48/ APRIL 2023 THE RIDER


USET Foundation’s “Equestrians in Paris” West Coast Benefit Gala a Rousing Success


Del Mar, CA — The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation’s “Equestrians in Paris” benefit event raised $475,000 to support the U.S. equestrian teams competing at the upcoming 2024 summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, France. Held on Friday, March 22,


2024, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, California, “Eques- trians in Paris” was hosted by Josh Meyers and 2023 Miss Cal-


Funds raised from the event will support U.S. equestrian teams headed to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games “This evening was particu-


500 attendees and featured live equestrian performances, pre- sented by Halter Ego. “The event was a spectacu-


lar success, and I’m so humbled by all of our donors and support- ers for their role in helping our athletes achieve their Olympic and Paralympic dreams,” said Lisa Munro, Director of Devel- opment, USET Foundation. “The generosity of our community is crucial, especially in an Olympic and Paralympic year. Unlike in


larly special because we were able to celebrate our avid com- munity of West Coast-based sup- porters and equestrians,” Munro continued. “This community plays an integral role in further- ing the USET Foundation’s mis- sion, so I’m delighted with the outcome of ‘Equestrians in Paris’. It will bolster the support we can provide our athletes as we cheer them on at this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games.” In the highly anticipated


live auction, a month of residen- tial training with U.S. Dressage Chef d’Equipe Christine Traurig and U.S. Olympic silver medalist Sabine Schut-Kery in California attracted a bidding frenzy. The private jet roundtrip


flights donated to the silent auc- tion by Sky Partners were an- other hot item, with the company deciding to offer a second identi- cal lot on the spur of the moment to the live auction. There was also much interest in the private


dinner cooked by Guenter Seidel with wine served by Traurig. Guests were awed by spec-


tacular demonstrations from sev- eral top athletes including a quadrille performance by U.S. Olympic dressage medalists Sei- del, Steffen Peters, and Schut- Kery, as well as U.S. FEI Dressage World Equestrian Games bronze medalist Kathleen Raine and a liberty performance to the national anthem. The dres- sage riders brought with them a host of experience, in the shape of a dazzling 20 medals between them for the United States from Olympic Games, World Eques- trian Games, and Pan American Games. Olympic show jumping


team gold medalist Will Simpson also led a unique performance with his daughter and North American Youth Championships show jumping gold and bronze medalist Sophie Simpson- Leckie. Their performance was ridden in tandem to strains of Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the


From left to right: Brian Buffini, Beverly Buffini, Anna Buffini and Alysha Buffini. Photo by Raja Lahti McMahon


From left to right: Akiko Yamazaki, Dr. Rodrigo Vazquez and Michelle Reilly Photo by Raja Lahti McMahon


U.S.A.”. Honorary chairman Mark


USET Foundation Planning Committee from left to right: Sean Caddell, Lisa Munro, Laura Maloney, Katherine Annie Finch (not pictured: Patty Mayer and Francie Nilforushan). Photo by Kirsten Ziegler Photography


ifornia Sabrina Lewis, and bene- fit co-chairs Sean Caddell, Katherine Annie Finch, Laura Maloney, Patricia Mayer, and Francie Nilforushan, as well as several athlete host committee and benefit committee members. The event attracted more than


some other countries, U.S. eques- trian sport does not receive gov- ernment funding. As a result, our athletes rely solely on the support of US Equestrian (USEF) and funds raised from the USET Foundation. It’s truly a team ef- fort.


Wahlberg donated a VIP experi- ence at the premiere of one of his upcoming films. Other lots in- cluded an Olympic VIP package experience with gold level dres- sage hospitality passes and a pri- vate course walk and VIP tickets to the Defender Kentucky Three- Day Event, among others. “With Paris 2024 just


months away, the USET Founda- tion would like to emphasize our appreciation to our devoted donors and supporters who have contributed greatly to the thriving West Coast equestrian commu- nity,” concluded Munro. “In ad- dition to all of those in attendance, I want to express my sincere gratitude to our benefit chairmen and committee mem- bers, as well as our sponsors.


Thanks to the unparalleled col- lective effort, our U.S equestrian teams will have a very exciting and momentous year ahead.” For additional information


or to support the USET Founda- tion and the U.S. equestrian ath- letes headed to the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, visit https://www.uset.org/donate/.


About USET: The United States Eques-


trian Team Foundation is a non- profit organization that supports the competition, training, coach- ing, travel, and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation. Learn more at www.uset.org.


2023 Mid-Western Ontario Horsemen’s Society Scholarship Winners Each year Mid-Western


Ontario Horsemen’s Society awards scholarships to members 17 to 25 years of age. These scholarships are given to full and part-time students to assist with post secondary studies as well as trade and apprenticeship pro- grams. This year scholarship amounts were increased to $1500 for full-time students and $750 for part-time students. These funds are available thanks to the hard work of the original schol- arship committee and the gener- ous donations of the both the Lambton County Saddle Club and the Red Valley Saddle Club. For 2023, scholarships


were awarded to Julia Drury- Freer from Petrolia and Melanie Moossdorff from Thorndale. MWHS would like to congratu-


late this year’s scholarship award winners and wish them success in their future endeavors. Scholarship information is available on the Mid-


Western Ontario Horsemen’s Society website: www.midwesternhorsemanssociety.com/scholarship


Photo at Left: Julia Drury- Freer accepting her scholar- ship from MWHS Treasurer Shelley Thomson.


Photo at Right: Scholarship winner Melanie Mooss- dorff. Photocredit –Seafind Photography


MWHS Tenative 2024 Show Schedule June 8 & 9 - MWHS Spring Show at REACH Clinton July 6 & 7 - Summer Showdown at Brigden Fairgrounds August 10 & 11 - REACH Clinton September 14 - 2024 Seaforth Fall Fair September 21 - 2024 Forest Fall Fair September 22 - 2024 Stratford & District Fall Fair October 12 & 13 - 2024 Brigden Fall Fair


Visit the MWHS website for further information and updates. www.midwesternhorsemanssociety.com/


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