Category Archives: Fundraisers

Community/Charity, Equestrian Assistance, Fundraisers

Support a New Home for Concrete Cowboys through Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy

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Philadelphia, Pa. – April 21, 2021 – Netflix’s newest film Concrete Cowboy, starring Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin, has showcased a part of Philadelphia that few people knew existed. It tells the story of the Black urban cowboys in the city, and in 2019 the producers and directors of the film partnered with the late Eric Miller, and the riders of Fletcher Street to form the Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy (PURA). Created to preserve the life, legacy, and culture of Black urban cowboys in the city of Philadelphia, PURA recently launched “Fresh Start for Philly Youth” fundraising campaign through GoFundMe. The campaign’s goal is to raise money for its new facility in the Cobbs Creek section of Philadelphia that will provide a unique, safe space for children, teens, and adults to experience horses up close and personal.

Due to gentrification, many of the stables that once made up the community of black cowboys in Philadelphia are gone. With the help of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott-Lovell and Councilman Curtis Jones, The Philadelphia Urban Riding Academy has found a new, permanent home in Cobbs Creek Park that will not only give the Urban Black Cowboy a permanent home but also offer new opportunities to everyone in the community. By supporting the “Fresh Start for Philly Youth” fundraising campaign you can be a part of the next generation of the Concrete Cowboys and Cowgirls.

PURA’s executive director Erin Brown, known as the Concrete Cowgirl, joined forces with North Run’s Missy Clark in June of 2020 to create Concrete to Show Jumping. With a mission to open doors to diversified worlds within the horse industry, Concrete to Show Jumping aims to open the eyes, minds, and hearts of equestrians by participating in new experiences, forming new alliances and building friendships with equestrians from diversified backgrounds.

The “Fresh Start for Philly Youth” fundraiser has the goal of raising $2,000,000 for PURA’s new permanent facility. This home will provide stabling for 20-25 horses, paddocks, and a covered arena, as well as recreational space for other youth and veteran programs. With the help of the entire equestrian community, PURA and Concrete to Show Jumping believe that this goal is attainable. Every dollar raised will be put towards the facility and the horses and students that will call it home.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, PURA is now collecting donations for the “Fresh Start for Philly Youth” initiative. All donations are tax-deductible and corporate sponsors are encouraged to donate, with naming rights to the rings, paddocks, stalls, and lounge are available. PURA has joined forces with Spak Group, a real estate Development Company, along with Architects from OZ Collaborative and a Landscape Civil Engineer, Ruggiero Plante, LLC, to create a forever home for youth, the community, and the Urban Black Cowboy.

For more information, please visit thepura.org or donate here to be a part of PURA’s mission to preserve the life, legacy, and culture of Black urban cowboys in the city of Philadelphia.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Community/Charity, Competitions, Fundraisers, Horse Care/Protection, Polo

Brooke USA Raises over $210k during Signature Event

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Timmy Dutta – GJ Racing © Rachel-Elizabeth.com/Rachel Spencer.

(Wellington, Fla.) March 30, 2021 – Brooke USA’s Sunset Polo® & White Party | Special Edition: Latin America, presented by Lugano Diamonds, proved to be an astounding affair, receiving rave reviews from the Wellington, Palm Beach, and Miami social scenes. Held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach with an exclusive guest list of only 350, the event provided an entertaining evening highlighted by its exciting signature Sunset Polo, gourmet Latin cuisine curated by Celebrity Chef Ingrid Hoffmann, and a live band, the Miami-based Tartara. The event raised more than $210,000 for Brooke USA, whose mission is to alleviate the suffering of working equines in some of the poorest parts of the world.

“We are thrilled with the results of our event, not only financially, but also because it allowed us to further our mission. We made new friends and supporters and educated those present about the plight of working equines and the families who own them,” Chair of the Brooke USA Board of Directors Katherine Kaneb remarked. “It is important to understand that these animals are the engines that fuel the developing world and if they are healthy and cared for, families will benefit from better living and working conditions.”

