|
Horse Lovers and the Equine Community Came Together for At-Risk Horses at the 2018 Hampton Classic!
Monday, August 27th was a super-hot and steamy summer day at the 2018 Hampton Classic Horse Show, but that didn't stop horse lovers and members of the equine and equestrian community from coming out to show their support and affection for America's at-risk horses!
Thanks once again to the Hampton Classic Horse Show and Georgina Bloomberg, EQUUS Foundation EQUUStar and the sponsor of the Hampton Classic Animal Adoption Day with Adoptable Horses presented by the EQUUS Foundation, dogs, cats and horses from select local animal rescues had their day to shine, share their stories, and potentially find forever homes.
Left to Right: Lynn Coakley, Georgina Bloomberg and Valerie Angeli lead the parade of adoptable horses on opening day of the Hampton Classic - Photo by Kristin Gray
The Hampton Classic event gave people a chance to experience in person just some of the meaningful ways everyone can engage in supporting horse welfare and giving back to these magical creatures that touch our lives.
These EQUUS Foundation events at prestigious shows like the Hampton Classic are part of the newly announced EQUUS Foundation NEXT CHAPTERS program, an on-line platform that features adoptable horses as well as listings of organizations in search of program horses. All the horses featured at the event have in-depth online profiles making the adoption process easier and transparent.
Adoptable horses from ReRun Thoroughbred Adoption and Rising Starr Horse Rescue with their handlers and volunteers, and our EQUUStar, Georgina Bloomberg, in the middle! Photo by EQUUS Foundation
Joining EQUUS Foundation officials and horse rescues were nationally renowned animal advocate, network journalist and best-selling author and host and consulting producer for Dog Bowl on Animal Planet, Jill Rappaport, and EQUUS Foundation EQUUStars and top international riders, Georgina Bloomberg, Brianne Goutal-Marteau, and Clementine Goutal.
Rising Starr's Adoptable Horses, Faith & Blaze, with Volunteers - Photo by Kristin Gray
Meeting and mingling with adoptable horses and EQUUStars - Photo by Lisa Tamburini
Many spectators had never met a horse up close and were inspired by stories of the special horses that joined us - Photo by Lisa Tamburini
The Long Island University IHSA/NCAA Varsity Equestrian Team (above), whose success depends on donated horses looking for new homes, was there to help with the event and was thrilled to meet their equestrian idols, the EQUUStars who posed for photos with them - Photo by Lisa Tamburini
|
Also joining the EQUUS Foundation for this day of learning and inspiration were the Retired Racehorse Project and the Mustang Heritage Foundation. The state-of-the-art HEART Horse Ambulance was also on display and open for tours to show spectators how this special vehicle helps save injured horses.
Julia Oughton, Program Developer, Retired Racehorse Project with her son, George - Photo by Geoff Tischman
Formerly wild mustangs, Adira and Moonshine Lady - just three months out of the wild where they faced an uncertain future. Trainer Rob West and Krista Archer-Catania show how versatile and dependable they are - and that their lives depend on second chances - Photo by Geoff Tischman
Meeting Mustang, Moonshine Lady - Photo by Geoff Tischman
|
"This day is about inspiring awareness of how many perfectly wonderful horses across the country of all shapes and sizes are in desperate need of a lifeline and a loving home," said Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation event organizer and VP Engagement. "If the horses find homes at this event, which they do and have in the past, that is the icing on cake! So many horses that wind up in the slaughter pipeline are healthy and amazing animals with untapped potential to continue to thrive as athletes, companions, teachers and healers - they were just unlucky. We want people to look into the eyes of these beautiful creatures and know what a horse that needs a second chance looks like," said Angeli.
A special highlight of the event was the presentation of a $110,000 check to the EQUUS Foundation on behalf of Mike and Kerry Gaynor by Dana Trotter, an award-winning Hamptons real estate agent for Sothebys, who is herself an avid equestrian and sponsor at the Hampton Classic. Mike and Kerry Gaynor, also equestrians and horse lovers, who recently sold a Hamptons equestrian property through Trotter, pledged to donate 1% of the selling price to the EQUUS Foundation to give back to America's horses at risk. This incredible act of generosity inspired the EQUUS Foundation's new Houses for Horses program providing critical funding for qualified equine welfare organizations across the country.
Left to Right: Lynn Coakley, Shanette Cohen, Georgina Bloomberg, Valerie Angeli,
Jill Rappaport, Dana Trotter, Clementine Goutal and Brianne Goutal-Marteau
Photo by Geoff Tischman
When the event ended, attendees were encouraged to continue to help horses through social media, volunteering and helping spread the word through the equine community about how to be a #HorseProtector and give back to many thousands of horses waiting for help and a new beginning. The message of the day was that everyone can do something, not matter what age you are - if you care, you can make a difference!
|
About EQUUS Foundation: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, 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 the Hampton Classic: As one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the United States, and a premier destination for horse people, the Hampton Classic is a much-anticipated stop on the summer tour. The Hampton Classic Horse Show is in a class all its own, both in the minds of spectators and horse people alike. Contact the Hampton Classic at PO Box 3013, Bridgehampton, NY 11932, Tele: (631) 537-3177, E-Mail: Info@HamptonClassic.com, Website: www.hamptonclassic.com/.
|
| Back To Top
|
|
|
|
