EQUUS Foundation

Record Numbers in 2013 for Ariat Champions!

WESTPORT, CT - January 16, 2014 - The EQUUS Foundation Champions program sponsored by Ariat International closed out 2013 with nearly 300 individuals achieving Champion status. The program was established in 2012 to stimulate and reward volunteerism on behalf of horses.

"We are thrilled with the success of the program, now just one year old. We are deeply grateful to Ariat International for its commitment to horse welfare and its sponsorship of this wonderful rewards program", said Jenny Belknap Kees, EQUUS Foundation Chairman.

Inspired by the thousands of volunteers who volunteer for the more than 800 organizations on the Foundation's Equine Welfare Network, Ariat organized a volunteer team to assist charities in the San Francisco Bay area near its corporate headquarters.


Above: Ariat Volunteer Team at Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center in Orinda.

Above: Ariat volunteers hard at work at Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Petaluma.

Right: Carl Riggs with his new Ariat English boots, Smokey (the horse) with Gabby (the rider) and Sanna Roling with her new Ariat Western Boots of Dream Catcher Stables based in Spring, Texas.

Thanks to Ariat, the EQUUS Foundation was able to award $10,000 in scholarships to its Champions in 2013.

Thanks also to Ariat, the EQUUS Foundation offers a Win A Grant for your Favorite Charity. Individuals who achieve Champion status are eligible for a drawing where the winner may select a charity on the network to receive an EQUUS Foundation grant.

For 2013, the First Place Ariat International $2,500 Grant was awarded to Ride On St. Louis, based in Kimmswick, Missouri in recognition of volunteer Kati Bishop. Volunteer Christine Sicard selected Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR) based in Lenoir, Texas to receive the Second Place grant and Chasing Rainbows, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, received the Third Place grant thanks to volunteer Kate Aughenbach.

Ariat International also donated 20 $250 Gift Certificates for Ariat Boots. Five Champions are selected quarterly by random draw. Winners included Patti Andersen, Hannah Anderson, Jill Davis, Jeffrey Grossman, Jenny Hyde, Mara Johnson, Danielle Kimmel, Debra Lopez, Laura Melton, Ellen Pennine, Debra Randolph, Carl Rigg, Sanna Roling, Mark Ruprecht, and Bonnie Smiley Wells. The 4th Quarter winners will be announced later this month.

Let's Hear It for the 2013 Champions!