Brooke USA strives to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys, and mules and the people they serve throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and the Caribbean by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need. The 2021 special edition event focused on the Americas, with program funding benefiting Nicaraguan fodder plots, COVID-19 response and recovery, advocacy to end the donkey hide crisis in the United States, and its newest project, scoping and research of Native American Reservations attitudes towards working equines.

“As Brooke USA grows, so do our investments in this hemisphere. We were thrilled to offer a means of support that focused on our work in the United States and Central America,” stated Emily Dulin, Brooke USA CEO.

The evening began with a thrilling sunset polo match, where three teams played in a six-chukker round-robin polo tournament consisting of three two-chukker games.

The tournament kicked off with Team Celebrity Cruises, made up of Mikey Matz, Whitney Ross, Marcos Bignoli, Tareq Salahi, and John Gobin challenging Team GJ Racing, the 2019 defending champions. Riding in orange for GJ Racing were Ignacio Cabrera, Timmy Dutta, Jake Schaufeld, and Jessie Graham. Salahi scored one goal in the opening chukker to secure the lead, and his alternate, Whitney Ross, made the second goal in the second chukker to take the first win with a 2-0 finish.

With one win under their belts, Celebrity Cruises then faced off against Team Invicta Farm, consisting of Annalise Phillips, Alyssa Braswell, Michel Dorignac, and Milo Dorignac. Salahi scored the first two goals of the second game, while Invicta scored one goal by Dorignac. Celebrity ultimately snatched the win with a 3-1 victory when Mikey Matz scored the final goal to take the win.

In the decisive last two chukkers, Team Invicta challenged Team GJ Racing in a match that went down to the wire as Invicta took the early lead with both Braswell and Dorignac scoring in the fifth chukker. Dutta tied up the game in the final chukker for GJ Racing with two back-to-back goals; however, Milo Dorignac pulled Invicta ahead with the final goal scored, securing the win with a 3-2 finish.

In the end, Team Celebrity Cruises was declared the winner with a final cumulative score of five. Team Invicta finished in second place with a score of four, while Team GJ Racing took third place with a final score of two.

For more information or to donate, please visit www.brookeusa.org.

Art/Photography, Community/Charity, Fundraisers, Horse Care/Protection

Encore and Knight — a Timeless Love Story

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“Wild Heart Song” by Deb Lee Carson.

Love is in the air! Everyone enjoys a great love story and when it comes to wild horse couples, Encore and Knight’s story is unbeatable.

Wild horse photographer Deb Lee Carson has immortalized this iconic pair – Cloud’s lookalike daughter Encore and her roan stallion, Knight. As a couple, they’ve been inseparable since 2015, living wild in the Pryor Mountains of Montana.

Thanks to Deb’s amazing generosity, The Cloud Foundation brings you a chance to win this one-of-a-kind, matted, and framed piece of photographic art. It could be yours for just the price of a single raffle ticket… only $25! All proceeds go directly to TCF’s work keeping wild horses WILD.

Click here for ALL the details:

  • Deb’s story “behind the scenes”
  • Encore and Knight’s touching love story
  • How to buy your raffle tickets, and more!

We’re drawing the winning ticket from this Valentine’s Week Fundraiser on February 22nd. Don’t miss your chance to own a truly unique photo with its own wild love story!

The Cloud Foundation
www.thecloudfoundation.org

Auctions, Awards, EQUUS Foundation, Fundraisers, Horse Care/Protection

Robb Report’s Horsepower Gala to Honor Champions of Equine Protection

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Honoring Kevin Babington, Mayisha Akbar, Nacho Figueras, Peder Fredricson, Margie Goldstein Engle, Danny Robertshaw, and Ron Danta in a Virtual Award Show

Robb Report, the leading voice in global luxury, is hosting its second annual Horsepower Gala. Frank and Monica McCourt will co-host the virtual celebration on Thursday, February 18, along with Robb Report‘s editor in chief, Paul Croughton. The virtual attendees will participate in a live auction and award show featuring a special musical performance by Grammy Award-winning recording artist Gloria Gaynor. Auction proceeds will benefit the EQUUS Foundation, America’s foremost equine-welfare organization. The Horsepower Gala raises funds for, and increases awareness of, the issues of horse abuse, neglect, and slaughter.

