Brooke USA Foundation (Brooke USA) returned to the winter equestrian capital of the world with its signature event trifecta in Wellington, Florida. Paint Wellington Orange event series developed to help improve the plight of working equines, Brooke USA’s signature events drew record crowds among established and up-and coming equestrians attending Divertimentos & Dressage, Ponies & Pearls, and the Sunset Watering Hole.
Young Kenyan boy with family's donkey foal.
Brooke USA is committed to reducing poverty, increasing food security, ensuring access to water, providing a means to education, and raising standards of living through improved equine health and welfare.
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The non-profit organization surpassed its fundraising goal with $225,000 raised for a variety of projects supporting working horses, donkeys and mules, and the people they serve across the globe, including the U.S.
Emily Dulin, CEO of Brooke USA, shares, “Thank you to the Wellington community and those that visit from abroad for embracing Brooke USA and the work we do right here in the U.S. and across the globe. Every single event guest has made an unimaginable impact on the welfare of working equines, and the families that rely on horses, donkeys, and mules for their daily survival. These beloved animals play a critical role as a resource in providing food, clean water, and shelter in underprivileged communities and together we can improve outcomes.”
Adds Kendall Bierer, Brooke USA’s Donor Relations Officer, “These unique events all came together thanks to our generous sponsors and donors, and the brilliant work by our Planning and Host Committees. It is so fulfilling to unify under our love for equines, while creating a platform for nationally recognized and local companies to showcase their products and services for a common cause. It is my unique pleasure to liaise with our partners and the local community as we continue to build programs in my hometown of Wellington.
Divertimentos & Dressage video
Crowning Brooke USA’s ‘Paint Wellington Orange’ event trifecta was the 2nd annual spectacular showcase, Divertimentos & Dressage Presented by Lugano Diamonds held on March 21st at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. The dressage musical freestyle to a live orchestra performed by the Palm Beach Symphony welcomed back dressage riders JJ Tate, Allison Kavey, and Sahar Daniel Hirosh. Also joining the extraordinary performances by grand prix horses and their riders was new presenter, Cynthia Screnci, as well as a special Pas de Deux performed by Kerensa and Klendy Muller.
Conceptualized by flutist, equestrian, and Brooke USA Board Member Sally Frick, Event Chair Jennifer Burger and Candace Platz led the way as co-chairs along with inaugural chair Selma Garber for the inimitable event which included a cocktail reception, silent and travel auctions, a live auction featuring an Albion dressage saddle, along with Palm Beach Symphony musicians, including musical director and conductor Kyle Elgarten. A portion of the proceeds from this event benefited the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, providing therapeutic experiences with horses for individuals with special needs.
Brooke USA held Wellington’s 2nd annual Ponies & Pearls – A Women’s Empowerment Event Presented by The Tucker Foundation & Mrs. Gillian Johnston on February 18. The enriching and lively event honored the accomplishments of women and the legacy of Dorothy Brooke, founder of the Brooke family of charities. Making its second appearance at the National Polo Center’s Pavilion, the VIP Sunday Brunch celebrated women on both the American polo fields and the working fields in the most vulnerable communities across the globe.
Conceptualized by Brooke USA Board Member Katie Roth, Event Chairs Gill Johnston and Aimee Waters welcomed guests to an afternoon reminiscent of polo elegance, adorned with pearls and touches of orange, a competition for the most memorable and creative hat, and silent and travel auctions. Those present enjoyed bubbly and fare while raising funds dedicated to programs targeting women as the main equine caregivers across global projects.
Held on the President’s Day holiday February 19, the energetic affair Sunset Watering Hole Presented by The Garcia Companies, hosted young professionals and riders while offering the ideal venue and atmosphere for relaxation on their Monday afternoon and evening day of rest. Held at the National Polo Center, crowds of riders and their friends enjoyed a fun-filled evening of poolside activities, music and entertainment with DJ Adam Lipson, cirque entertainment, and silent auction and travel auction.
Sunset Watering Hole was brought to Wellington thanks to the extraordinary Brooke USA Young Professionals Committee co-chaired by Morgan Measey and Robert Reyers. This event will help thousands of people and equines in Ethiopia. Funds raised will stock veterinary medicines and other supplies to rural health posts for equines, providing access to convenient and prompt care.
To learn about Brooke USA past and future events and initiatives, please visit, www.brookeusaevents.org and join our social channels Facebook@BrookeUSAonline, Instagram@brooke_usa, LinkedIn@brooke-usa.
ABOUT BROOKE USA FOUNDATION
The mission of Brooke USA is to significantly improve the health, welfare and productivity of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people who depend on them for survival worldwide. We are committed to sustainable economic development by reducing poverty, increasing food security, ensuring access to water, providing a means to education, and raising basic standards of living through improved equine health and welfare. We accomplish this by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need.
Brooke USA strives to alleviate the suffering and vulnerability of developing communities by funding and implementing programs that improve the quality of life and health of working equines and thereby positively impacting their economic sustainability, protecting the planet, ensuring gender equality, and guaranteeing life on land resilience. We want to see healthy, happy people and equines that work in partnership to achieve sustainable local economies. www.BrookeUSA.org.
Press release by Emily Dulin