Tag Archives: The EQUUS Foundation

Fairfield County Hunt Club June Show Recognized as USEF Heritage Competition

Michele Ippolito, Jennifer Ross and Jane FitzGerald. Photo courtesy of EQUUS Foundation.

WESTPORT, CT – October 1, 2012 – The EQUUS Foundation and the Fairfield County Hunt Club are proud to announce that the Club’s June Benefit Horse Show was granted the coveted designation, Heritage Competition, by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF). The Heritage designation is an honor bestowed by the USEF, the governing body of the equestrian sport, and is the highest honor that can be achieved by a horse show in the United States. Only 14 horse shows of the more than 2,600 USEF competitions across the United States can claim this distinction.

The EQUUS Foundation has been the show beneficiary since the Foundation was first established in 2003, and has awarded over $2 million in grants to charities that ensure the well-being of horses and foster the horse-human bond, especially for those with special needs. None of this would have been possible without the patronage of Fairfield County Hunt Club June Show. “Giving Back” has been a long standing commitment of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Horse Show, with each of the more than 250 classes sponsored by an individual or local business making a donation to the show beneficiary.

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Fairfield County Hunt Club Brings Home the Medals at the Connecticut Finals

Left to Right: Carly Crossfield with Tambourine Man: 9th place, Dimitra Ippolito with Lady Bug: 3rd place/Bronze Medal, Vicky Orlin with Rain Sox: 1st place/Gold Medal, Gabby Alecia with Benlea Mizzou: 7th place, and Hannah Trudeau with Havana: 8th place. Reflections Photography.

WESTPORT, CT – August 20, 2012 – Official Automotive Sponsor of the EQUUS Foundation, Audi Fairfield, Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield, and Porsche of Fairfield, formed the backdrop for the Winner’s Circle at the Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association (CHJA) Finals at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport, Connecticut. Rooted on by their trainers, Jenny Martin-Rudaz, Becky Moyher and Cassie Herman, young riders from the Fairfield County Hunt Club took home two of the three medals and five of the ten winning places in the Pony Medal on Saturday, August 18, 2012.

About The EQUUS Foundation, Inc.

The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., established in August 2002, as a 501(c)(3) national charitable foundation, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, fostering the use of horses to enrich the lives of those in need, and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal.

What started as a local effort is now a nationwide campaign on behalf of horses. The Foundation accomplishes its mission by providing financial support to horse-related charities across the United States; connecting a network of equine organizations to equine enthusiasts; providing scholarships to reward volunteer service on behalf of horses, and conducting information outreach to educate the public about horses.

Continue reading Fairfield County Hunt Club Brings Home the Medals at the Connecticut Finals

Action Packed Competition & Events Coming Up at the Fairfield June Horse Show

WESTPORT, CT – June 11, 2012 – The Fairfield County Hunt Club June Horse Show starting on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, is packed full with over 250 individual equestrian competitions over the course of the five-day show, and is a great family activity. With free admission and free parking all week, the public is welcome to come watch national and local equestrians of all ages compete, shop at over 20 boutiques onsite, and take advantage of the full service, gourmet food and beverage concession offering refreshments, breakfast, lunch, dinner each day. Bring your picnic blankets!

The show’s generous individual and corporate sponsors will be on hand throughout the week to present awards to the ribbon winners. Corporate sponsors include Fairfield Grand Prix Presenting Sponsor: Wells Fargo Advisors and George N. Venizelos; Official Beverage Sponsor: Nestlè Waters North America; Official Magazine Sponsor: Moffly Media; Gold Medal Sponsors: Avenue Capital Group, Fairfield Equine Associates, and Newmark Grubb Knight Frank Global Corporate Services; Silver Medal Sponsors: Coca-Cola Company, Corinthian Partners, LLC, D’Addario Industries, Fence Man, Inc., Gary Goldberg Financial Services, Hi Ho Petroleum, Hospital for Special Surgery, Imperial Dental Associates, Margaret Bondy Interiors and Wise Metals Group; Bronze Medal Sponsors: Agriventures Agway and Blue Star Jets LLC; and Grand Champion Sponsors: Equine Tack & Nutritionals, Forte Gelato, Teddy’s Limousine, and Westport Eyecare Associates.

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Double H Farm’s HH Narcos Du Marais & Christina Kelly Win the $32,500 Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

HH Narcos Du Marais owned by Double H Farm and ridden by Christina Kelly piloting the GMC Jump. Photos courtesy of Reflections Photography.