“Robb Report established the Horsepower Gala in 2019 to benefit the EQUUS Foundation, and we are delighted to continue that partnership in 2021. Despite the challenges of the last year, I’m looking forward to our new virtual format to highlight exceptional and inspiring figures within the equestrian community,” said Croughton.

For information about the 2021 event, or to attend, visit RR1.COM/HORSEPOWER-GALA. Press Contact: Brooke Jaffe at Bjaffe@pmc.com.

To learn more about the EQUUS Foundation and their mission, please visit www.equusfoundation.org.

Community/Charity, Equine Assisted Therapy, Fundraisers

Three Horseshoes Ranch to Offer Equine-Assisted Therapy Program in South Florida

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When my sister was only seven years old, doctors gave her a life-changing diagnosis: her pancreas stopped working. Years later, additional problems with her health emerged — some worse than others. When my sister was in her early twenties, doctors diagnosed her with epilepsy. Seemingly overnight, an invisible hand turned her world upside down. My sister watched in dismay as her independence evaporated. She could no longer drive. Completing her coursework became impossible, so she had to withdraw from school for a while. Epilepsy weakened her body so badly that — at first — she couldn’t even manage the short walk to the bathroom unassisted; she’d collapse before making it halfway. The limitations that my sister’s body placed on her drove her into a depression. She mourned the loss of her former life. Nothing anyone said seemed to lessen her pain.

Then one day, my parents and I gifted her a Siberian Husky puppy — Leia. (Fun fact: we actually found Leia on Craigslist the morning of my sister’s birthday; the listing had been posted merely hours earlier.) When we brought Leia home, she was as small as a chihuahua, yet she came into my sister’s life with the force of a category five hurricane. The whole family noticed an instant change in my sister. She spent less time isolating herself and more time with the family. She talked more. She smiled more. After a while, she confided in us that Leia took up so much of her time that she didn’t have as many opportunities to entertain the somber thoughts that used to fill her mind. Leia slowly pieced my sister’s heart back together. In that special way that only animals are capable of, Leia offered my sister an escape from her troubles — the perfect distraction.

Observing the effect that Leia’s mere presence had on my sister’s wellbeing inspired the idea for Three Horseshoes Ranch. I began to think that it would be wonderful if children dealing with chronic illnesses had someone like Leia in their life — someone that could make them forget about their troubles, even if only for a little while. Three Horseshoes Ranch will offer such an escape. It will give ill children the opportunity to interact with ponies and ride horses. Children of all ages and riding ability will be welcome to visit the ranch as often as they’d like, and the ranch will have on-site instructors to provide lessons.

Because the expenses of having a child with health issues are often exorbitant and money is thus often tight, all of this will be offered completely free of charge. The ranch will fund the program through other services offered to the public — such as boarding. To make Three Horseshoes Ranch a reality, we need your help. We need funds to acquire land (we are currently looking in south Florida), find the perfect horses and ponies for the program, and build the necessary facilities (such as riding arenas, restrooms, shelters for the horses and ponies, etc.). The costs of getting a project like this off the ground are so high that — without donations — it could take years before Three Horseshoes Ranch opens. You can change that. Every donation gets us closer to our goal. And your donation will make a difference in the life of not just one child but in the lives of scores of children. Please consider making a donation today and sharing this fundraiser with others; the more people that you share this fundraiser with, the more likely we are to reach our goal. Thank you so much for your time and support!

Community/Charity, Equestrian Assistance, Fundraisers, Olympic Games

US Equestrian & USET Foundation Join Giving Games Fundraising Effort Aimed to Support US Athletes

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Lexington, KY – US Equestrian and the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation have announced their joint participation in a collaborative and creative fundraising campaign launched by Olympic & Paralympic National Governing Bodies (NGB) titled the Giving Games. The Giving Games’ ultimate goal is to support and sustain U.S. athletes ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games, which have been postponed to the summer of 2021.

