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Timetable

• Between September 1 and January 15: To participate, the team will complete the online registration form which includes team information, the designation of a primary contact, and the selection of the charity on our Equine Welfare Network that the team will support. The primary contact can be the coach, the adult contributing member, the team captain, or a team member.

Selection of the charity is required in order to submit the form. If you need assistance in selecting a charity, please email us at mail@equusfoundation.org BEFORE completing the form.

Ideally, the completed registration should be submitted early as possible to give the team more time to work with the selected charity, however, the deadline to submit the registration form and participate is January 15.

Upon receipt of the registration form, the EQUUS Foundation will connect the team contact with the primary contact of the charity selected to discuss how the team can best serve the charity. Service can be in-person actual volunteering or virtual (social media, publicity, help with fundraising). We expect that most of the service will be virtual, i.e., publicity, fundraising, etc., depending on the proximity of the team and the charity.

Upon our receipt of the charity's acknowledgement, the EQUUS Foundation will email the primary contact with links to share with each team member to take the #HorseProtectors Pledge and our education module - The Horse: Commodity or Partner along with information about the charity.

• On or before March 15: The primary team contact will submit a 500-word essay addressing reflections on the team's volunteer experience and what was learned; how the team can continue advancing the goals of the Horse Protectors Pledge; and why protecting America's horses matters to the next generation of equestrians. The charity contact will also provide an evaluation of the team's efforts. If the volunteer service included any fundraising efforts, the charity contact will also be asked to include the amount, if any, that the team raised.

The primary team contact will email the TEAM ESSAY AND ROSTER FORM to mail@equusfoundation.org. The roster will be used to evaluate how many team members took the #HorseProtector pledge and the module - The Horse: Commodity or Partner. Download the TEAM ESSAY AND ROSTER FORM Word here / PDF here.

• Not later than April 15: The EQUUS Foundation will select and notify the winning team and winning charity.

EQUUS Foundation IEA #HorseProtectors Team Award

Registration will be open from September 1 until January 15

Created in partnership between Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) and the EQUUS Foundation, this new team-based award honors IEA teams that go beyond the show ring to make a meaningful difference in the well-being of America's horses and the people who benefit from their interaction with horses.

The award celebrates the idea that great riders do more than compete—they lead with compassion, serve with purpose, and help ensure a better future for horses everywhere. Designed to inspire teamwork, leadership, service, and advocacy, the team will complete a volunteer project for an equine charity on the EQUUS Foundation Equine Welfare Network, resulting in helping students understand the lifelong needs of horses and the importance of protecting their welfare. It is an opportunity for riders to grow as leaders, strengthen team culture, and experience firsthand how they can create positive change for horses.

The winning team will be selected by the EQUUS Foundation based on:
--Quality and impact of volunteer service in support of the equine charity selected by the team
--Team participation and collaboration
--Commitment to horse welfare education and advocacy
--Thoughtfulness and originality of essay submission
--Demonstrated leadership and community spirit
--The number of team members that take our Horse Protectors pledge with the expectation that at least 85% take the pledge as well as the number of team members who take our education module – The Horse: Commodity or Partner.

The winning team will receive a cash award of $1,500 and the charity selected by the team will receive a $500 grant. If the team engaged in a fundraising activity for the charity and generated at least $500 as a direct result of their volunteer efforts, the winning team will receive a cash award of $2,000.

The winning team will be featured in a media release distributed by the EQUUS Foundation and an e-blast distributed by the IEA.

Registration Form

TEAM NAME

Please enter the official name of your IEA Team:

CHARITY SELECTION

Please select the charity that your team wishes to support. Upon submission, the EQUUS Foundation will reach out to you by email with the name of the contact at the charity. If you need assistance in selecting a charity, please email us at mail@equusfoundation.org BEFORE submitting this form.

PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION

The primary contact may be the coach, adult coordinating member, team captain, or a team member.
Contact Name

Role

Contact Email

Contact Cell Phone Enter as XXX-XXX-XXXX

COACH

Name of Coach

Email Address of Coach

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