A summery, sun-filled day on Monday, August 29th, 2022 was the date for the annual Hampton Classic Adoption Day sponsored by Georgina Bloomberg, EQUUS Foundation EQUUStar and top international equestrian. The day was dedicated to finding homes for adoptable horses, dogs and cats — with adoptable horses presented by the EQUUS Foundation!
“This is one of the most joyful days and events of the year for the EQUUS Foundation. It’s a day filled with inspiration, learning, and triumph for formerly at-risk horses finding second chapters. At this incredible venue, the EQUUS Foundation has the opportunity to promote its work in advocating for horses that need a lifeline and an opportunity to be someone’s champion,” said the EQUUS Foundation’s VP, Valerie Angeli, who organizes and co-hosts the day.
Attendees again gathered in the big, grass competition ring at the show, which was filled with adoptable horses of all types and sizes, and their rescuers as well as information tables about each organization to inspire visitors to learn and take action about horse welfare.
Over 300 attendees came to cheer on adoptable horses and learn more from Gerda’s Equine Rescue, VT, New England Equine Rescue, MA, Omega Horse Rescue, PA, Retired Racehorse Project, MD, and Return to Freedom Wild Horse Sanctuary, CA, and Rising Starr Horse Rescue, CT. “Horses, just like shelter animals, find themselves at risk and in dire situations because they fall through the cracks and need assistance and a spotlight. We come here every year to show that where horses go next is up to all of us, and we can help make ‘happily-ever-afters’ a reality for all horses,” said Angeli addressing the visitors.
Joining Georgina Bloomberg and EQUUS Foundation’s Angeli was award-winning author, animal advocate and renowned media personality, Jill Rappaport, EQUUS Foundation EQUUStar, Clementine Goutal, and Shanette Cohen, Executive Director, Hampton Classic Horse Show.
Local and national horse lovers and equestrians came to support horse welfare and offer their assistance and enthusiasm, including the entire Long Island University Equestrian Team of Brookville, NY, which helped staff information tables and handle and showcase adoptable horses and more.
Visitors also had the opportunity to take a tour of the HEART Horse Ambulance which provides assistance and transport to any horse that may become injured on site during the Hampton Classic week, and to learn more about the programs of the EQUUS Foundation, including the Rider’s Closet.
The Rider’s Closet donation trunk was on hand to take donations of gently used and new riding apparel to be distributed to equestrians in need. Founded by Georgina Bloomberg in 2006, the Rider’s Closet merged with the EQUUS Foundation in 2019.
The EQUUS Foundation would like to express its gratitude to Clema’s Handmade/Unchained for the beautiful custom-made, branded shirts donated to our staff and volunteers for this event.
“The goal of this day is to find horses actual homes on the spot when possible,” said Angeli, but the bigger picture is to educate the public about how many horses are available at rescues across the country,” said Angeli. Three horses were adopted at the event, including a beautiful mini horse named Rome, rescued by Omega Horse Rescue, and a lovely black and white paint mare named Panda, rescued by Rising Starr Horse Rescue, and additional adoptions are pending.
“We hope to inspire more people to consider adopting a horse, and were thrilled with having Mickey Blue Eyes make a guest-star appearance,” continued Angeli.
“Mickey, formerly a slaughter-bound pony, was adopted at this very event five years ago by EQUUS Foundation EQUUStar, Brianne Goutal-Marteau. Stunning Mickey is now winning ribbons at the Hampton Classic with Brianne’s daughters and proving that there is a champion in every horse that just needs a chance!”
Special Thanks to EQUUS Foundation Equine Ambassador, Lafitte De Muze!
Owned by Cheryl Olsten and Ridden by Amanda Steege
The close of the 2022 Hampton Classic Horse Show also marked the successful conclusion of a matching campaign for the EQUUS Foundation where donations made from July 21 through September 4 were matched by prize money won by EQUUS Foundation Equine Ambassador, Lafitte De Muze, and donated by his owner, Cheryl Olsten, up to $35,000.
“We are thrilled to announce that we received over $66,000 in donations during the matching campaign,” said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President. “We are deeply grateful to Cheryl Olsten, Lafitte De Muze, his rider, Amanda Steege, and our donors for helping to protect America’s horses from peril.”
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 from peril 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.
ABOUT THE HAMPTON CLASSIC: The Hampton Classic will be held August 28-September 4, 20221, at 240 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton, NY 11932. As one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the United States, and a premier destination for horse people, the Hampton Classic is a much-anticipated stop on the summer tour. The Hampton Classic Horse Show is in a class all its own, both in the minds of spectators and horse people alike. Contact the Hampton Classic at PO Box 3013, Bridgehampton, NY 11932, Tele: (631) 537-3177, E-Mail: Info@HamptonClassic.com, Website: www.hamptonclassic.com.
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Contact: Lynn Coakley
mail@equusfoundation.org
203-259-1550