U.S. athletes rely heavily on their NGB organizations to financially assist with training and preparation needs, and many athletes are facing financial hardships and challenging obstacles due to the significant number of domestic and international competition cancellations so far this year. Joining 20 other NGBs within the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic movement, US Equestrian and USET Foundation will partake in the multi-week fundraiser beginning Friday, July 24, and running through August 9, 2020, the original window of this summer’s now postponed Games.

The philanthropic effort is multi-faceted with varying donation opportunities, including pooled funds and direct giving opportunities to the USET Foundation. All funds raised will be received via direct donation or equally divided among participating organizations in order to support their athletes’ needs as they prepare for an additional year of training as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic postponement.

Fans and supporters of U.S. equestrian high performance athletes, US Equestrian, and USET Foundation can contribute to the Giving Games in the following ways beginning Friday, July 24:

  • Donate directly to the USET Foundation to help support our equestrian athletes. Every dollar raised up to $50,000 will be matched by a generous supporter of the Foundation, doubling the amount that our equestrians will receive in their quest for the podium in 2021. In addition, donors will have a chance to be entered into the “Medal of Giving” awards, recognizing the top three cumulative donors based on donations received by August 9, 2020.
  • Donate to the Giving Games pooled funds by participating in Giving Game promotions and events which will be launched throughout the promotion period and divided equally amongst participating NGBs.
  • Text ‘GIVINGGAMES’ to 243725.

The Giving Games effort has partnered with notable brands, corporations, and businesses including BuzzFeed and Omaze to create unique and exciting ways for fans and supporters to continue contributing to the Giving Games effort, which will be announced in the coming week.

To learn more about the Giving Games, please visit giving-games.com.

Learn more at www.uset.org.

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jennifer@jumpmediallc.com

Fundraisers, Phelps Media Group

Kim Haymond Wins Custom Breyer Horse Model in USET Foundation’s PonyUp! Fundraising Contest

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Gladstone, N.J. – June 16, 2017 – Kim Haymond of Prairie Village, Kansas has won the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s recent PonyUp! fundraising contest in which participants created teams to help raise funds to support our U.S. equestrian teams. In addition, Breyer® also joined the contest and agreed to create a custom-painted Breyer® model on the mold of the winner’s choice. The horse selected could be the winner’s own horse or simply the horse of their dreams! Breyer® creates only one or two custom models each year and the winning prize was valued at $2,500.

Haymond is an avid Breyer® collector and is well-known throughout the model horse hobby as the creator of exquisite, realistic and scaled environments in which to display model horses. Haymond often works with her mother, Kathi, the co-owner of Tabletop Studios, on projects. Recently, the pair created a set of bases for dioramas on display in the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop. They are well-known teachers and often give workshops for Breyer® at BreyerFest and other events. As the winner of the USET Foundation’s PonyUp! fundraising contest, Haymond will be the recipient of a custom-designed Breyer® model of her choice as well as a framed Rio Olympic poster signed by the entire 2016 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic equestrian teams.

“I loved the idea of supporting our U.S. equestrian teams and winning such a coveted prize. Breyer® rarely makes custom models and I intend to use this opportunity to create my dream horse,” said Haymond.

Haymond was in a head-to-head race for first place with 17-year-old Carly Kudalis of Pelham, New Hampshire. The high school junior, who competes with her 6-year-old American Saddlebred gelding in saddle seat, hunt seat and dressage, engaged in a wide variety of activities to achieve her fundraising goal including creating and selling custom, hand-painted models on eBay, raffling off a pair of highly sought-after New England Patriots tickets and hosting a plant sale. The race to the finish was intense and in the end, Haymond won by less than $200.

