Left to Proper: Gabriella Pizzolo, Jill Rappaport, Serena Marron, Valerie Angeli, and Kevin Santacroce Photograph @ Marianne Barnett
What higher technique to begin the 2023 Hampton Traditional Horse Present than by specializing in the welfare of America’s horses in want of endlessly properties? The EQUUS Basis partnered with the Hampton Traditional to showcase adoptable horses on Sunday, August 27, through the Opening Day Ceremony within the Grand Prix Ring, and on Monday, August 28, for the annual Adoption occasion sponsored by Gotham Enterprizes and Georgina Bloomberg.
The Opening Day ceremony previewed the adoptable horses that might be collaborating the following day and featured common actress, Gabriella Pizzolo of TV and Broadway; famend animal welfare and adoption advocate, TV character and best-selling creator, Jill Rappaport; Serena Marron, EQUUS Basis Advisory Council member; and Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Basis VP Engagement.
The spotlight was the presentation of a $4,000 test to the EQUUS Basis from ConnectOne Financial institution, a brand new sponsor of the Hampton Traditional. ConnectOne Financial institution’s Lengthy Island Market President, Kevin Santacroce, stated, “As ConnectOne Financial institution continues to develop on Lengthy Island and serve the group, I’m delighted to honor the EQUUS Basis with this donation for his or her long-standing dedication to making sure the welfare of America’s horses and fostering the horse-human bond.”
Equine Adoption Day
On August 28, Georgina Bloomberg and Jill Rappaport joined Valerie Angeli to emcee the annual Equine Adoption occasion. Collaborating EQUUS Basis Guardian charities included Bergen County Horse Rescue, Rising Starr Horse Rescue, and Sunshine Horses.
Over 100 attendees had been capable of get pleasure from not solely hands-on experiences with the adoptable horses but in addition studying experiences, together with excursions of the state-of-the-art HEART Horse Ambulance and an illustration of blacksmithing and equine leg anatomy by Tim Fitzgerald of the Lengthy Island College School of Veterinary Medication. There was additionally interactive enjoyable that includes Bouncy Horse Racing and Horseless Present Leaping. The Lengthy Island College Equestrian Staff volunteered in full pressure.
Christine Fitzgerald, Government Director of The Rider’s Closet, was readily available to remind attendees that the donation trunk could be onsite all week. The Rider’s Closet, based by Georgina Bloomberg and now an EQUUS Basis program, makes equestrian sport extra accessible to all riders to pursue their equestrian desires.
How You Can Assist
Angeli added, “When you can’t undertake a horse, you may nonetheless assist by lending your voice. Be a part of us as a #HorseProtector by taking the pledge right here that you may be a buddy and advocate for horses in want.” Whereas no donation is required to take the #HorseProtector pledge, every particular person who takes the pledge can have their very own custom-made fundraising web page to encourage donations from amongst their household, pals, and associates. Pledge takers who give or increase $100 or extra beginning now by means of August 31, 2024 might be entered right into a drawing to win prizes donated by our HorseProtector Sponsors.
There have been a number of adoptions at, and shortly after, the occasion in addition to ongoing curiosity in all of the horses that participated, as a direct results of publicity each in particular person on the occasion, and thru phrase of mouth and social media.
A particular spotlight of the day was the adoption of the Mustang mare, Abracadabra, from Rising Starr Horse Rescue. “Abra, a sufferer of the federal government roundups to rid wild horses from public lands, is an emblem of the plight of all American wild horses who’re preventing for his or her lives and who at the moment are determined for and depending on new-found functions as soon as faraway from their household herds and pure habitats,” stated Angeli. Abra’s life had taken twists and turns for years since her removing from the wild, and this adoption was significantly emotional and triumphant.
Sunshine Horses educated and amazed spectators with their gorgeous off-track Standardbred horses who had been in search of particular properties after their harness racing careers had ended. “The tales these horses may inform – from racing, to public sale, to virtually delivery to slaughter, to being bought to work as cart and buggy horses for years, solely to be despatched again to public sale – will break your coronary heart,” stated Angeli. “The fortunate ones discover their technique to rescue, rehab, rehoming and hope – however many won’t. That’s why we’re right here at the moment, to share their tales and to work collectively to verify no horse winds up in danger.”
To study extra concerning the many horses obtainable for adoption from our Guardian charities nationwide, please go to: equusfoundation.org/undertake.
