Wellington, Fla. – Feb. 4, 2023 – The International Arena at Wellington International welcomed 35 teams donning their very best “Candy World” themed costumes to compete in the crowd favorite Great Charity Challenge (GCC), presented by Fidelity Investments® Saturday evening. Founded in 2009, the GCC came forward to increase funding to local non-profits, following the 2008 economic crisis, at a time when donations were scarce. In its 14th installment, the highly anticipated event distributes over $1 million to over 30 charities each year.
Garnering the win for the Caridad Center, Team “Dylan’s Candy Bar” sponsored by Frog Pond Stables and Little Creek Equestrian comprised of Abby Funk, Emma Hechtman, and Campbell Brown braved the wind and sped to the top of the class.
The GCC is a relay-style equestrian jumping competition with teams consisting of two junior/amateur riders combined with one Olympic or world-class professional rider. The rider teams are randomly paired with charities that serve Palm Beach County. Charities directly receive all proceeds from the event and the winning team receives $100,000 for its charity. The second-place team receives $90,000 and the third-placed’s charity receives $80,000. For more information on the Great Charity Challenge at the Winter Equestrian Festival click HERE.
[foogallery id=”36839″]
FROM THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
The Caridad Center
On being part of the event:
“We are thrilled to have been a part of tonight’s event. The GCC is such a conglomeration of charities in Palm Beach County and we are so honored to have been selected!
This win tonight allows us to expand our social services programs at our largest clinic in Florida which is Caridad center, we are absolutely thrilled to be able to serve the community. We serve the underinsured and the underserved in this county and we are thrilled to do this work every day, so thank you so much. It’s a life-changing amount of money for our clinic! These three women right here [the riders] are the reason we were able to [receive this donation].”
RESULTS
Place / Team Name / Charity / Team Sponsor / Supporting Sponsor / Team Members
1. Dylan’s Candy Bar / Caridad Center / Frog Pond Stables / Little Creek Equestrian / Abby Funk, Emma Hechtman, Campbell Brown
2. Sprinkles / HabCenter / Lunar Dressage / Equine Tack and Nutritionals / Vivian Golden, Gabriella Curry, Grace Debney
3. 80’s Candy- Candy Land / 211 of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast / Postage Stamp Farm Foundation / Next One Equestrian LLC / Alex Beyrer, Stephanie Garrett, David O’Brien