“I decided to participate in the PonyUp! contest because I am first and foremost absolutely in love with horses,” said Kudalis. “It was an amazing experience. I love working with Breyer® and everything they do. I also 100 percent support the USET Foundation. The contest was awesome. It was an intense three weeks but it turned out pretty well. I am happy with how it went!”

“We were so impressed by the tremendous effort that Carly made that we have decided to present her with a runner-up prize,” said Stephanie Macejko, Breyer®’s vice president of marketing. “She showed such dedication and ingenuity in her efforts to raise funds that we just had to do something special for her.”

Overall, the PonyUp! contest was a huge success and fulfilled its mission of creating awareness of the need to support the USET Foundation, which relies primarily on donations to fund our high performance horses and athletes representing Team USA at the highest levels of competition around the word. Young athletes are the future of the sport and the funds raised in the PonyUp! contest will help introduce and develop the next generation of high performance equestrian athletes.

The USET Foundation will be hosting Breyer®, the maker of the world’s finest model horses, for another exciting Pony Up! Festival at their headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, Saturday, June 17. This fun, hands-on and family-oriented festival will feature some of the real local horses that inspired the Breyer® models.

For more information on the USET Foundation, visit www.uset.org.

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

Auctions, Community/Charity, Fundraisers, Racing

Old Friends “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby” Unveils “The Danthebluegrassman”

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Jockey Chris and his wife Shelby Landeros. Photo © Equisport Photography.

The 8th Annual Maggie Mae Designs® Old Friends-sponsored online fashion auction, “Hats Off to the Horses: The Road to the Derby”, has opened bidding on the final hat in the 2017 series.

The Derby-style chapeau currently up for bid honors one-time Derby contender Danthebluegrassman.

Bidding in this online auction will be available through April 11, 2017, 8:00 pm (EST). To bid, CLICK HERE.

This unique fundraiser features one-of-a-kind couture hats created by Maggie Mae Designs®, the sale of which benefits Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility based in Georgetown, KY.

To date, this annual online fashion auction has raised over $30,000 for Old Friends.

Kentucky-bred Danthebluegrassman captured the 2001 Gold Rush Stakes as a two-year-old and then the 2002 Golden Gate Derby, which made him a top contender for the 2002 Kentucky Derby. But injury kept him from starting on the First Saturday in May in the race that was won by his stablemate, War Emblem. Dan continued to race, but by 2008 had fallen down the claiming ranks. Thanks to several fans and supporters, the chestnut son of Pioneering was claimed and retired to Old Friends.

The custom-crafted chapeau honoring this athlete makes use of owner Mike Pegram’s bright racing silks of bold red and yellow. The hat features a champagne silk foundation highlighted by wispy layers of bright tulle. The centerpiece is a large red rose placed along the crown. The flower is framed with a medley of yellow organza leaves, each of which is delicately top stitched in red for added detailing.

As with all of the Maggie Mae Designs®, the “Danthebluegrassman” hat is stunning from every angle with no detail left untouched.

Special thanks to our models Krystal and Jon Court and their daughter, Aubrey, and Shelby and Chris Landeros. Thanks also to Lexington-based boutique Bella Rose for furnishing Krystal and Shelby’s lovely dresses!

To see more photos and read more about the hat’s design, CLICK HERE.

Old Friends, Inc. 1841 Paynes Depot Rd., Georgetown, KY 40324
502-863-1775 www.oldfriendsequine.org   michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Old Friends at Cabin Creek   483 Sandhill Rd., Greenfield Center, NY 12833
518-698-2377   www.oldfriendsatcabincreek.com   cabincreek4@hotmail.com

Fundraisers, Horse Care/Protection

Landmark Evening at USEA American Eventing Championships Raises $5,000 for Brooke USA

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Starsky collecting donations for Brooke USA. Photo Credit ©Meg Banks/TIEC.

Mill Spring, NC – September 30, 2016 – Thousands of exhibitors, owners and spectators joined together at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) on Saturday, September 3, to not only celebrate the 2016 Nutrena® United States Eventing Association USEA American Eventing Championships (AEC) presented by Land Rover, but to also support Brooke USA through the “Celebrity Bartender Showdown” and silent auction. The event took place during the “Sounds of Nashville” Concert presented by Coca Cola®, raising $5,000 for Brooke USA’s “Buy a Donkey a Drink” campaign.

