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October 30, 2019
 
What Do Therapy Horses, A Miniature Donkey, Vegan Boots and Donations of Riding Apparel Have in Common?

"Two Therapy Horses to Honor, A Donkey to Kiss, Lux Boots Made of Pineapple that Give Back to Horses, and a Trunk Filled to the Brim with Donated Apparel for Equestrians in Need ... That Was Our Week at the 2019 Washington International Horse Show!" said Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation VP.

The EQUUS Foundation has been a proud, long-time supporter of the Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) that brings the magic of horses into the heart of DC so all can experience horsepower. But this year, the EQUUS Foundation spread the love of horses in its own unique way by having a rescued miniature donkey in the Kissing Booth at Kid's Day to help inspire horse welfare and adoption.

EQUUS Foundation
Kelly Smith, Omega Horse Rescue Founder, Blossom, and Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation VP, at Kid's Day,
on Saturday October 26, 2019, at the Washington International Horse Show.

Blossom, a little, painted donkey with sight in only one eye due to a previous injury, is as sweet and docile as they come and was rescued in the nick of time by Kelly Smith of Omega Horse Rescue in Airville, Pennsylvania, an EQUUS Foundation Guardian, her husband Matt, and Blossom were on hand to encourage compassion for all horses. Blossom delighted all and gratefully accepted kisses and being brushed and petted gently by visitors of all ages.

EQUUS Foundation
Vicki Lowell, President, Washington International Horse Show, giving a kiss to Blossom, at Kid’s Day at the Washington International Horse Show

EQUUS Foundation
World-class show jumper & EQUUS Foundation EQUUStar, Brianne Goutal, taking a break from her busy competition schedule to get a kiss from Blossom

EQUUS Foundation
Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation VP, with Joseph Der, showing off her vegan paddock boots featuring the custom purple trim chosen by Valerie
Der Dau's Vegan Boot Line Benefits the EQUUS Foundation

The new, high-tech and stylish vegan paddock boots and tall boots by Der Dau to benefit the EQUUS Foundation were sparking interest and special orders at the Der Dau booth inside the Capital Arena where the Washington International Horse Show competition took place.

Der Dau's vegan boot line, made from non-animal leather (pineapple fiber and recycled rubber), made their debut at the Hampton Classic this summer. Gentle to animals and the environment, 20% of proceeds of every sale is donated to the EQUUS Foundation, thanks to the generosity of renown lux boot maker, Der Dau, based in Brooklyn, NY, USA.

Order yours now at 718.336.4513 or salesrep@derdau.com.

The EQUUS Foundation also presented the WIHS Honor & Service Award on Friday evening to two horses who give back every day to improve the well-being of people - Happy, a 22-year old leopard Appaloosa from the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program NVTRP) in Clifton, Virginia, and Reeses, a 27-year old Thoroughbred from the Project Horse Empowerment Center in Purcellville, Virginia -- see companion story here.

EQUUS Foundation
L to R: Victoria Lowell, Lynn Coakley, Happy, Clarice Gutman, Maria Kimble with photo of Reeses,
Darcy Woessner, Beth McGahuey, Kelsey Gallagher, Louise Foreman, Rita Norton,
Gail Bolen and John E. Franzreb III
Photo courtesy of Shawn McMillen Photography

The Rider's Closet - Making Horseback Riding Accessible
The Der Dau booth was host for the week for The Rider's Closet Donation Trunk, which was on site to accept donations of gently used and new riding apparel.

The Rider's Closet provides the donated riding apparel to equestrians of all ages and at every level of horsemanship who need the clothing to pursue their horsemanship dreams -- as well as equine charities, scholastic riding programs, pony clubs and equestrian camp programs.

By the end of the week, the EQUUS Foundation collected several trunks full of britches, shirts, riding jackets and boots.

Founded by EQUUS Foundation EQUUStar, Georgina Bloomberg, in 2006, the Rider's Closet merged with the EQUUS Foundation earlier this year.
EQUUS Foundation
Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation VP, and Joseph Der, with The Rider's Closet Donation Trunk at the Der Dau booth at the Washington International Horse Show.



ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America's horses and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.

ABOUT WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW: Established in 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is one of North America's most prestigious and entertaining equestrian events, attracting more than 26,000 spectators annually to Washington, D.C., for Olympic-level competition plus community and charity events. More than 500 top horses and riders arrive from all over the globe to jump for more than a half a million dollars in prize money. Highlights include the $136,300 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington presented by Events DC for the President's Cup, the $25,000 Land Rover Puissance (high jump) and Kids' Day, a free, fun and educational community event. WIHS, an official USEF Heritage Competition, is rated CSI4*-W by the Fédération Equestre Internationale, the world governing body for horse sports. The Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization based in Washington, D.C. Visit www.wihs.org.