Scroll to:

Horse Whisperers

Making a lasting difference in the lives of people and horses

Horse Whisperers are a special group of people and organizations who are inspired by the magical and powerful impact of horses in our lives and recognized by the EQUUS Foundation for their compassion and dedication to horse welfare. A select group of charities are designated as Horse Whisperer Award Recipients each year by the EQUUS Foundation Board of Directors.

PERPETUAL AWARDS

Michele E. Arnhold Memorial Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2008 by the family of Michele E. Arnhold in memory of her life-long passion, her pursuit of excellence, and her commitment and contribution to the equestrian sport.

2020: High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Old Lyme, CT

Daniel D. Barkan Memorial Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2013 by the family of Daniel D. Barkan, a quiet philanthropist and gentleman, in memory of his life-long love of horses.

2020: Brook Hill Farm, Forest, VA

ANNUAL AWARDS

Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2019 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of Emma and Georgina Bloomberg.

2020: Omega Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, Airville, PA

Gore Family Memorial Foundation Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of the Gore Family's commitment to equine rescue and equine assisted activities and therapies.

2020: Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc., Dover Plains, NY, & Saving Horses, Inc, Encinitas, CA

Jackson Family Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of the Jackson Family's commitment to horse welfare.

2020: Gerda's Equine Rescue, Inc., West Townshend, VT, & The Equus Effect, Sharon, CT

Lafitte De Muze Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2018 by Cheryl Olsten in the name of her horse, Lafitte De Muze, to protect America's horses at risk for abuse and neglect, and to inspire others who experience the joy of horses to help ensure that all horses live in comfort and with dignity throughout their lives.

2020: Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, CO, & This Old Horse, Inc., Hastings, MN

Mighty Nice Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2018 by Caroline Moran in recognition of 2017 Horse Stars Hall of Fame Inductee Mighty Nice owned by HnD Group, which was formed in memory of the late Bruce Duchossois, who owned Mighty Nice before his passing in 2014.

2020: Secretariat Center, Lexington, KY

Newstead Foundation Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2019 by the EQUUS Foundation in recognition of the long-standing dedication of the Newstead Foundation and the Firestone Family to safeguarding of comfort and dignity of horses throughout their lives.

2020: Project Horse Empowerment Center, Great Falls, VA, & Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center, Aldie, VA

Richard L. Parish Memorial Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2014 by the family of Richard L. Parish in recognition of his leadership and dedication for over 45 years to the causes supported by the Richard Laurence Parish Foundation.

2020: Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, John’s Island, SC, Green Chimneys Children’s Services, Brewster, NY, & Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement, Salem, CT

Split Rock Farm/Bobbie & Derek Braun Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of dedication of the Braun Family and Split Rock Farm to powerful impact of horses in our lives.

2020: Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc., Petaluma, CA

Weisberg Family Foundation Horse Whisperer Award

Established in 2018 by the Weisberg Family Foundation, a private philanthropic organization with a passion for serving horses, children and veterans.

2020: Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, Inc (SMART), Bradenton, FL, & Horsepower, Inc., High Point, NC

SPECIAL AWARDS

MEMORIAL FUND

The EQUUS Foundation recognizes the names of loved ones for whom memorial donations were made during the last two years.

September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021

Carol Wissner

David E. Ahearn

Elizabeth Breen Matl

Howard Simowitz

Nancy Bartine

Shadow

Susan McAnally

Vivian Frances Burns Ruther

W.E. "Bill" Sparks

September 1, 2019 - August 31, 2020

Alexandria Gokey

Bill Kelly

Bobby Ray Atkins

Bonnie Lee Katzev

Boramir

Caroline Yates

Charlie

Clint Nangle

Clipart

Doris Ann Samples

Dreamer

Ernest Preston Chandler

Ferd

George

Heterno

Ida Tibbetts

Jazz

Jennifer Richards Ingalls

Jerry Karsky

Jude

Judy Speaks

Kathy Jo Krupa

Katie

Kendal Curry Ray

Legacy’s Conquistador Del Sol

Leslie Nyquist

Marcin Klinkiewicz

Mary Elyse Gooding

Milton Louis McGuire

Morgen

Natalie-Claire Woods Lyda

Reeses

Rhoda

Rick Warner

Robb Pilkington

Robert I. Schiff

Romeo

Rosie

Roy E. Ogren, Jr.

Rusty

Samantha Marie “Sam” Calzone

Spirit

Stacey Andrews

Star

Sue Martindale

Tesoro

Vicente "Churruco" Portaro

William

William Ernest Walker Jr.

Join Our Horse Whisperers!

Ways to Give

The EQUUS Foundation spends significant time evaluating grant and scholarship applications to insure that your donation will make a real difference. All grant and scholarship recipients must meet the Foundation's eligibility requirements and grant making guidelines.

Unrestricted

An Unrestricted donation is one that may be used to provide financial support to any of the grant or scholarship recipients deemed worthy of award by the Board of Directors of the EQUUS Foundation.

Field-of-Interest

Field-of-interest donations are ones where the donors may designate a particular area of charitable interest for the award of a grant, such as programs focused on improving the quality of life of horses, or programs providing opportunities for horses to impact people's lives, especially people with special needs. We will work with you to define your specific interest.