Madison Aguilar
Angel Aldridge
Patti Andersen
Hannah Anderson
Mimi Anderson
Katrice Angier
Kate Aughenbaugh
Hallie Austin
Laurie Baan
Emily Baker
Elaine Ballengee
Leo Bangura
Kathryn Barber
Bobbie Barton
Christina Baxter
Mackenzie Bell
Christie Bell
Briana Bennett
Nancy Bidlack
Courtney Bien
Lisa Binegar
Diane Bird
Barbara Bixler
Kristen Blackburn
Shannon Blaney
Shannon Blaney
Amber Bliss
Riley Bonis
Ann Borlo
Jessica Boyd
Diane Boyd
Donna Brandt
Simone Brodsky
Jennifer Brown
Elsa Burrowes
Allyson Buttman
Susan Cairy
Linda Carney
Theodora Carter
Shelby Cashman
Rosie Cassell
Katina Catron
Connor Chaffin- Farley
Brad Champigny
Michael Church
Christina Church
Glenna Clark
Kimberly Clark
Linda Clements
Madeleine Colonna
Erin Comiskey
Jacqueline Cone
Camila Conesa
Lindsey Coughlin
Molly Coulter
Kayla Crooks
Shannon Cubley
Jessica Dailey
Jill Davis
Kate Davis
Jackie Dean
Malory Dean
Amy DeAngelo
Eileen Debarge-Davis
Rebekah Decker
Donnalyn DelMedico
Bud DeWees
Jennifer Dickson
Kimberly Dickson
Diane Dickson
Andrea Dietrich
Holly Drougas
Nancy Duncalfe
Miriam Dupree
Stefanie Eilders
Dorothy Ellingsen
William Emery
Cynthia Evans
Kira Everhart-Valentin
Joe Fanelli
Susie Fasanaro
Cassiel Fawcett
Sabrina Filipek Don
Deeanna Fleener
Maria Fogarty
Julia French
Laura Fryer
Melissa Furlong
Adriana Ganz
Frances Garrett
Laura Gatch
Carol Gengler
Jenna George
Allison George
Diana Geosano
Christina Gerber
Lori Giaquinto
Daphane Gibbens
Deborah Gibbens
Amy Gibson
Gail Gleeson
Janet Goodfellow
Deb Goodpaster
Carol Granly
Kathy Gray
Robin Gregory
Jeffrey Grossman
Sandra Haase
Sandra Haddenham
Nicole Harland
Christy Heffner
Julia Hill
Heather Hipp
Alicia Hoffman
Debbie Holmes
Staci Holtz
Kathee Honnold
Candace Houston
Maggie Howard
Jennifer Humphrey
Elizabeth Humphrey
Christine Hunter
Jenny Hyde
Victoria Isaacson
Kathryn Jackson
Katie Jacobson
Emily Jakubac
Tessa James
Sophie James
Tiffany Jenkins
Mara Johnson
Ginger Jones
Nevie Kaan
Jennifer Kempner
Donna Kerwick
Brianna Ketelaar
Steven Kien
Danielle Kimmel
Judith Kirby
Megan Kok
Suzanne Kopico
Ben Kuchel
Donna Kye
Jacob LaBarbera
Samantha Laham
Sheila Lane
Amanda Leithead
Claire Leopold
Suzanne Leskovar
Amanda Grace Lineberg
Brianna Lineberry
Brianne Link
Debra Lopez
Leslie Lords
Deanna Mancuso
Bailey Mapes
Tabbetha Marron
Laura Martin
Joyce Martorelli
Rachel Masen
Alyse Masker
Cameron Masker
Taylor Masters
Jenny Matte
Tracy Mayfield
Steve Mazeau
Kathryn McClelland
Teresa McCombs
Rosemary McCoy
Katie McCully
Elaine McGivern
Nicole McGovern
Christine McKee
Lee McKee
Liam McLane
Susanne McMahon
Roxann McNaughton
Conner McNeil
Laura Melton
Jessica Meyer
Marilyn Middleborn
Ivana Miletic
Alexandra Miller
Marilyn Miller
Kendall Miller
Crystal Mitchell
Lorlee Mizell
Patricia Modica
Jolene Moreland
Barbara Morris
Cathie Morton
Sally Moyer
Lisa Murray
Alex Murray
Denise Nelson
Sheila North
Erin Nougaret
Susan Nowak
Andrea OBryan
Donna Oliver
Susan Paciolla
Diana Paulus
Ellen Pennine
Opal Persha
Ron Petersen
Alexa Peterson
Margo Peterson
Kyra Petty
Lisa Phifer
Dorothy Pisha
Barb Pollihan
Madison Pollihan
Linda Potts
Kelley Prasad
Delaney Prevost
Veronica Rachael
Doris Rafaeli
Debra Randolph
Taylor Ray
Lunden Remey
Ryan Richard
Joseph Richard
Kristy Ricketts
Carl Rigg
Damory Rives
Victoria Roberts
Megan Robinson
Amelia Rogus
Sanna Roling
Sami Rose
Gracie Royle
Sarah Rubin
Debra Ruggerie
Mark Ruprecht
Mary Rush
Mackenzie Russ
Colleen Russell
Lauren Sadowski
Diane Sampson
Jane Scacciaferro
Cathy Schmidt
Karen Schrader
Cindy Sciard
Alissa Scinto
Bonnie Shuey
Deborah Sibner
Claire Siebols
Skye Simpson
Debbie Smith
Mary Ann Smith
Vicki Smith
Margaret E Smith
Jackie Snodgrass
Allie Sowden
Edward Spikoski
Casey Stein
Patricia Stone
Nancy Stout
Christina Stutz
Madison Szatkowski
Katelyn Szatkowski
Alex Tapia
Jan Tewel
Kathleen Thome
Shauna Thompson
Serena Thorne
Kindra Thurman
Lori Tkaczyk
Sharon Torrenti
David Triebel
Sarah Trobaugh
Jessica Vann
Fred Vogell
Mary Wagner
Kimberly Wahl
Kathleen Warrington
Sharon Weaver
Stacy Weenick
Julianne Weiss
Bonnie Smiley Wells
William D. Wells
Judy West
John West
Alison Wheatley
Gary Whipkey
Rene Whitesell
Gayle Wilbert-Paoletti
Elizabeth Willet
Richard Williams
Kaitlyn Williams
Dorothy Wolfgang
Patty Wright
Sharon Yamakawa
Donald Yanaitis
Eden Yanaitis
Alina Youngken
Pauline Zager



















Learn more about the Ariat International Champions program at https://equusfoundation.org/champions.

About EQUUS Foundation

The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, also known as Horse Charities of America, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses, enabling the therapeutic use of horses for those in need, fostering the horse-human bond, and educating the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal. 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: mail@equusfoundation.org, Website: equusfoundation.org.

About Ariat International

Ariat International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of innovative performance equestrian footwear, apparel and belts. Featuring a patented technology designed to deliver stability, durability and comfort, Ariat pioneered the application of advanced athletic shoe technology into English riding boots and authentic Western boots. Ariat products are sold in a network of retail outlets throughout the world. For more information about Ariat products or for the Ariat retailer nearest you, contact Ariat at 800.899.8141 or visit www.ariat.com.