The EQUUS Foundation announced today the award of over $631,000 in grants, including awards of new and gently used riding apparel, valued at $313,864, to individual riders in need, scholastic riding programs, pony clubs, equestrian camp programs and equine charities through The Rider’s Closet program.
Primary support is awarded to equine charities nationwide that save and re-home increasing numbers of horses from abuse, neglect, and slaughter and charities that partner with horses to improve the well-being of people through the Foundation’s Transparency Awards program. The EQUUS Foundation awarded small grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to 142 charities that earned the EQUUS Foundation Guardian Seal of Transparency by completing the EQUUS Foundation’s comprehensive and unique verification process.
EQUUS Foundation Horse Whisperers are a select group of individuals and organizations who are committed to ensuring that America’s horses are safe and live with dignity throughout their lives and are recognized by the EQUUS Foundation for their extraordinary kinship with horses by the establishment of an award in their names to honor deserving equine charities.
The EQUUS Foundation Board of Directors honors those charities from among the grant recipients that best align with the interests of the Horse Whisperers with a Horse Whisperer Award.
Horse Whisperer Perpetual Awards
Michele E. Arnhold Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2008 in memory of Michele Arnhold’s life-long passion, her pursuit of excellence, and her commitment and contribution to the equestrian sport.
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
Old Lyme, CT
Daniel D. Barkan Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2013 in memory of Daniel D. Barkan, a quiet philanthropist and gentleman, in recognition of his life-long love of horses.
Forest, VA
Horse Whisperer Annual Awards
Augusta Mills Equestrian – Matt Metell Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 in recognition of the dedication of Augusta Mills Equestrian and Matt Metell to the welfare of horses.
Homestead, FL
Linda Berley Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 in celebration of Linda Berley’s 70th Birthday and in appreciation of her many friends who recognize her dedication to horse welfare.
Project Horse Empowerment Center
Purcellville, VA
Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2019 in honor of Emma and Georgina Bloomberg.
Omega Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
Airville, PA
Marguerite Brennan Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 in memory of Marguerite Brennan and in honor of her loving family, Jane Henderson, her daughter, and Michaela & Sean Pritchett, her grandchildren.
Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Inc.
Salem, CT
Giant Steps – Next Steps Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 to be awarded to an equine charity serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in honor of the American Institute for Neuro-Integrative Development (AIND) founded in 1993 to enhance the lives of children and young adults with neuro-biologically based learning and developmental disabilities by creating and maintaining outreach, educational, recreational and therapeutic programs and supporting related clinical and medical research
Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.
Lovettsville, VA
Gore Family Memorial Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 in honor of the Gore Family’s commitment to equine rescue and equine assisted activities and therapies.
Longmont, CO
Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc.
Dover Plains, NY
Jackson Family Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 in honor of the Jackson Family’s commitment to horse welfare.
Lisbon, MD
Southern Pines, NC
Kay Family Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 in honor of Lauren Kay and the Kay Family Foundation
BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center
Harvard, IL
Lafitte De Muze Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by Cheryl Olsten in the name of her horse, Lafitte De Muze, to protect and make a difference in the lives of horses who are in need of next chapters, with specific emphasis on the re-homing and retirement of Standardbreds.
West Townshend, VT
Lannie Lipson Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 in honor of Lannie Lipson and her commitment to ensuring a humane environment for horses now and in the future
Hastings, MN
Mighty Nice Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by Caroline Moran in recognition of 2017 Horse Stars Hall of Fame Inductee Mighty Nice owned by HnD Group, which was formed in memory of the late Bruce Duchossois, who owned Mighty Nice before his passing in 2014.
Kentucky Equine Adoption Center
Lexington, KY
Newstead Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2019 in recognition of the long-standing dedication of the Newstead Foundation and the Firestone Family to safeguarding of comfort and dignity of horses throughout their lives.
Guthrie, OK
Otis Booth Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 in honor of Stephanie Shafran and her daughters, Alexandra and Charlotte Murray, in recognition of their commitment to ensuring that horses remain an important part of American life.
Franktown, CO
Encinitas, CA
Richard L. Parish Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2014 by the family of Richard L. Parish in recognition of his leadership and dedication for over 45 years to the causes supported by the Richard Laurence Parish Foundation.
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Inc. (CKRH)
Lexington, KY
Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
Johns Island, SC
Brewster, NY
Ellen R. Pearl Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 by Ellen R. Pearl to be awarded annually through 2025 to an equine rescue that ensures the respect, dignity and comfort of their rescued equines throughout their lives.
Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary
Ravenna, OH
Split Rock Farm/Bobbie & Derek Braun Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 in honor of the dedication of the Braun Family and Split Rock Farm to powerful impact of horses in our lives
Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc.
Petaluma, CA
Grant recipients from the last three years can be viewed here
“The work of the EQUUS Foundation begins each time the career of a horse comes to an end. It is only through engaging passionate supporters and collaboration that we are able to identify and invest in effective programs that are finding homes for at-risk horses and horses in transition, providing a safe haven for aged horses, and increasing opportunities for more people to benefit from the magic and power of horses,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.
ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity in the United States 100% dedicated to protecting America’s horses and strengthening the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: www.equusfoundation.org.
View this release online here
Contact: Lynn Coakley
mail@equusfoundation.org
203-259-1550