Tag Archives: Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage

Community/Charity, Dressage, Equestrian Assistance, Para-Equestrian

Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage Reaches $800,000 Goal

Leave a comment

Gladstone, NJ – August 12, 2015 – In the spring of 2014, Margaret H. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation launched The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage to help raise $800,000 for the discipline. Through the challenge, Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation each pledged up to $200,000, matching dollar for dollar, gift commitments of $4,000 and above. This month the goal was reached, providing the Para Dressage High Performance program with critical funding.

“I am very excited that we have reached the goal,” expressed Duprey. “It is a wonderful boost for the Para Dressage discipline and will hopefully provide more awareness for the sport in the United States. The USET Foundation did a great job spreading the word about the need for funding through the campaign and social media, which will help the riders prepare for Rio and representing the USA.”

The purpose of the Challenge was to establish a base of funding for each of the next four years, which will provide for a High Performance program that will include training sessions, coaching and international competition opportunities leading up to and including the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The financial need for Para Dressage athletes at the High Performance international level can be quite significant. Unlike in most countries, the United States Equestrian Teams do not receive any government subsidies. The main source of funds for athletes to participate in international competition comes through the USET Foundation from individuals and foundations whose interest in and commitment to equestrian sport motivates them to make generous charitable contributions.

In addition to shipping horses to Europe and making sure that the correct support staff is in place, such as veterinarians and farriers, additional support staff is also needed for the riders so they are able to function at the highest level, both physically and emotionally, during competitions.

While traveling, especially overseas, wheelchair accessibility can be limited, and a rider benefits from having a personal care assistant to help them to not only move through low accessibility areas but also to monitor their physical well-being. Other supplementary support staff may include a person who is physically capable of helping a rider to mount their horse before competition and a physical therapist to work the rider’s muscles.

USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie B. Jenkins stated, “The Para Dressage High Performance program is growing each year, as are the number of riders who aspire to represent the United States at World Championships and the Paralympic Games. We are most grateful and appreciative to Margaret (Duprey) and The Barnfield Foundation for leading this effort, and to all the donors who made gift commitments allowing us to reach the goal.”

The funds raised by The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage will give riders the opportunity to achieve competitive excellence in international competition and help them to bring home medals in 2016!

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that 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.

For more information on the USET Foundation, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Community/Charity, Dressage, Para-Equestrian

The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage Needs Your Support

Leave a comment

Roxanne Trunnell and Nice Touch. Photo By: Susan J. Stickle.

Gladstone, NJ – November 10, 2014 – As the end of year draws near, The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage has raised $615,000 towards its $800,000 goal; however, in order to have the funding needed to implement the Para Dressage High Performance program, it needs more support from those in the equestrian community that want to see our Para Dressage riders have the opportunity to achieve competitive excellence in international competition.

The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge is an exciting fundraising initiative that was launched in April thanks to the incredible generosity of Margaret H. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation have each pledged up to $200,000, matching, dollar for dollar, gift commitments of $4,000 and above, payable over a four-year period made by April 1, 2015. Just as an example, a gift of $5,000 will provide $15,000 in funding with the match. “The opportunity that we have right now, to literally triple the amount of funding, is something people need to recognize and understand what a tremendous impact they can make for these most deserving athletes,” said Bonnie B. Jenkins, USET Foundation Executive Director.

“The Para athletes in the United States work very hard and deserve our unwavering support,” commented Duprey. “I became involved with The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage because there were no grants that these riders could apply for and I recognized the need to do something that could make a meaningful difference. The Para riders are just as important as the able-bodied riders and they deserve the same treatment and funding. I hope that everyone will take the time to support this effort, so that we can help these riders bring home medals.”

The purpose of this Challenge is to establish a base of funding for each of the next four years, which will provide for a High Performance program that will include training sessions, coaching and international competition opportunities leading up to and including the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“Having the support for the Para discipline is awesome,” said 2014 World Equestrian Games Para Athlete Roxanne Trunnell. “There are a lot of very talented Para riders in the United States and knowing that this country is behind us gives encouragement to strive to succeed.”

The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage will require extraordinary commitment and the support of those in the equestrian community who love the sport and desire to see our athletes, both equine and human, compete and win at the highest levels of international competition.

For more information on the USET Foundation and The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage, please call Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director or Sara Ike, Major Gifts Officer at (908) 234-1251, or visit www.uset.org.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that 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.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators’ highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Community/Charity, Dressage, Para-Equestrian

Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge More Than Half Way to Goal

Leave a comment

Jonathan Wentz and NTEC Richter Scale at the 2012 London Paralympics. Photo (C) Lindsay Yosay McCall.

Gladstone, NJ – June 30, 2014 – As Para Dressage riders are training and preparing for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage continues to gain momentum and bring in new pledges, having raised $585,000 towards the $800,000 goal.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation announced the new fundraising initiative in April, which has been made possible through the generosity of Margaret H. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation. The purpose of this Challenge is to establish a base of funding for each of the next four years, which will provide for a High Performance program that will include training sessions, coaching and international competition opportunities leading up to and including the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation have each pledged up to $200,000 and will match, dollar for dollar, every gift commitment of $4,000 and above made by April 1, 2015. Just as an example, a gift of $5,000 will provide $15,000 in funding with the match.

The initial response has been encouraging and generous. Parents, trainers and philanthropists have all come forward and pledged their support to help these athletes in their quest to represent the United States on the world stage.

Heather Blitz, an alternate for the 2012 London Olympics Dressage team knows what it takes to compete at the highest levels of equestrian sport, and she was eager to be a part of The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage.

“It’s hard not to contribute when Margaret Duprey and the Barnfield Foundation have offered to match two dollars for every dollar,” explained Blitz. “It’s very generous of them, and it’s very necessary for the Para riders to develop a stronger program. I have a Para student now, and I am learning more about the sport and what they need. I wanted to help, and this presented a wonderful opportunity.”

The two for one match from Margaret H. Duprey and The Barnfield Foundation has made this Challenge an opportunity that everyone will hopefully consider. A gift of $10,000, payable over four years for $5,000 a year, will provide $30,000 in funding. The USET Foundation hopes to meet its goal before the end of this year, so that the Para Dressage program will have the funding available for programs in 2015.

Bonnie B. Jenkins, USET Foundation Executive Director, said, “Without the commitment of Margaret and The Barnfield Foundation as well as the incredible individuals who have come forward, none of this would be happening. On behalf of the USET Foundation and the athletes who will benefit I extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to those who have already made a pledge: Margaret H. Duprey, The Barnfield Foundation, Janet Richardson-Pearson, Cauleen Glass, Gwynne McDevitt, Becky Reno and Ed Peavy, Heather Blitz, Annis Buell, Nancy and Bob Peavy, Sarah and Nicholas Armentrout and Deecie McNelly Denison”.

The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage will require extraordinary commitment and the support of those in the equestrian community who love the sport and desire to see our athletes, both equine and human, compete and win at the highest levels of international competition.

For more information on the USET Foundation and The Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge for High Performance Para Dressage, please call Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director or Sara Ike, Major Gifts Officer at (908) 234-1251 or visit www.uset.org.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that 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.

Written by: Rebecca Walton for the USET Foundation.

To view an online version of this press release, please visit: http://uspea.org/category/recent-uspea-press-news/.

About United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.