EQUUS Foundation Celebrates Show Jumping with Champagne, Cupcakes & Mini Horses at the Fairfield June Horse Show

On Friday June 25th, over 200 EQUUS Foundation supporters gathered at the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Horse Show to watch the inaugural Charity Team Jumper Challenge presented by Corro and to enjoy Champagne & Cupcakes hosted by Cindy Raney & Co. and kisses from Daphne and Velma, two miniature horses rescued by EQUUS Foundation Guardian charity, Rising Starr Horse Rescue. It was a spectacular afternoon of sun and light breezes to celebrate the excitement of show jumping and the rewards of giving back – up close and in person.

Gangsterlinus owned by Beyaert Farm and ridden by Mattias Tromp, Lynn Coakley, Stephen Rector, Ringmaster,

“It’s hard to imagine that behind the glamour of equine sport, there are tens of thousands of Daphnes and Velmas that have been subjected to abuse and neglect,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. “Some, like Daphne and Velma, are saved from the slaughter pipeline – thousands are not. Over 37,000 were sent across our borders to slaughter in 2020.

But solutions are within our reach. Only 69,000 of the more than 61 million people with disabilities in the US are currently benefitting from the therapeutic power of horses. What’s even more amazing is that only 7,900 horses in the US are serving in a therapeutic role! While horses are amazing athletes and just plain fun to ride, the potential for horses to help heal our wounds is boundless.

We are very grateful to Corro and Cindy Raney & Co. and the Fairfield County Hunt Club June Horse Show for providing us with the venue to raise awareness that for horses to remain an important part of American life, we need to protect them and value them as our partners – as athletes, companions, teachers and healers.”

Kelly Nigro, Lisa Passavant, Cindy Raney and Jason Mudd of Cindy Raney & Co.,

Dan and Ellen Crown Photo @ Geoff Tischman Photography Valerie Angeli, EQUUS Foundation VP of Engagement, with Tony Augustine and DaVinci Photo @ Geoff Tischman Photography Anne Ewing, EQUUS Foundation Board member, William R. Harris, Jr., and Janis Arena Photo @ Geoff Tischman Photography Benjamin Dean and Natalie Jackson with Oliver Twist Photo @ Geoff Tischman Photography

EQUUS Foundation Advisory Council member, Natalie Jackson, with her parents, Thomas & Pamela Jackson and Jenny Belknap Kees, EQUUS Foundation Board Chair with her husband, Tim Kees and their son, Will Kees Photo @ Geoff Tischman Photography EQUUS Foundation Advisory Council member, Sophie Stenbeck, with her daughter, Grace, placing third in the Charity Team Challenge with team member, Vasco Flores Chris Greer, Robin Moyer Chung, Editor Westport Lifestyle Magazine, Marisa MacLean, Publisher Westport Lifestyle Magazine, and Sean Hogan, Fairfield June Show Co-Chair Photo @ Geoff Tischman Photography Kris Greer, Kassidy Greer, Bob Cacchione, and Nicole Graf Photo @ Geoff Tischman Photography

A Family Affair: Lucia Fanjul (top seated) with Lynn Coakley (top left) and Tatiana Perkin (top right)

Gold Medal: Phyllis Collins and Dr. & Mrs. Steven Herman

Silver Medal: William R. Harris, Jr.

Bronze Medal: Priscilla and Charles Cornell, The Grove Family, Gigi Haber MFH and Miss Susan Shafer

Champion: The Calger Family, Friends of the EQUUS Foundation, Greentree Toyota & Brenda Tananbaum, Hansen & Hansen, John R. Hansen, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Harold Trischman, Coke Anne and Jarvis Wilcox, W.J. Barry Horse Transportation, and Margaret E. Wyrwas & Peter Thorner

Blue Ribbon: Aqua Lawn Inc., Mr. & Mrs. Richard Bondy, Walter & Jeanette Ciciora, Susan H. Clatworthy, Mr. and Mrs. Geoff Durno, Valeria Morozovsky Girimonte, Heidi Hammer, Karl Mergenthaler and Tracey Reeves – Home On The Porch

Auction Sponsors: Beval Saddlery Ltd., Clipper Barn of Connecticut, David Erdek Portrait Photography, Donna B Fine Art, Elite Island Resorts, Deborah Kalas, Cheryl Olsten & Lafitte De Muze, Carrie Seim, Sixteen Cypress & Emily Factor, VJA Seahorse Designs and Your Horse Treats