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The Ride For Hope News
Equestrian Aid Foundation
May 2009 - Vol 1, Issue 1 |
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New Board Members
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Welcome Stephanie Riggio, Mimi Tashjian and Sheryl Kursar.
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| Making Strides in the Ride for Hope! |
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Welcome to our first-ever online newsletter. It's been a busy year already and, in case you missed it, we wanted to share all the happenings with our friends.
This inaugural issue is dedicated to you - our members, donors and supporters of all ages and disciplines - who enable us to assist our fellow equestrians and horseman
during their time of need. We all play an important role in helping those who may be suffering from life-threatening illness or catastrophic injury. Your contributions assist recipients with basic medical needs.
We've created this newsletter as a fun way to keep in touch. We'll include news on upcoming events, auctions and other exciting news. It will also be an opportunity to see the lives you've touched through our recipient spotlight. Below are some quick highlights from recently held fundraisers, news from corporate sponsor FarmVet and a recipient spotlight. And don't miss detailed stories and photos from these events at www.equestrianaidfoundation.org. |
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| Support the EAF with FarmVet purchases |
Buy great FarmVet products you need and donate to the EAF at the same time!Place your order on the first Tuesday of the month and FarmVet will donate a portion of the day's proceeds to the EAF. More exciting FarmVet news coming soon! Look for your new FarmVet catalog by mail or check the EAF site!
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Fundraisers Were Fun, Festive ... and Wet!
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 The EAF was fortunate to benefit from two great fundraisers during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.
Gotham South Grand Opening and Book Signing
EAF board member Georgina Bloomberg graciously opened her home to nearly 300 guests for the grand opening of her stable Gotham South.
 Guests also had the opportunity to purchase one of Kelly Klein's new books - HORSE. Kelly, a member of the EAF Board of Governors, has donated proceeds from her book to the EAF. Michael Matz, who wrote the foreward for HORSE, also was on hand to sign books with Kelly. Many thanks to Georgina (pictured above with her mother Sue and R. Scot Evans), Kelly and Michael (pictured at left). Photo credits: Heather Caristo.
 Young Riders Carnival
The Zieglers made a big splash with a carnival especially designed for the young riders. Organized by 14-year-old Caitlin Ziegler at the family's own Artisan Farms in Grand Prix Village, the event featured fun for children of all ages. More than 250 people enjoyed the Young Riders Carnival, which was tailored to its equestrian participants by offering a horseless jump course and dunk tank manned by well-known grand prix riders.
(Rodrigo Pessoa in the dunk tank. Photo credit: Kelly Klein. McLain Ward dries off below. Photo credit: Jamie Krauss.)
 Those who manned the dunk tank were certain to get wet, but that didn't stop some of the best recognized names in the show jumping world to sign up with a smile - including Rodrigo Pessoa (pictured at left), Laura Kraut, Margie Engle, Georgina Bloomberg, Hillary Dobbs, Brianne Goutal, Lauren Hough and Kent Farrington. The dunk tank was good luck for McLain Ward, who won the $150,000 CN Grand Prix the next day on Sapphire. Even EAF president R. Scot Evans took his turn at the helm.
Read the full releases and see more photos.
Palm Beach Dressage Derby
In addition to the fun WEF fundraisers, Mary Phelps Hathaway graciously hosted the Markel/Dressage Daily Palm Beach Derby "Inspection Reception" to benefit the EAF in February. Great auction items valued at more than $15,000 were offered, including a signed Olympic Ceremonies Jacket donated by Robert Dover, tickets to the World Cup Finals, and products and services for horse and riders. Read the complete story at Dressage Daily.
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| Meet the Wights of Rockin Heart Ranch! |
 Loren and Nancy Wight, along with their teenage daughter, operate an Egyptian Arabian breeding and training farm in beautiful Potlach, Idaho. They were living their dream, almost as idyllic as the scenery on the farm, when Loren sustained a catastrophic crush injury to his legs and resultant head injury causing blindness.
Last summer Loren was instructing a ranch hand on operating the tractor when it lurched forward and ran over both his lower legs and feet. He remained pinned until the tractor was backed over him again to get him free. Not only did he incur injury to his legs and feet, but sustained a head injury as well that has caused blindness. Currently in a wheelchair with prognosis undecided, Loren continues to focus on the positive, "There is a reason the good Lord decided to spare me; I still have much I need to accomplish in this life and we have a 16-year-old daughter to raise."
Nancy added, "In our many years of marriage, Loren and I have certainly experienced for better and for worse; this isn't the worst; this is just very hard."
"We can't even put into words how we can express our profound thanks for everything you are doing. We hope people comprehend how profound an impact their gifts and their thoughts have helped us."
Read the rest of the story in Dressage Daily."Enjoying a day on the Ranch," photo provided by Nancy Wight.
The Wights, like most EAF recipients, are experiencing an unexpected moment of hardship with dignity, determination and strength.
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| Cold Hands - Warm Heart Anthropologie Holiday Fundraiser |
Few places in the world can beat Rockefeller Center during the holidays. Nearly 150 equestrians couldn't agree more as they filled Anthropologie in New York City for EAF annual holiday shopping spree and live auction in last December.
Anthropologie's stylish fashions complemented the exclusive offerings for the auction, luring additional bidders by phone, including a private dinner with the Olympic 2008 show jumping team, a photo session with Kelly Klein, a beach house on Nantucket Island and a musical evening with Patti Scialfa. Pictured are (L - R) Jessica Springsteen and parents Bruce and Patti, R. Scot Evans and Brianne Goutal. Photo credit: Merle Allen. More pictures. |
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We hope you've enjoyed this issue. Please feel free to share your ideas and comments with us. Watch for future issues or in the meantime, visit the website for the most up-to-date information.
During these tough economic times, please remember our friends in need - attend or host a fundraiser, become a member, or make a donation today! Your contributions are more meaningful now more than ever.
Join us in The Ride For Hope.
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Tip of the Day: Share this newsletter with your friends and generate some good will for those in need. |
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