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Save the Date! New Co-Chairs and New Judges for Equestrian Idol on February 12, 2010 in Wellington, Florida

Written by: Lynn Coakley
Client: Equus Foundation, Inc.
Release Date: 2009-10-23

WESTPORT, CT - October 23, 2009 - The Equestrian Idol event in Wellington has emerged as an eagerly awaited annual tradition and will be held on Friday, February 12, 2010 at the International Polo Club, in Wellington, Florida.

EQUUS Board Members Gray Fadden and Visse Wedell have taken on the challenge to make the 2010 event even better than before. "The equestrians who perform are taking time out of their busy schedules to support The EQUUS Foundation", said Visse Wedell. "We want this event to be fun for them and fun for the guests too." The evening's judges will include Patricia Griffith, Leslie Howard, and Frank Madden - all of whom have performed at past Idol events. Mason Phelps, Jr. will again serve as the master of ceremonies.

"With these three opinionated equestrians as judges and Mason as emcee, guests can be assured of a lively evening along with great entertainment from the performers", said Gray Fadden. The fourth judge's slot will be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

2009 performers included Dianne Bricker, Heather Caristo, Hillary Dobbs, Patricia Griffith, Casey Hodges, Brian Lookabill and Chad Watridge, along with Jen White Kane, who was named the 2009 Equestrian Idol, and encore performances by Taylor Blauweiss, the 2007 Idol, and Ki-Juan Minors, 2008 Idol.

Are you an Equestrian Idol hopeful? The EQUUS Foundation is issuing an open call to add some new performers this year. Anyone interested in competing should contact Lynn Coakley, The EQUUS Foundation, at (203) 259-1550 or via e-mail at equus@equusfoundation.org.

The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. raises its funds almost entirely from event attendance and awarded grants to 49 equestrian and horse-related charities in 2009, bringing the total awards to over $1.3 million since its first awards in 2003. Individual seats for the Equestrian Idol event are $150 per person. Tables of eight are available as follows: Gold: $5,000, Silver: $3,500 and Bronze: $2,500.

The 2009 sponsors included Presenting Sponsor, The Newman's Own Foundation. Bobbie & Derek Braun & Split Rock Farm, Mary & Mike Carpenter, Spy Coast Farm, and Wrenwood Farms attended as Gold Medal Sponsors; Jenny Belknap & Timmy Kees, Jane Forbes Clark, Gray & Jerry Fadden, Louisburg Farm, Sandcastle Farm, Shell Point, Steeple Chase Farm Foundation, Stone Hill Farm, and Visse Wedell generously supported the Foundation as Silver Medal Sponsors; and Bronze Medal Sponsors included Patricia Adikes-Hill, Burr Associates, Desfor Farms, Glenview Inc., Heritage Farm, JT Farm, Diane & Regis Lippert, Meadowview Farm, PJP Farm, Quiet Corner Farm, SCNC Investments & East Wind, and Mimi Tashjian.

For additional information on The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., visit the EQUUS website at www.equusfoundation.org or contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, telephone (203) 259-1550, email to equus@equusfoundation.org.

About The EQUUS Foundation, Inc.
The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., established in August 2002, as a 501(c)(3) national charitable foundation, seeks to raise public awareness of the value of the horse in society through education and the awarding of grants to charities that use the horse to benefit the public, promote the health and welfare of horses, and elevate the equestrian sport as a whole.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors, which is responsible for the selection of the grant recipients. The Board includes: Jenny Belknap Kees, Chairman, Catherine Herman, Vice Chairman, David T. Goodwin, Secretary/Treasurer, Lynn Coakley, President, David Distler, Gray Fadden, Richard Mitchell DVM, Clea Newman Soderlund, and Visse Wedell.

Thanks to the generosity of its donors, The EQUUS Foundation helps thousands of people and horses each year. Over $1.3 million in grants have been awarded since the first awards in 2003. 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: equus@equusfoundation.org, website: www.equusfoundation.org.