Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding: EQUUS Foundation’s Best Performance Team Invitational

The only national charitable foundation dedicated solely to ensuring the quality of life of horses in the United States, the EQUUS Foundation raised funds through its annual Best Performance Team Invitational.

Each Friday, Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization doing good work in the horse world. Today, we’re spotlight the EQUUS Foundation for its recent fundraising event.

Alison Robitaille, Victoria Colvin and Sydney Shulman claimed the EQUUS Foundation’s Best Performance Team Invitational Team tricolor for Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on Friday, February 26th, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.

While enjoying cocktails, dinner and an auction in the International Club, guests at the EQUUS Foundation‘s fête cheval étoile had ringside seats to root on the teams of top show jumping riders in this unique equitation competition. The teams were judged on their style, function and execution by Timmy Kees and Frank Madden as they navigated the 1.35m course in the International Arena while leading industry professionals Don Stewart and Jimmy Torano offered live commentary.

“The idea of it is really fun – going back to our roots in equitation for the night! It helps to remind us that the better we ride, the better it really is for our horses – which is what the EQUUS Foundation is all about,” said Shulman. Team Captain, Robitaille added, “The EQUUS Foundation makes a difference in their support of so many different equine organizations. We’re happy to be here to support them!”

L to R: Lynn Coakley, Victoria Colvin, Sydney Shulman, Alison Robitaille on Emilou Harris, Kim Crabtree, Dr. Courtney Wittich, Dr. Susannah Lewis, Chrystine Tauber, Jenny Belknap Kees & Shannon Coakley. Photo courtesy of the EQUUS Foundation.

The Best Performance Team Invitational also recognizes the top individual performance from among the group and for the second year in a row (and riding the same horse!), Beezie Madden took home the tricolor.

Madden commented, “The Ariat Team had a really fun night. I was so fortunate to be able to ride Zinnia, my winning mount from last year again. The EQUUS Foundation is all about the bond between horse and rider and how that bond can be so beneficial to both the human and the horse. I’d like to thank Lilly Higgins and the team at Beacon Hill for letting me bond with Zinnia, and the EQUUS Foundation for the wonderful opportunity to showcase our connection.”

Beezie Madden on Zinnia owned by Lilly Higgins. Photo courtesy of EQUUS Foundation.

And while the exciting class was the feature of the evening, it was not the only highlight of the event. Each year, the fête cheval étoile also honors of the newest members of the Horse Stars Hall of Fame. This joint program between the USEF and the EQUUS Foundation recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary talent of horses and the magical bond between horses and people.

The 2016 Horse Stars Hall of Fame inductees included Afternoon Delight, Andy’s Arlin, Dash Rip Rock, Glynhafan Hermione, Phantom, PVF Peace of Mind, Rothchild, Skip to My Lulu and Verdades. Laurie Statam, owner of Dash Rip Rock, said, “I’m so thrilled and honored by the entire event. I cannot thank the EQUUS Foundation and USEF enough for this wonderful experience. I know that every horse person has that special horse, but so very few get recognized and the fact that you honor these special equines makes my heart sing. You do fantastic work.”

L to R: Brieann E. Stone with grandmother Elizabeth (Beth Stone), owner of Afternoon Delight, Aime Schulz, owner of Skip To My Lulu, Eizabeth & Kaitlin Hofer, owner of Glynhafan Hermione, Laurie Statam, owner of Dash Rip Rock, Jenny Belknap Kees, Joanne Hart & Kathy Blaine representing Catherine Wycoff, owner of Andy’s Arlin & Chrystine Tauber. Photo courtesy of EQUUS Foundation.

The 2016 fête cheval étoile was live streamed by the Chronicle of the Horse. Viewers voted Celtic Fire as their Favorite Horse with 17,301 votes. Watch the 2016 fête cheval étoile here.

Event proceeds will be used to reduce the unwanted horse population, retrain horses for multiple careers, and make equine therapy available to more people. The EQUUS Foundation is the only national charitable foundation dedicated solely to ensuring the quality of life of horses and fostering the horse-human bond in the United States.

The EQUUS Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to equine charities across the United States and over 900 equine organizations participate on our Equine Welfare Network.

Modified from a press release.

Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.