Alison Robitaille, Victoria Colvin and Sydney Shulman claimed the EQUUS Foundation’s Best Performance Team Invitational Team tricolor for Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on Friday, February 26th, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida.
While enjoying cocktails, dinner and an auction in the International Club, guests at the EQUUS Foundation‘s fête cheval étoile had ringside seats to root on the teams of top show jumping riders in this unique equitation competition. The teams were judged on their style, function and execution by Timmy Kees and Frank Madden as they navigated the 1.35m course in the International Arena while leading industry professionals Don Stewart and Jimmy Torano offered live commentary.
“The idea of it is really fun – going back to our roots in equitation for the night! It helps to remind us that the better we ride, the better it really is for our horses – which is what the EQUUS Foundation is all about,” said Shulman. Team Captain, Robitaille added, “The EQUUS Foundation makes a difference in their support of so many different equine organizations. We’re happy to be here to support them!”
L to R: Lynn Coakley, Victoria Colvin, Sydney Shulman, Alison Robitaille on Emilou Harris, Kim Crabtree, Dr. Courtney Wittich, Dr. Susannah Lewis, Chrystine Tauber, Jenny Belknap Kees & Shannon Coakley.
The Best Performance Team Invitational also recognizes the top individual performance from among the group and for the second year in a row (and riding the same horse!), Beezie Madden took home the tricolor.
Madden commented, “The Ariat Team had a really fun night. I was so fortunate to be able to ride Zinnia, my winning mount from last year again. The EQUUS Foundation is all about the bond between horse and rider and how that bond can be so beneficial to both the human and the horse. I’d like to thank Lilly Higgins and the team at Beacon Hill for letting me bond with Zinnia, and the EQUUS Foundation for the wonderful opportunity to showcase our connection.”
Beezie Madden on Zinnia owned by Lilly Higgins.
And while the exciting class was the feature of the evening, it was not the only highlight of the event. Each year, the fête cheval étoile also honors of the newest members of the Horse Stars Hall of Fame. This joint program between the USEF and the EQUUS Foundation recognizes and celebrates the extraordinary talent of horses and the magical bond between horses and people.
The 2016 Horse Stars Hall of Fame inductees included Afternoon Delight, Andy’s Arlin, Dash Rip Rock, Glynhafan Hermione, Phantom, PVF Peace of Mind, Rothchild, Skip to My Lulu and Verdades. Laurie Statam, owner of Dash Rip Rock, said, “I’m so thrilled and honored by the entire event. I cannot thank the EQUUS Foundation and USEF enough for this wonderful experience. I know that every horse person has that special horse, but so very few get recognized and the fact that you honor these special equines makes my heart sing. You do fantastic work.”
L to R: Brieann E. Stone with grandmother Elizabeth (Beth Stone), owner of Afternoon Delight, Aime Schulz, owner of Skip To My Lulu, Eizabeth & Kaitlin Hofer, owner of Glynhafan Hermione, Laurie Statam, owner of Dash Rip Rock, Jenny Belknap Kees, Joanne Hart & Kathy Blaine representing Catherine Wycoff, owner of Andy’s Arlin & Chrystine Tauber.
The event would not have been possible without the support of the fête cheval étoile guests and sponsors as well as the riders, judges and commentators who donated their time. And, above all, the horses!
Horses (listed alphabetically)
Airbrush
Ridden by Derek Braun
Owned by Split Rock Farm, Inc.
Team Split Rock
Anton
Ridden by Kevin Babington
Owned by Betty Robertsons
Team Split Rock
Cariatide
Ridden by Hardin Towell
Owned by Cariatide LLC
Team Split Rock
Casco M
Ridden by Cassandra Orpen
Owned by McLain Ward
Team Fairfield Equine
Celtic Fire
Ridden by Kaitlin Campbell
Owned by CF Partners
Team Ariat
Chanel B 2
Ridden by Victoria Colvin
Owned by Take The High Road, LLC
Team Hagyard
Cristallo
Ridden by Richard Spooner
Owned by Show Jumping Syndications Intl.
Team Animal Planet
Emilou Harris
Ridden by Alison Robitaille
Owned by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone
Team Hagyard
Ferron
Ridden by Candice King
Owned by Bellisimo LLC
Team Animal Planet
Laney
Ridden by McKayla Langmeier
Owned by Linda Langmeier
Team Animal Planet
Quidam 13
Ridden by Sydney Shulman
Owned by Jill Shulman
Team Hagyard
Shakira Z
Ridden by Peter Wylde
Owned by Beechwood Stables, LLC
Team Fairfield Equine
Zephire
Ridden by Hayley Barnhill
Owned by Barnhill LLC
Team Fairfield Equine
Zinnia
Ridden by Beezie Madden
Owned by Lilly Higgins
Team Ariat
The 2016 fête cheval étoile was live streamed by the Chronicle of the Horse. Viewers voted Celtic Fire as their Favorite Horse with 17,301 votes. Watch the 2016 fête cheval étoile here.
Event proceeds will be used to reduce the unwanted horse population, retrain horses for multiple careers, and make equine therapy available to more people. The EQUUS Foundation is the only national charitable foundation dedicated solely to ensuring the quality of life of horses and fostering the horse-human bond in the United States.
The EQUUS Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million in grants to equine charities across the United States and over 900 equine organizations participate on our Equine Welfare Network.
