EQUUS Foundation Horse Whisperers



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

2025

Apache

Care Magic

Danny

Donald R. Spence

Dublin

Finley

Rene Carriere

Ruth DeVore

Sherry Lynn Moore

Sherry Waldrop

Tacori

Winnie


2024

Allie Blue

Annette Nicholson

Arthur Gutierrez

Barney

Betty Bullock

Betty Jean Schneider

Calvin Galliano

Carol A. Hendrix

Carol A. Wesson

Carol Enos

Carole Jean Smith

Carolyn White

Chahara

Charlie

Chris

Christine Nantell

Cindy Bruns

Classy

Crystal Diane Nobis

Cynthia Lynn Murray Buhr Hoopes

D.J. Of Amen Corner

Dakota

David Malatesta

Dillon

Donald Savino Jr.

Donna Rodoni

Dorothy Kesten

Eddie

Elizabeth Pingarron Haller

Emma Beth Pincus Hartman

Ervin Eustace

Ethel Phares

Etta

Fansie M. Connelly

Farrester Dillman

First Love aka Ruby

Fudge

Harry Mantynen

Helen E. Schaars

Holly Van Valkenburgh Beiter

Jacqualine Borowiak

James Dennis Huffman

Janice Fleckenstein

Jean Ellen Luczak

Jennifer L. Knott

Jimmy

Joann Holland

John D. Costanza

John Duane

John Fargnoli

John Frederik Grube

John Mayo Brown

Judy Coates

Julia Szado Blowers

June Isono

Kandace Bender

Katahdin

Kathryn Ann Harris-Radelt

Kathy Hochstatter

Keith Meehan

Kenneth J. Abbey

Kenny Baldwin

Kharma

Kimberly Darice Coello

Koda

Krista Dawn Colby

Lady

Lee Ramsey

Leo

Leroy Jefferson

Leslie Bernstein Bennett

Lewis J. Fenstermaker

Lisa Weatherbee

Lois Sullenberger

Lynn Brewer

Lynn Buckley

Magic

Mallory

Marguerite Brennan

Maribelle Garris MacAlpin

Mary Duryea

Monty Merrell

Moose

Nick

Pamela Jaffe

Pat Oriole

Patricia Criel

Paul Webb Long Jr.

Pebbles, Beloved Trail Boss

Phoebe Ann Brunholzl

Phyllis Kibbee

Prima

Rajah

Ralph Pape

Richard Frodsham

Robert J. Raggi

Robin McKernan

Romeo

Roslyn Roffey

Ruby

Sandra M. Wiggins and Patricia Auvenshine

Savannah

Scott Hartz

Shadow

Stacey Andrews

Starr Goobie

Steve Schwartz

Susan

Susan R. Mills

Takako Reynolds

Terise DuRivage

Theo

Thomas Earl Kurth

Tony Latona

Trinket

Uno

Veturia

William Schaefer


Horse Whisperers

Making a lasting difference in the lives of people and horses


The EQUUS Foundation presents Horse Whisperer Awards to deserving charities in the name of individuals and organizations that have an extraordinary kinship with horses and have provided substantial financial resources to ensure that America's horses are safe and live with dignity throughout their lives. Horse Whisperer awards may be named in honor of a family member, friend, associate, or in the memory of a loved one or a loved equine companion.

The recipients of Horse Whisperer Awards are selected by the Board of Directors from among EQUUS Foundation grant recipients that best align with the interests of the Horse Whisperers, including those equine charities with which the Horse Whisperer may be familiar. The awards bring added recognition to equine charities operating at the highest standards for business and equine welfare practices.

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.
2024 Recipient: High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., 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.
2024 Recipient: Colorado Horse Rescue, Longmont, CO

Barbara Dailey Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2024 by the EQUUS Foundation in memory of Barbara Dailey and in recognition of her life-long appreciation of the love, joy and companionship she shared with horses.
2024 Recipient: Rising Starr Horse Rescue, Wilton, CT

Lafitte De Muze Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2018 by Cheryl Olsten in the name of her horse, Lafitte De Muze, to protect and make a difference in the lives of horses who are in need of next chapters, with specific emphasis on the re-homing and retirement of Standardbreds.
2024 Recipient: Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Lisbon, MD

McLain Ward Honorary Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2023 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of McLain Ward's selection as the inaugural recipient of the EQUUS Foundation Spirit Award presented to an equestrian who has significantly elevated the image and desirability of horses.
2024 Recipient: Green Chimneys, Brewster, NY





ANNUAL AWARDS
Augusta Mills Equestrian - Matt Metell Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 by the EQUUS Foundation in recognition of the dedication of Augusta Mills Equestrian and Matt Metell to the welfare of horses.
2024 Recipient: Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, Lexington, KY

Marguerite Brennan Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 by the EQUUS Foundation in memory of Marguerite Brennan and in honor of her loving family, Jane Henderson, her daughter, and Michaela & Sean Pritchett, her grandchildren.
2024 Recipient: Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue, Inc., Dover Plains, NY

John Mayo Brown Memorial Horse Whisperer Award
Established by the EQUUS Foundation to be awarded in 2024 in memory of John Mayo Brown to be awarded to an equine charity that provides safety net services to owners facing hardships and are in need of assistance.
2024 Recipient: Save a Forgotten Equine, Redmond, WA

The Gumbo Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established by the EQUUS Foundation to be awarded in 2025 in appreciation of the dedication of The Gumbo Foundation to protect America's horses from peril and strengthen the horse-human bond.

Jackson Family Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of the Jackson Family's commitment to horse welfare.
2024 Recipient: Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc., Lovettsville, VA, and Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education Center, Aldie, VA

Kay Family Foundation Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of Lauren Kay and the Kay Family Foundation.
2024 Recipient: Brook Hill Farm, Forest, VA, and Maryland Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Crownsville, MD

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.
2024 Recipient: Thorncroft Equestrian Center, Malvern, PA

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.

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 and in honor of Margie and Dick Bondy.
2024 Recipient: Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding, Inc., Johns Island, SC, and Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc., Mount Kisco, NY

Ellen R. Pearl Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2021 by Ellen R. Pearl to be awarded annually through 2025 to an equine rescue that ensures the respect, dignity and comfort of their rescued equines throughout their lives.
2024 Recipient: Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, South Windham, ME

Split Rock Show Jumping Tour/Bobbie & Derek Braun Horse Whisperer Award
Established in 2020 by the EQUUS Foundation in honor of the dedication of the Braun Family and Split Rock Farm to powerful impact of horses in our lives.
2024 Recipient: Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, Inc. (CKRH), Lexington, KY


Join Us an A Horse Whisperer!
Contact us at mail@equusfoundation.org for more information.

A Great Way to Give
Establishing an EQUUS Foundation Horse Whisperer Award is a meaningful way a donor wishing to make a substantial contribution to the EQUUS Foundation may be recognized.

Donors may establish an Unrestricted or Field-of-Interest Award. Field-of-interest awards are thoese where the donor designates a particular area of charitable interest for the award, 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.