WESTPORT, CT – June 30, 2011 – Christina Kelly aboard HH Narcos Du Marais owned by Double H Farm emerged victorious over a field of 24 competitors at the $32,500 Grand Prix on Saturday, June 25, 2011, the culminating event of the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Benefit Horse Show held in Westport, Connecticut.

Due to torrential rains earlier in the week, the decision was made on Friday to move Saturday’s Grand Prix from the grass Jumper Field to the Emerson Burr Ring with all weather footing.

George N. Venizelos representing Wells Fargo Advisors was on hand to present the well-earned blue ribbon, along with Laura Totten of Coca Cola and Michel Nischan of Wholesome Wave and The Dressing Room, Show Co-Chairs, Alison Ashman, Catherine Herman, and Jennifer Ross, and Lynn Coakley, President of The EQUUS Foundation.

Thanks to the professional expertise of Show Manager William Glass and the Fairfield County Hunt Club staff led by General Manager Carla Nelson, spectators and over 400 guests at The EQUUS Foundation Grand Prix Benefit Luncheon were afforded ringside views to watch these riders and horses triumph over the difficult course designed by Olympic Course Designer Steve Stephens.

The show’s generous individual and corporate sponsors included: the show’s Official Vehicle Sponsors, Buick & GMC; Magazine Sponsor, Moffly Media; Gold Medal Sponsors Avenue Capital Group, Fairfield Equine Associates, and Newmark Knight Frank; Silver Medal Sponsors, Coca Cola, Corinthian Partners, LLC, D’Addario Industries, Gary Goldberg Financial Services, Hi Ho Petroleum, Hospital for Special Surgery and Imperial Dental Associates; and Bronze Medal Sponsors, Agriventures Agway and Margaret Bondy Interiors. These sponsors presented awards all week long to the winners of the 250 separate equestrian competitions, which culminated with the Grand Prix on Saturday.

Continue reading Double H Farm’s HH Narcos Du Marais & Christina Kelly Win the $32,500 Fairfield Grand Prix to Benefit The EQUUS Foundation

USEF Equestrians in Action: New Program Encourages Youth to Volunteer, Offers $1,500 Grant

Photo by Jeannie Blancq Putney/USEF Archives

Lexington, KY – Equestrian youth have a new opportunity to give back to the community – and a chance to win a $1,500 grant.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equestrians in Action program tracks youth volunteer hours that are aimed at improving the welfare of the horse or positively promoting equestrian sport. Sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation, the program encourages youth to give back to equestrian sport  –  at horse shows, equine promotional events, equine businesses or organizations, trade fairs, therapeutic riding clinics, horse rescue and 4-H events.

The participant with the most volunteer hours in 2011 (minimum of 150 hours) will earn a $1,500 grant for his or her education or training. All youth have the opportunity to earn one of three certificates depending on their participation level. Those who volunteer at least 50 hours will be awarded a Bronze certificate while youth who volunteer at least 100 hours will receive a Silver certificate. The highest level, the Gold certificate, will go to those who volunteer 150 or more hours. In addition, the top 10 participants will receive special “Top Ten” certificates.

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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.

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Robert Orthwein Named 2011 Equestrian Idol Winner

Catherine Herman, Robert Orthwein, Patricia Keenan, and Rebecca Brewer Photo Credit: Alyson Sanderford/PMG.

WELLINGTON, FL – February 7, 2011 – Equestrians from all disciplines gathered on Friday, February 4, 2011, to enjoy the Equestrian Idol Musical Talent Show presented by Tiffany & Co. Palm Beach Gardens where the top prize of the evening was awarded to Robert Orthwein. Six talented performers vied for the crown, but Orthwein’s unique and incredible performance won over the judges to earn him the 2011 title. Equestrian Idol, co-chaired by Catherine Herman and Patricia Keenan, was the first event to be held in the “new” Grande Pavilion at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy cutting edge culinary catering trends and the latest in food styling by the newly formed International Polo Club Catering Company.

The EQUUS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that seeks to educate the public on the significant impact of horses in our everyday lives and award grants to charities that use the horse for the benefit of the public, promote horse welfare, and advance the equestrian sport.  The Foundation has awarded over $1.5 million in grants, thanks almost entirely to events like Equestrian Idol.

