2023 Divertimentos & Dressage
Wellington, FL

Photos by Joanna Jodko and Richard Malmgrem

Brooke USA Celebrates The Success of Divertimentos & Dressage

A One-of-a-Kind Event of Live Music and Freestyle Dressage

Brooke USA Foundation (Brooke USA) celebrated a milestone this Winter season with the successful debut of its new signature event in Wellington, FL. Divertimentos & Dressage, presented by Lugano Diamonds, a freestyle dressage performance by Grand Prix riders to the live music of the Palm Beach Symphony, was well-received by passionate equestrians and classical music aficionados.

Divertimentos & Dressage set a national benchmark in advancing the nonprofit organization’s mission and raised over $80,000 toward programs across the developing world and right here in the United States. The Brooke USA-volunteer created event aligns Brooke USA with the equestrian community by entertaining and engaging supporters, while raising funds to alleviate the suffering of working horses, donkeys and mules, and the people they serve in vulnerable communities worldwide.

Held at Vinceremos Therapeutic Horsemanship Center and catered by Maxwell Plum, Divertimentos & Dressage attracted the participation of leading riders and their Grand Prix horses, including Todd Flettrich, Rebecca Hart, Sahar Daniel Hirosh, Allison Kavey, Jim Koford, and JJ Tate. Brooke USA Ambassador JJ Tate also rode in the first Divertimentos & Dressage held in The Foothills of the Carolinas, where the event was developed by Brooke USA Board member and professional flutist Sally Frick back in 2019. “Thanks to Sally’s passion for both horses and the symphony, we created something very special that our supporters now look forward to year after year,” stated Emily Dulin, Chief Executive Officer of Brooke USA.

Throughout the performance, the audience was captivated by an orchestral repertoire that included works by Beethoven, Brahms, Holts, Mozart, Sousa, and Strauss II. Brooke USA Ambassador and Paralympian Rebecca Hart closed the evening with a standing ovation as she performed to the music of John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes.

“It certainly takes a village to put on a show of this caliber,” explained Kendall Bierer, Donor Relations Officer who served as Brooke USA’s staff liaison to the Organizing Committee. Chaired by Margaret Duprey and Selma Garber. The committee was comprised by Jane Cleveland, Marcia Kulak, Kerensa Muller, Leslie Munsell, Candace “Candy” Platz, Kasey Perry-Glass, and Weatherly Stroh. “We also included Brooke USA Ambassadors Allison Brock and Kasey Perry Glass, and long-time supporter Kerensa Muller in presenting the riders, the horses and the musical pieces, adding a special touch to an already fabulous affair,” added Bierer.

In addition to Wellington, Brooke USA will host Divertimentos & Dressage in Tryon, NC at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, on Thursday, October 19 and plans to add a new market each year to its tour of musical events. For more information on Tryon event or other upcoming events in Aiken, SC; Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX; Lexington, KY; Northern California and Southern Pines, SC, contact Kim Shipp at Kim.Shipp@BrookeUSA.org.