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February 28, 2020
 
A Triumphant Saturday Night Lights Celebration presented by Boston Private to Protect America's Horses!

Over 150 guests who love horses and want to safeguard their future, joined the EQUUS Foundation on Saturday evening, February 22, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida, for its "Saturday Night Lights" event presented by Boston Private.

In welcoming guests, Lynn Coakley remarked, "We are grateful to our title sponsor, Boston Private, and Bill Woodson, for making this event possible and to all our guests who helped us make our evening for horses truly shine. Horses give us their heart and soul. We owe it to them to make sure they are safe and loved throughout their lives."

EQUUS Foundation
Edward Marshall, Andres Coles, Lynn Coakley, and Bill Woodson @ Geoff Tischman Photography

Guests were charmed at the door by Teddy the miniature horse, who has become a social media sensation as a previously slaughter-bound rescue horse that has found love and an important job as mascot for horse rescue and adoption.

Teddy was rescued by EQUUS Foundation Guardian, Omega Horse Rescue and adopted last year by EQUUS Foundation EQUUStar, Georgina Bloomberg, for her son, Jasper.
EQUUS Foundation
Olivia Chowdry, Alex Hamer, Teddy, and Hannah Selleck @ Geoff Tischman Photography

EQUUS Foundation
Dr. Vincent Abbatiello, Jill Abbatiello, Patricia Adikes-Hill, and Bob Cacchione with Teddy @ Geoff Tischman Photography
EQUUS Foundation
Nina Yacavino, Megan Robertson, and Kelly Stackpole with Teddy @ Geoff Tischman Photography

The Wellington Club tent was buzzing as guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and dinner, but clearly, the highlight of the evening was the spectacular, ringside viewing of the $401,000 Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix CSI5* -- won by two-time U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward riding his 2016 Olympic mount, HH Azur.

"We are so fortunate to have the privilege of watching the most beautiful and elite horses compete here tonight," said Valerie Angeli, VP of the EQUUS Foundation, when addressing guests.

"But the EQUUS Foundation exists because, behind the scenes of horse shows and equine competitions, is the sobering reality that many horses are at serious risk for abuse, neglect and slaughter when their initial careers are over," said Angeli.

EQUUS Foundation
Callie Seaman, Kyle Olson, and Jack Morgan @ Phelps Media Group
EQUUS Foundation
Lannie Lipson, Nancy Veloric, Gary Veloric, Scott Siegel, and Michael Furgiuele @ Phelps Media Group
EQUUS Foundation
Jenny Belknap Kees, Will Kees, and Tim Kees @ Geoff Tischman Photography

EQUUS Foundation
Mark Addison and Kristy Clark @ Phelps Media Group
EQUUS Foundation
Mark Addison and Kathy Reed @ Phelps Media Group

Angeli shared some highlights of a successful previous year for the EQUUS Foundation, including the merger of The Rider's Closet, founded by Georgina Bloomberg in 2006, as an EQUUS Foundation program. The Rider's Closet collects new and gently used equestrian apparel to donate to equestrians, athletic teams and organizations in need.

"We are in a stronger position than ever now to create opportunities for horses AND increase opportunities for more people to benefit from their magic and power," said Angeli.
EQUUS Foundation
John Talley, Georgina Bloomberg, Valerie Angeli, and Prince Lorenzo Borghese @ Geoff Tischman Photography

EQUUS Foundation
Morgan Cline, Sandy & Eric Krasnoff, and Dr. Kimberly Cline @ Geoff Tischman Photography
EQUUS Foundation
Charlie Moorcroft, Geoff Teall, Cynthia Woodson, and Edward Marshall @ Geoff Tischman Photography

EQUUS Foundation
Ben Meredith, Caroline Roffman, Patti Keenan and Mae Victoria Meredith @ Geoff Tischman Photography
EQUUS Foundation
Rebekah Greenhill and Carrie Hull @ Phelps Media Group
EQUUS Foundation
Victoria and Paula Watters @ Phelps Media Group
EQUUS Foundation
Katie Quirk, Denise Quirk, Teresa Mills, Marie Nickolai, and Tini Nickolai @ Phelps Media Group


Angeli recognized the contribution of Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation Founder and President, in creating the EQUUS Foundation in 2002 when she realized that, after looking into retiring her daughter's show horse, there were few options for next chapters for horses ending one career and needing another.

Coakley was presented with a beautiful, sterling silver horse pendant by long-standing EQUUS Foundation supporter, Dr. Vincent J. Abbatiello, for her passionate work in protecting America's horses.
EQUUS Foundation
Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President and Founder, Catherine Herman, EQUUS Foundation Vice Chair, and Jenny Belknap Kees, EQUUS Foundation Chair @ Geoff Tischman Photography

"It used to be a subject no one talked about. Where is Susie's first pony now? Where will Susie's equitation horse go now that she is heading off to college? "But, now -- because of your passion," continued Angeli, "we are talking about it and taking action -- and the EQUUS Foundation has emerged as the ONLY national animal welfare charity in the US that is solely focused on horse welfare and protection and promoting the horse-human bond. Look at how many supporters we have just in this room alone! Thank you for caring and helping to ensure their future because ALL horses deserve to be safe from harm," said Angeli.

View all our event photos here!

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Many Thanks to our Event Sponsors!

Corporate Sponsors
Ariat International
Boston Private
Corro
Fairfield Equine Associates
Lutz // Manfredi
Platinum Performance
Split Rock Jumping Tour/Derek Braun
Swede Ventures
VistaJet

Auction & Gift Sponsors
Dr. & Mrs. Vincent J. Abbatiello
Ariat International
BMW of Darien
David Erdek Portrait Photography
Designer's Touch Jewelry
Elite Island Resorts
Equestribar
Hampton Classic Horse Show
Hylofit
Deborah Kalas
Mane n' Tail
Kristin Ohmstede Fine Artisan Jewelry
Platinum Performance
VJA Seahorse Designs
Platinum
Fairfield Equine Associates
Lannie Lipson
The Woodson Family

Gold
Jenny Belknap & Walter T. Kees

Silver
HIHO Dressage

Bronze
Dr. & Mrs. Vincent J. Abbatiello
Dr. & Mrs. Steven Herman
Marylou D'Addario Kennedy & Sean Kennedy
Quiet Corner Farm




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 BOSTON PRIVATE: BOSTON PRIVATE offers a full spectrum of wealth management, trust, private and commercial banking services designed to give you one trusted resource to help simplify and strengthen your financial life. Every individual and organization has a different reason WHY they work so hard. At Boston Private, we strive to understand what drives our clients, so that we can help them live and work the way they want. Understanding what our clients' wealth is really for enables us to formulate a custom strategy and solution to help them achieve their goals, hopes and dreams for today and tomorrow. Headquartered in Boston, we serve clients from our offices located in the major markets of Greater Boston, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Palm Beach Gardens and New York. Website: https://www.bostonprivate.com
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