Brooke USA Foundation returns to Wellington during the Winter Equestrian Season with three familiar and exciting events taking place between February and March.
Dorothy Brooke founder of Brooke USA feeding a horse.
Ponies and Pearls, Sunset Watering Hole, and Divertimentos and Dressage signature events 'Paint Wellington Orange' to help improve the plight of working equines returns during February and March.
© 2022 by Brooke USA New window.
Part of its yearly campaign, Paint Wellington Orange, now on its 7th year, the signature event series offers something for everyone, while raising funds for a variety of projects supporting working horses, donkeys and mules, and the people they serve across the globe, including the U.S. This year’s second annual event trifecta builds on a successful trajectory for Brooke USA reaching established, and up and coming, equestrians in Wellington.
Emily Dulin, CEO of Brooke USA, notes, “Wellington is such a special place for us as we kicked-off all new nationally recognized fundraisers here. Our events are designed to bring something new to our loyal supporters, while building new groups of friends with events that include a polo competition, pool party, dressage with live symphony, and more, all while expanding our reach to help more people and animals in need. Paint Wellington Orange was developed to bring awareness among the equestrian community of the plight of working horses, donkeys, and mules to help end their suffering through these unique fundraising programs and we are delighted with the collective response.”
The first event in the line-up is the enriching and lively Ponies & Pearls – A Women’s Empowerment Event Presented by The Tucker Foundation & Mrs. Gillian Johnston, and celebrating the accomplishments of women and the legacy of Dorothy Brooke, founder of the Brooke family of charities.
Making its second appearance in Wellington, Florida, on Sunday, February 18 in The Pavilion at the National Polo Center, the Sunday Brunch Polo VIP event is held during the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship Final. Event chairs, Gill Johnston and Aimee Waters are pleased with the support secured from sponsors, including Shutts & Bowen LLP, Valley Bank, and The Bainbridge Companies.
Individual tickets start at $275 with table sponsorships available with funds raised dedicated to programs targeting women as the main equine caregivers across global projects.
Reminiscent of polo elegance, Brooke USA is asking guests to wear polo chic and ladies are encouraged to wear a hat, pop of orange, and boast their pearls, while enjoying breathtaking views and rigorous competition. A hat contest with winners announced at the end of the afternoon and an exclusive silent auction and travel auction through charity partner AmFund will serve as fun activities for everyone to look forward to, including men.
Quickly becoming one of Wellington’s favorite events of the winter season, Ponies & Pearls was conceptualized by Brooke USA Board Member Katie Roth to celebrate women on both the American polo fields and the working fields in the most vulnerable communities. The customized event logo was graciously created by Heidi Caldwell Design of Newman, GA.
Next in the series is the energetic affair Sunset Watering Hole Presented by The Garcia Companies, on Monday, February 19 (President’s Day), designed for 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 will enjoy a fun-filled evening of pool and poolside activities, music and entertainment with DJ Adam Lipson, cirque entertainment and photo opportunities brought to the event by the generosity of Eye Candy, food and libations including signature drinks through Tito’s Vodka and Star Liquors, sponsored by the Bonavito Family, a silent auction and travel auction, and specialty sponsor items including sunglasses by Enviro Equine & Pet, a trunk show by Vanner House, and custom bracelets and charms by Kaela Genovese of La Enovese Designs.
Sunset Watering Hole is 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 this Winter Equestrian Season. Funds raised are committed to stocking veterinary medicines and other supplies to rural health posts for equines, providing access to convenient and prompt care.
Poolside Cabanas of eight, VIP Tables of six and four and general admission are available at $3,000, $1,200, $900 and $100 (until January 31), respectively. Cabanas include two bottles of wine, one bottle of spirits, beer and mixers with a designated server and additional VIP food and are the best buy for a group of friends wanting to party together.
Crowning the trifecta of Brooke USA’s Paint Wellington Orange events is the spectacular showcase Divertimentos & Dressage, a dressage musical freestyle to a live orchestra by the Palm Beach Symphony. Divertimentos & Dressage Presented by Lugano Diamonds will be held on Thursday, March 21 at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.
Spectators will be overwhelmed by the beauty of this event when horses, orchestra and guests literally share the arena. To date, Brooke USA Ambassadors JJ Tate and Rebecca Hart, along with Todd Flettrich and Allison Kavey are confirmed to ride, with a special pas de trois to be performed by Kerensa, Klendy and Kayden Muller. The final riders will be announced in the upcoming days.
Touted as the event of the season last year. Selma Garber returns as Event Chair and is joined by Jennifer Burger and Candace Platz as the event co-chairs. Divertimentos & Dressage, conceptualized by flutist, equestrian and Brooke USA Board Member Sally Frick, the inimitable event includes a cocktail reception, silent auction and travel auction, extraordinary performances by grand prix horses and their riders along with Palm Beach Symphony musicians, including musical director and conductor Kyle Elgarten, as well as a dessert and coffee hour post-performance, sponsored by Selma Garber.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. Podium level for 10, Grand Prix level for eight, Prix St. George level for six, VIP Tables of six, Concertmaster level for four, Conductor level for two, and individual tickets are available at $5,000, $2,500, $1,500, $1,000, $750, and $200, respectively.
Adds Kendall Bierer, Brooke USA’s Donor Relations Officer, “These events have taken a life of their own thanks to the brilliant work from our Planning and Host Committees. It is my unique pleasure to liaise with them as we continue to reimagine our initiatives in my hometown of Wellington.” To stay abreast of all event developments, visit Brooke USA’s social media channels @Facebook/brookeusaonline or on Instagram @ at Instagram/brooke_usa.
To learn about the events or to purchase tickets, tables or a sponsorship, please visit, https://www.brookeusa.org/events.
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.
Press release by Emily Dulin