As everyone prepared for the concert, the festivities kicked off at “The Brooke Watering Hole” located at the TIEC’s onsite restaurant patio, Roger’s Diner. Brooke USA Ambassadors and Team USA Eventing members Boyd Martin and Lauren Kieffer were joined by Bobby Costello, Allison Springer, and Lynn Symansky, as well as Brooke USA Board Member Jim Wolf, as the celebrity bartenders throughout the evening.

They concocted cocktails and raised awareness for the “Buy a Donkey a Drink” campaign, which ensures lifetime access to water for 81,000 livestock animals, including 13,500 equines in drought-prone areas of Ethiopia through the construction of five large, permanent water troughs. The project is expected to lower the equine mortality rate in that area by 45 percent, and benefit 67,500 of the world’s poorest people who depend on those animals.

“Our team was incredibly motivated to host an event that would generate awareness for Brooke USA and the ‘Buy a Donkey a Drink’ campaign in an engaging and energetic atmosphere,” said Katherine Bellissimo, Brooke USA Board Member and Principal of Tryon Equestrian Partners. “We’re thrilled with the success of this event and are looking forward to continuing our efforts to maximize exposure for Brooke USA and the mission of the organization at TIEC.”

Guests had the choice to sip on a signature orange sangria, Moscow mule, or orangeade while listening to the sounds of “Raised by the Radio” star Mitch Rossell, who has opened for the legendary Garth Brooks, and country music singer Julia Cole, who has opened for country music sensation Hunter Hayes. Each drink and all tips raised throughout the night benefited Brooke USA, as well as a silent auction.

Starsky, a dwarf miniature pony rescued by The Peeps Foundation and now owned by the Bellissimo family, paraded around “The Brooke Watering Hole” donning a special Brooke USA cooler outfitted with donation pockets. Starsky interacted with guests and served as an ambassador for organization, welcoming attention and contributions.

Brooke USA is now only $9,500 away from raising enough money to construct the fifth and final water trough of the campaign, with the help of the funds raised during the event. For every $9 raised, one working equine will have lifetime access to a water supply, and the campaign will continue to run through the entire 2016 Tryon Fall Series.

“We are so fortunate to have the help and support of the Tryon International Equestrian Center, as well as Mark and Katherine Bellissimo and Jim Wolf,” Executive Director of Brooke USA Emily Dulin said. “The evening was filled with fun, laughter and of course, a greater mission-raising awareness for the 13,500 working equines that will benefit from the ‘Buy a Donkey a Drink’ Campaign.”

Each water trough allows as many as 340 horses, donkeys and mules to quench their thirst with each filling, and will allow other livestock such as cattle and camels to receive life-saving water as well.

For more information about Tryon International Equestrian Center, please call (828) 863-1000 or visit www.tryon.com.

To donate to this lifesaving campaign, go to www.BuyaDonkeyaDrink.org or email Info@BrookeUSA.org. For more information on Brooke USA, go to www.BrookeUSA.org.

About Brooke USA
Brooke USA is a 501(c)(3) charity located at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, which exists solely to support the overseas work of the Brooke, the world’s largest international equine welfare charity.  For more than 80 years, the Brooke has been alleviating the suffering of horses, donkeys, and mules who work in some of the poorest communities on earth. The Brooke’s scientifically proven, practical, and sustainable solutions to enormous welfare challenges improve the lives of equine animals and the people who depend on them across Africa, Asia, and Central America.  Last year alone, the Brooke reached 1.8 million equines, benefiting 10 million people in the developing world. To learn more, visit www.BrookeUSA.org.

Community/Charity, Fundraisers

David Oliver Willis Wowed Judges & Audience Members Alike at AEGT Season Finale

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AEGT Finale Winner, David Oliver Willis.