Mason Phelps, Jr. emceed the 5th year of the event, kicking things off by thanking everyone for attending and acknowledging the many wonderful sponsors. In addition to title sponsor Tiffany & Co. Palm Beach Gardens, other generous sponsors include Buick and GMC, the Official Vehicle Sponsor of The EQUUS Foundation. Gold Medal sponsors include: Mr. & Mrs. Michael Carpenter, the Ann T. D’Addario Family Foundation, Equestrian Sport Productions, Britta Lippert and Caroline Moran. Silver Medal sponsors include: Jennifer Burger & Meredith Lipke, and Visse Wedell. Bronze Medal sponsors include: the Adikes-Hill Family Foundation, Patricia Adikes-Hill & Rosalind Schaefer, Bobbie & Derek Braun & Split Rock Farm, Jane Forbes Clark, Louisburg Farm, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Orthwein, Chris & Jessica Pasmore, Quiet Corner Farm, the Steeple Chase Farm Foundation, and Jenny Wren Sutton.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13230

Performer Line Up Finalized for Equestrian Idol on Friday, February 4, 2011 in Wellington

Jenna Wyatt (pictured) will perform with Taylor Blauweiss, Diana Bricker, Hillary Dobbs, Lou Galterio, Casey Hodges, Teaghan James, Jen White Kane, Brian Lookabill, Ki-Juan Minors, and Robert Orthwein at the 2011 Equestrian Idol Musical Cabaret on February 4 in Wellington. Photo courtesy of Jenna Wyatt.

WELLINGTON, FL – January 10, 2011 – Presented by Tiffany & Co. Palm Beach Gardens, the Equestrian Idol “All Stars” Musical Cabaret on Friday, February 4, 2011, promises the best in musical entertainment and cuisine for the equestrian and local residents in Wellington and Palm Beach County.

For this fifth year of the event, the past four Idol winners, Taylor Blauweiss, Ki-Juan Minors, Jen White Kane, and Brian Lookabill, will pair up with new performers in a musical cabaret, guaranteed to energize the audience even more than in the past years. Taylor Blauweiss, the first “Equestrian Idol,” will pair up with Hillary Dobbs; Ki-Juan Minors, winning in 2008, will pair up with Teaghan James and Robert Orthwein; 2009 winner Jen White Kane will pair up with Diana Bricker and Jenna Wyatt; and the reigning 2010 winner Brian Lookabill will pair up with Casey Hodges and Lou Galterio.

New this year, the performers represent the three disciplines competing at the highest levels of the equestrian sport in Wellington – dressage, polo and show jumping. The competition will be fierce for past performers, Dianna Bricker, Hillary Dobbs, and Casey Hodges, along with new performer, Teaghan James, representing the show jumping/hunter equestrian community. Jenna Wyatt is a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) bronze, silver and gold medalist, currently competing at the Grand Prix level. She is also a singer/songwriter, host of “Dressage under the Stars,” and regularly sings the national Anthem at major sporting events, including the Winter Equestrian Festival and the International Polo Club while wintering in Wellington.

Continue reading Performer Line Up Finalized for Equestrian Idol on Friday, February 4, 2011 in Wellington

Vote for Combined Driver Chester Weber as America’s Favorite Driving Equestrian

Chester Weber is in the running for America’s Favorite Equestrian. Vote now to have Weber win the Favorite Equestrian in the Driving discipline. Each vote donates $5 to The EQUUS Foundation. (Photo courtesy of Live Oak Combined Driving)

All Votes Support the EQUUS Foundation

Ocala, FL (December 22, 2010) – United States Combined Driver Chester Weber, a member of the winning Silver Medal 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Combined Driving team and the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Champion, needs your votes for America’s Favorite Equestrian. America’s Favorite Equestrian is an interactive fund raising effort presented jointly by partnership of The EQUUS Foundation and The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to raise funds to advance the equestrian sport on an annual basis.

“I am flattered to be chosen as one of the drivers for America’s Favorite Equestrian, but the thing I am most pleased about is that each vote gives a $5 donation to The EQUUS Foundation,” Weber said. “I truly believe in supporting The EQUUS Foundation and it is a great benefit that this contest will raise money for them. The votes really make a difference because 100% of all donations will be used to support charitable causes.”

Weber is one of eight talented athletes who have been named in the driving discipline category of America’s Favorite Equestrian. Eight athletes have also been selected in the disciplines of show jumping, dressage, eventing, reining, vaulting, endurance and para-equestrian. The athlete with the most votes in each discipline will be the winner of that discipline.

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