EQUUS Foundation

EQUUS Foundation "CHAMPION" Volunteers and Ariat International Deserve a Big ROAR!

WESTPORT, CT - October 18, 2013 - Five EQUUS Foundation "Champions" were randomly selected to receive $250 gift certificates for Ariat boots for their volunteer service in the third quarter of 2013 as part of the EQUUS Foundation "CHAMPIONS" program sponsored by Ariat International.


Ellen Pennine

Ellen Pennine

A typical day for Flash, the therapy horse donated by Ellen Pennine to Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center.

In 1995, Ellen Pennine brought her nine year old son to Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center in Lexington, Virginia, in the hopes that therapeutic horseback riding would help him avoid surgery on his hips.

"Once I became aware of all the benefits that he, and all the riders, received from being a part of Hoofbeats, I became very involved myself as a volunteer and even began to ride a little bit myself", said Pennine.

There are happy endings! Pennine's son not only avoided surgery - he is now thriving as an adult professional with a life of his own. Pennine not only continues to volunteer - she serves as a Board member and donated her horse, Flash to help others with special needs. Flash has been in the program for 17 years and was recently honored as the Horse of the Year by the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia.


Jenny Hyde
Jenny Hyde with Bear

Jenny Hyde

"I was always the kid who put a pony on her Christmas list. The result of that was a pretty cool collection of horses to display but none to ride - that is until I attended my first volunteer orientation session at Special Equestrians in Warrington, Pennsylvania," said Jenny Hyde. "It was a dream come true!"

Ever since that day in October 2007, Jenny has been hooked - volunteering one or two days a week, 2-6 hours a week from the end of August through the middle of June each year. Her duties include feeding, grooming, tacking up and turning out the horses, cleaning stalls, sweeping the barn, and serving as a leader and side aide during student lessons.

Out of all of our responsibilities at the barn, "grooming the horses is my favorite because it allows me the opportunity to spend quality time with each horse, connecting with each one in a "personal" way. Volunteering on a regular basis allows us to become well-acquainted with the students and their parents and to see the incredible progress the students make during lessons."


Carl Rigg

Carl Rigg
Carl & Michelle

Carl Rigg is a volunteer with Dream Catcher Stables in Spring, Texas.

Carl and his wife Gail live in nearby Kingwood where he managed the Houston Division of W R Zanes & Co of Louisiana before recently retiring after 20 years from this second career. Before that, he served in the U.S. Army and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel with over 24 years of logistics service, including a tour in Vietnam.

"Carl helps us care and feed the horses and participates in every aspect of our therapeutic riding program which we provide free of charge to disabled and handicapped children and adults," said Sanna Roling, Dream Catchers Founder.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to volunteer at Dream Catcher Stables. The rewards from working with the horses and assisting in enabling the athletes to achieve their personal goals far outweigh my investment of time," said Rigg, an avid horseback rider himself.


Laura Melton
Laura Melton and Frankie

Laura Melton

Laura Melton started volunteering at the Therapeutic Riding Center of Huntington Beach in California at 16 years old. Now 17, she works for Rick Baer Training Stables, located at the same facility and volunteers whenever she can.

"I have loved horses my whole life and have fond memories of my aunt taking me to the Huntington Beach Equestrian Center when I was small. I had only taken two riding lessons when I started volunteering - once when I was eight and another for my sixteenth birthday present," said Melton.

"I love working with the children and seeing them react to the horses. I think it is so amazing how they can connect with each other. Every student and volunteer has inspired me to continue with my love for horses and working with children."


Bonnie S. Wells
"When I go home to my husband, Bill, and our rescue dogs, Scout and Samantha, I know I've done something that matters, something we can show our children and grandchildren so they, too, can know the awesome work that can be accomplished by volunteering. Saving the lives of horses is a serious but highly rewarding business. The reward for the staff, volunteers, donors and sponsors who work so hard is that the horses are getting a well deserved second chance."

Bonnie S. Wells
Bonnie kissing Lady Bird goodnight.

Bonnie Smiley Wells volunteers for Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue, Inc. (RVHR) in Hardy, Virginia. She has loved horses since childhood, but only since early retirement three years ago has she been able to experience that love on an ongoing basis. Never having a horse of her own, she now gets to be around several herds year round.

"This week there will be 47 soft muzzles to greet me!" said Bonnie. "I am so proud to be a part of RVHR. For starters, of the 238 horses by RVHR since it opened 11 years ago, 135 of those (and counting!) have been placed in loving homes."

Wells says she performs a variety of tasks - fund raising, assisting in the hayfields, wound care and calming a blind and frightened horse and is now concentrating on learning the bonding and exercising techniques taught by Pat Muncy, RVHR President and Certified Equine Cruelty Investigator.


CHAMPIONS is the EQUUS Foundation's incentive-based equine service volunteer program sponsored by Ariat International to recognize and reward individuals and organizations on the carrots4acause network.

It's easy to become a CHAMPION, an individual must log a minimum of 24 volunteer hours from January 1st to December 31st. The volunteer hours will be verified by the organization and The EQUUS Foundation.

To learn more about the Champions program, visit https://equusfoundation.org/champions.php.

About The EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal. 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 Ariat International

Ariat International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of innovative performance equestrian footwear, apparel and belts. Featuring a patented technology designed to deliver stability, durability and comfort, Ariat pioneered the application of advanced athletic shoe technology into English riding boots and authentic Western boots. Ariat products are sold in a network of retail outlets throughout the world. For more information about Ariat products or for the Ariat retailer nearest you, contact Ariat at 800.899.8141 or visit www.ariat.com.