Wellington, Fla. – March 31, 2015 – After nine weeks of intense competition, the top 12 finalists battled it out on the stage last Sunday night at the 2016 American Equestrians Got Talent Finale, a fundraiser to support the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. Ultimately, it was gifted musician David Oliver Willis who took home the title of America’s Most Talented Equestrian and a $10,000 grand prize courtesy of Robert Ross PA of Keller Williams Luxury Real Estate.

Representing the sport of Dressage, David Oliver Willis made his first impression on the Wellington audience during the fourth week of auditions held at the White Horse Fashion Cuisine, where he blew spectators away with his original song and rendition of Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come,’ securing his spot in the finale.

Originally from Mount Dora, Florida, Willis shared his path to the stage, beginning as a child. “I’ve been singing since I was a little kid in church, where my mom was a minister for years and my dad was a deacon. Sometime after high school I started taking it more seriously and playing some acoustic gigs,” he commented.

As a three-time American Idol participant, Willis admitted this wasn’t his first time in the limelight. “I made it to the top 20 guys category on season 12,” he said.

Following his big win at the finale among 12 fierce talents, Willis divulged, “I decided to stay true to what I felt, what music I like the most, and who I am as an artist – I think that helped me win this competition in particular. The exposure here at AEGT is great and I’ve met so many incredible people. After this I am going to go in the studio and get my full album completed!”

In addition to his cash prize, AEGT Judge and USET supporter, Mark Bellissimo, offered Willis the opportunity to perform at his Central Park horse show in September. Last year, this same offer garnered 2015 second place finalist, Ki-Juan Minors, a record label deal with P. Diddy.

The American Equestrians Got Talent 2016 season raised close to $200,000 for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. The donation from Juan Gando of the White Horse Fashion Cuisine totaled $31,100 from the weekly auditions. The silent auction that featured the Roadtrips trip to the Rio Olympics, as well as other impressive items, also raised vital funds to support high performance programs. Without the generosity of the sponsors, judges, donors, auction buyers, volunteers, and guests, the event would not have been such a resounding success. Thank you to Robert Dover for his support and dedication to American Equestrians Got Talent!

“What an amazing night of American Equestrians Got Talent finale!” Dover said. “I truly appreciate all our sponsors, donors, judges, contestants and volunteers, and my husband, Robert Ross, more than you can know! Thank you to Annie Cizadlo and everyone at the USET, USEF and Phelps Media Group for making the entire AEGT season a success again this year. Thank you Wellington for coming out and supporting AEGT 2016 and our high performance athletes and their programs. Go Team USA!”

13-year-old vocalist Kayden Mueller-Janssen of Wellington, Florida took home second place at Sunday night’s finale winning $7,500 sponsored by Kasey Perry and Family. Regarding her whirlwind experience, she shared, “I am so happy. My dad came all the way from Europe to see me perform. He will also be coming with me to LA to support my acting and singing. Even if I didn’t win, I am still proud of myself because it is such an experience. I love singing, and to be honest I wouldn’t know what to do without it.”

2016 third place finisher and second time AEGT finale performer, Robert Gallardo, wowed the judges with his seemingly gravity-defying dance moves. The talented dancer won $5,000 sponsored by Pat Stemple and Roundabout Stables LLC. Gallardo was pleased with his third place finish and looks forward to returning to the stage next year to showcase his self-taught talents.

Rounding out the top four was groom and vocalist, Teaghan James. She received $2,500. James was encouraged to compete by recording artist, Ki-Juan Minors, with whom she performs with regularly.

Minors returned to the AEGT stage prior to Sunday’s finale as an opener, and announced his album will be hopefully be available later this year.

Other openers included the Charlie Tota Band, AEGT 2015 Winner Brian Lookabill, and Felippe Biatti, an American Idol competitor and opener for One Direction.

The atmosphere of the night was electric. The culmination of an impressive list of unique auction items, delicious food provided by White Horse Catering seven esteemed guest judges and a beautiful venue, made this event a smash hit.

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.