This week, the Equestrian Aid Foundation announced their new horse show program, Show You Care. The organization provides financial assistance to members of the horse community who suffer from catastrophic illness and injury and they are reaching out to horse show managers across the country to help them with their mission.
“Linda Andrisani, a well-respected US Equestrian “R” judge, and other Foundation board members convinced us to launch this horse show program,” said Louise Smith, executive director of Equestrian Aid Foundation. “The concept is aligned with our goals to spread awareness of the organization, gain support and help more horse people in need.”
Andrisani (pictured) faced the unknown when she and her lifelong partner, Jack Stedding, had to downsize their top show hunter business due to illness. “The EAF came in and supplemented the loss of my income and helped me get back on my feet,” Andrisani said. “I had never really been aware of the depth of the work that they did for so many of the horse people.”
The Show You Care program is a simple and impactful way for horse show managers to support the Equestrian Aid Foundation’s mission of helping critically ill and injured horse people—from riders and grooms to judges and ground crew; the very people who populate show grounds day after day.
How the program works is simple and straight-forward. Show managers designate a warm-up or schooling class in the hunter and jumper divisions as a ‘Show You Care class’. Then, the show managers choose a percentage of each entry fee, from 5 to 50 percent per designated class, to donate to the Equestrian Aid Foundation at the end of the show. Because Equestrian Aid Foundation is a 501(c)(3), donations are tax deductible. Show managers control the depth of their contribution by their selection of the classes and the percentage of contribution.
Caring about seriously injured or ill members of the equestrian community is a great message for show managers to send, and the Equestrian Aid Foundation will promote their support in the press, on the web, in email marketing and social media.
Upon completing their rounds in the Show You Care class, competitors will receive a green Show You Care lapel ribbon, provided by Equestrian Aid Foundation. Riders are encouraged to wear their ribbons throughout the show and share their photos on social media (hashtags #ShowYouCare and #EquestrianAidFoundation). Winners of a monthly Show You Care social media photo contest will win a prize.
Show managers may sign up now for the Show You Care program for their 2017 summer and fall horse shows. Contact Emily Cleland at Emily@EquestrianAid.org. Or, for more information about the Equestrian Aid Foundation’s work, watch the video below.