the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) are offering the chance of a lifetime to charities serving Palm Beach County. The FTI WEF will once again host the Great Charity Challenge on the evening of Saturday, February 19, and this year the goal is to raise a tremendous amount of $1 million, all of which will be donated to charity.

The Great Charity Challenge (GCC) is an exhilarating pro/am relay style jumping competition that will take place under the lights in the International Arena at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to benefit 30 non-profit charities. 2010 was the event’s inaugural year, and over $560,000 was raised and donated to 24 charities that were randomly selected to participate in the event.

Teams, which are generously sponsored by families and individuals, consist of two junior/amateur riders and are anchored by one Olympic or world-class rider. Each equestrian team is assigned a charity to represent, and the charity matched with the winning team of riders will win over $100,000!

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Step by Step Benefit for Children at PBIEC Hosted by Olympian Margie Engle

Olympic Show Jumping Medalist Margie Engle & Step by Step Foundation’s Liliane Stransky Host 2nd Annual “All In for Charity 2011” Poker Tournament & Charity Benefit for Children in Need around the World

(Sunday, March 13, 2011 – 6:30 PM to Midnight)

WHO:  Event Chair Margie Engle, an Olympic medalist and 10-time AGA Rider of the Year, and Step by Step Foundation’s President Liliane Stransky, will host the “All In for Charity 2011” poker tournament and charity benefit dinner.  Olympic riders Chris Kappler, Jimmy and Danielle Torano, international course designer Olaf Peterson, and ESP’s CEO Mark Bellissimo, will be among the guests invited back to the tables for this fun filled benefit and night of gaming.

WHAT: Step by Step Foundation’s 2nd annual benefit to help raise funds for children in need around the world.  The transformation into a fun-filled casino will take place in The Hospitality Tent, overlooking the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s international arena. General admission will include a catered buffet dinner and a seat at the tables for roulette, craps, poker, Three Card Draw, Black Jack, and other games of chance. There will be dancing and a DJ, exclusive art, equestrian merchandise, celebrity memorabilia, and prizes awarded throughout the night.

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The EQUUS Foundation Announces 2010 Grant Awards

WESTPORT, CT – August 31, 2010 – The Board of Directors of The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce the award of its 2010 grants to 60 charitable organizations that use the horse to benefit the public; promote the horse’s health and welfare; and advance the equestrian sport.

The EQUUS Foundation is dedicated to securing homes and useful lives for horses, enhancing the lives of people who benefit from horses, and educating the public on the significant impact horses have in our every day lives.

Today, millions of people are involved with horses – recreationally, competitively, and therapeutically. Age is not a limitation – horses are helping children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Therapeutically, our equine partners have long been helping individuals bear the burdens of disabilities and debilitating diseases as well as those coping with economic disadvantages and at-risk situations.

Most recently, horses are coming to the aid of children with autism. Autism represents perhaps the fastest growing population who can benefit from equine therapies. Based on Center for Disease Control (CDC) data, an average of 1 in 110 children have been diagnosed with autism, a 57% increase in the rate of diagnosis based on a 4-year CDC study conducted from 2002 to 2006. A U.S. Department of Education study determined that autism diagnosis is growing at a rate of 10-17% year.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12058

Hampton Green Farm to Host Dressage 4 Kids Fundraiser at Region 2 Championships

Maria Lithander at Dressage by the Bay. Photo © 2009 Diana Hadsall.

Traverse City, MI – August 31, 2010 – Horse Sports by the Bay is pleased to announce that Hampton Green Farm, known nation-wide for their dedication to dressage and to the development of the PRE Horse for Dressage in America, will be hosting a Dressage 4 Kids Fundraiser and exhibitor party during the Great American Insurance Group/Region 2 Dressage Championships on Saturday, September 11.  The Regional Championships are being held from September 9 – 12 at Flintfields Horse Park in Traverse City, MI, which is home to the prestigious Horse Shows by the Bay Equestrian Festival.

The fundraiser features a silent auction which will include riding helmets donated from English Riding Supply and other retail pieces donated by Sporthorse Saddlery and Equine Source among others.  Funds collected from the auction and from ticket sales to the exhibitor party will go directly back to Dressage 4 Kids’ extensive education campaign.  Donations are still being taken for the Auction; please email here for more information.

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