EQUUS News Release

Free Admission for EQUUS Foundation Fete Cheval Games on Friday Night, March 9th at WEF.

Wellington, FL – March 8, 2012 - The Fete Cheval presented by Spy Coast Farm to benefit the EQUUS Foundation will be held tomorrow night, Friday, March 9th, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. Tickets for the auction, cocktail reception and dinner in the International Club are sold out, but the entertainment in the International Arena starting at 8:00 p.m. is free including free parking. Spectators are welcome.

The Fete Cheval is fun for all – especially the riders who compete in games on horseback like musical stalls, egg on a spoon, and sit a buck with the same natural ferocity and inner drive that they display as equestrian athletes every day. The riders mix lightheartedness and levity with the same natural ferocity and inner drive that they display as equestrian athletes every day – the combination of which provides great entertainment for the audience.

The games will be judged by Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward who has competed in the Fete Cheval since 2005, and officiated by David Distler. "We are deeply grateful to Heidi and Steve Lengyel and Wall Street Farm for providing the horses for the event, and to Wendy Coren and Dave Lundquist of Equalign for coordinating the riders and the games," said Elizabeth Press, who is co-chairing the event with Patricia Keenan.

It won't be just the riders having all the fun! The two or more lucky riders who win the Rider Raffle will have the opportunity of a lifetime to ride with the professionals. The Rider Raffle Drawing will be held at 8:00 pm. The Games will start at 8:15 pm. Click Here to Buy Your Rider Raffle Tickets.

Come root on your favorite rider representing Dressage, Eventing, Hunter, Jumper and Polo: Max Amaya, Derek Braun, Saer Coulter, Nick Dello Joio, Hillary Dobbs, Jimmy Fairclough, Brianne Goutal, Weston Gracida, Patricia Griffith, Ashley Holzer, Charlie Jayne, Kris Kampsen, Laura Kraut, Marcia Kulak, Alexa Pessoa, Rodrigo Pessoa, Brandon Phillips, Kim Prince, Havens Schatt, Louise Serio, Jessica Springsteen, Shane Sweetnam, and Jimmy Torano.

Fete Cheval
Click Here to Buy Raffle Tickets.

Fete Cheval Fast Facts:

What: Fete Cheval – An Evening of Feasting & Equestrian Revelry – to benefit The EQUUS Foundation

When: Friday, March 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. for cocktails and dinner in the International Club; Opening Ceremonies and Equestrian Games on Horseback at 8:00 p.m. in the International Arena

Where: Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, 14440 Pierson Road, Wellington, Florida 33414.

The EQUUS Foundation is a national charitable foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, fostering the use of horses to enrich the lives of people in need and educating the public about the horse’s unique ability to empower, teach and heal. Our goal is to transform the way horses are treated and perceived and build a more compassionate America that values the magical and powerful bond we have with horses.

The Foundation has awarded nearly $2 million in grants to equine charities across America, provides academic and equestrian scholarships to reward volunteerism, and has achieved national recognition as the primary organization in the equine world solely focused on both horse welfare and fostering the horse-human connection in the therapeutic, recreational, and sport communities.

Thanks to the generosity of its donors, The EQUUS Foundation helps thousands of people and horses each year. 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: equus@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.

None of the achievements made by The EQUUS Foundation would be possible without the generous support of the individual donors and sponsors who participate at our signature events.

In addition to Title Sponsor Spy Coast Farm and Official EQUUS Foundation Sponsor Nestle Waters North America, Gold Medal Sponsors include Mike & Mary Carpenter, Jane Forbes Clark, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Crown, The D'Addario Family, Equestrian Sport Productions, The Gochman Family, Louisburg Farm, Mr. & Mrs. John A. Morgan, Elizabeth & Clifford Press, PJ & Suhail Rizvi, Clea & Kurt Soderlund, Split Rock Farm, and Visse Wedell.

Silver Medal Sponsors include The Adikes Family Foundation, Jenny Belknap Kees & Tim Kees, Flavia Callari, Equifit, inc., Goshen Hill, Celene & Marc Oken, Juliet & Sam Reid, and Jenny Sutton.

Bronze Medal Sponsors include Beth Congel, Doug Ulrich & Sheila & Eric Goetzmann, Fairfield Equine Associates, Gregory W. Gingery, Elizabeth Monaco & Neil M. McCarthy, Margaret O'Neill, Mr. & Mrs. Chris Paradysz, Quiet Corner Farm, Katie & Jim Robinson, Patti Springsteen, Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Strauss and Andrew & Carlene Ziegler.

Live and Silent Auction Donors include Alessandro Albanese, Alice B. Tookus Baking Company, Peter Aguirrebena, Badgley Mischa, Beval Saddlery Ltd., Bradford Renaissance Portraits, Browbands with Bling, The Barnloft, Robin Bruekman, Ramon Carullo, Companion Dogs Ltd., Violeta Cromer, Licensed Massage Therapist, College Preparatory Invitational Horse Show, Dever, Inc., The Dressage Connection, Elite Island Resort, Equalign, Equifit, inc., Equine Artistry by Barbara, Equine Equilibrium Therapeutics & April Johnston, Gray Fadden, Hampton Classic Horse Show, Charles K. Herman, M.D., F.A.C.S., P.L.L.C, Hunt Ltd., Irving Park Art & Frame, Kris Kampsen & Brandon Phillips, Anne Kursinski, Madison Green Golf Club, Metropolitan Galleries, Karen Owens, Parlanti, Performance Saddlery Inc., PRP Wine International & Tim Walker, Purgason's, Lisa Remeny TropicArts, Robin Roberts, Eileen Seitz Fine Art, Inc., ShowChic, Skiffingtons, Tackeria, Turner & Co., Viking Yachts, Video Guys, McLain Ward, and the Washington International Horse Show.