Brooke USA's Divertimentos & Dressage: An Evening of Riding and Music

The Last of the Paint Wellington Orange Event Trifecta

Brooke USA Foundation is thrilled to announce its final event of the season, Divertimentos & Dressage, on March 21 in Wellington, FL. Divertimentos & Dressage presented by Lugano Diamonds is a one-of-a-kind showcase by dressage riders performing with their Grand Prix horses to South Florida’s premier Palm Beach Symphony led by conductor Kyle Elgarten. Tickets are now available at BrookeUSAEvents.org.

Co-Chairs Jennifer Burger, Selma Garber and Candace Platz have been diligently planning the second edition of the event with their outstanding committee of Wellington residents and Brooke USA supporters. Divertimentos & Dressage promises to be an unforgettable evening.

The dressage musical freestyle will feature champion riders including: JJ Tate—U.S. Dressage Federation (USDF) bronze, silver and gold medalist and Brooke USA Ambassador; Allison Kavey—International Grand Prix Competitor; Todd Flettrich—veteran competitor, Olympic contender, and trainer at the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) levels; Rebecca Hart—two-time Paralympian and seven-time United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) National Champion; Sahar Daniel Hirosh—International Grand Prix rider and competitor; and Kerensa Muller—Internationally renowned rider and trainer—with daughter Klendy will perform a special Pas de Deux.

Guests can indulge in a delightful array of hors d'oeuvres during the Cocktail Hour, sponsored by Margaret H. Duprey and Cherry Knoll Farm and catered by Meat N’ Bone and Get the Cook, ensuring a culinary experience that complements the sophistication of the event, while sipping on drinks from the open bar generously provided by Star Wine & Spirits. The evening will be further enhanced by the mesmerizing freestyle dressage performances, before concluding with dessert & coffee graciously sponsored by Selma Garber.

“Building on the success of Brooke USA’s previous events, Ponies & Pearls, and the Sunset Watering Hole, we are proud to share that these gatherings raised over $110,000, a testament to the generosity and commitment of our supporters. These funds contribute significantly to the organization's mission of alleviating the suffering of working equines around the world,” said Kendall Bierer, Donor Relations Officer.

Photos by Khanna House Studios.

Despite the challenges posed by inclement weather, Brooke USA's Ponies & Pearls presented by The Tucker Foundation & Mrs. Gillian Johnston and originally planned to coincide with the U.S. Open Women's Championship finals, proved to be an extraordinary success. The event showcased the resilience and commitment of the equestrian community and supporters of Brooke USA amid a deluge that caused the championship game to be rescheduled.

Photos by Khanna House Studios.

The following evening, Brooke USA celebrated a night of philanthropy and entertainment at the Sunset Watering Hole presented by The Garcia Companies. Led by Co-Chairs Morgan Measey and Robert Reyers, alongside the Brooke USA Young Professionals Committee, the event raised funds to support Brooke USA’s funded work in Ethiopia, stocking medical supplies for rural vet clinics.

Brooke USA extends heartfelt gratitude to its sponsors, whose support is instrumental in making these events possible. Special thanks to The Garcia Companies, The Tucker Foundation & Mrs. Gillian Johnston, Mrs. Margaret H. Duprey & Cherry Knoll Farm, Valley Bank, Shutts & Bowen Attorneys at Law, Bainbridge Companies, Signature Foot & Ankle, OnCourse Consignment, Khanna House Studios, NonProfit Nest, Vanner House, Eye Candy, Equestrian Sotheby’s, Tito’s Vodka, Star Wine & Spirits, Professional Art Services Group, Enviro Equine, Hawaii Fluid Art and Picture That 360. Their commitment to the organization's mission helps bring about positive change for working equines and the communities that rely on them.

Tickets for Divertimentos & Dressage are available at www.brookeusaevents.org. Attendees can secure their places for this elegant affair, knowing that their participation directly contributes to improving the lives of working equines globally.

We are delighted to share positive progress both here in the United States and abroad with this good news to kick start your month of March!

EJIAO ACT OF 2023

We have been working tirelessly to ban the sale and importation of Ejiao in the United States through legislation. Ejiao is the gelatin made from donkey hides and used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Rep. Donald Beyer Jr (D-VA) reintroduced the Ejiao Act of 2023, now called HR-6021, in the fall of 2023.  Our team spent a weekend in Washington, DC lobbying for legislative support and we have now secured Brian Fitzpatrick (R, PA) as co-sponsor.

The Ejiao Act of 2023 is more robust than its previous version.  You can read the text of the bill here.

The United States is the 3rd largest importer of ejiao products, so it is critical that we continue to press for the ban.  Read more information about our campaign here: Brooke USA advocacy and take action below.

A WIN FOR DONKEYS!

In February, the African Union voted to ban the donkey hide trade after years of tireless lobbying by our sister organization Brooke: Action for Working Horses & Donkeys. This signals the end to the legal slaughter of hundreds of thousands of donkeys within the continent. We are relieved that this cruel and devastating practice to harvest donkey hides for the creation of ejiao, has been banned – an incredible accomplishment.

While these are positive steps in the right direction, we need to be prepared that underground slaughterhouses will arise, and the trade is likely to be moved to countries in Central and South America where it already exists on a smaller scale.

TAKE ACTION TO BAN THE TRADE OF EJIAO IN THE UNITED STATES

Your donations and spreading awareness about the terrible practice of the donkey hide trade are truly making a difference.  Please contact your elected officials and write editorials to your local media to show you care about this issue. 

Help us spread the word on social media!

Brooke USA Launches Emergency Campaign in Support of Horses Affected by Texas Panhandle Wildfires

Hay, Feed, Fencing Materials and Veterinary Supplies Desperately Needed

The largest wildfire in Texas history has devastated the state’s agricultural industry, destroying more than 1 million acres of land in the Panhandle, killing thousands of livestock, burning crops and damaging infrastructure. Over 85% of the state’s cattle population is located on ranches in the Panhandle, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. Horses are also among those animals affected as they are essential to cattle ranching and agriculture, two big contributors to the state’s economy.

“Texas is recognized by everyone as horse country and horses are part of the state’s economic fabric. They make truly great contributions to the livelihood and well-being of people. These animals play an essential role in the management of livestock. Without them, a rancher's job is extremely challenging,” explained Dwayne Hildreth, Chair of Brooke USA’s Dallas/Ft. Worth Regional Advisory Council, and a member of the organization’s Board of Directors.

Brooke USA joins the Foundation for the Horse, the charitable arm of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), in its efforts to provide prompt aid to horses in need of assistance. To help their efforts, Brooke USA has activated its Disaster Relief Fund and launched the Texas Panhandle Emergency Campaign with 100% of the monies raised allocated to these efforts.  

Brooke USA is calling upon its donors and friends to help both people and horses across the Texas Panhandle. “Our Brooke family of supporters are known for their generosity. This is certainly a situation where we can come together and help as these fires have threatened the livelihoods of people and lives of horses and other livestock,” added Hildreth.

Restoring livelihoods for the most vulnerable disaster survivors – both human and animal – is at the heart of Brooke USA’s mission. Long-term care of these displaced equines will be the most pressing need, and hay and feed are paramount to support the equines whose owners have lost everything. “Our goal is to repair and rebuild communities by providing funds to support disaster recovery efforts. Catastrophic natural episodes such as these wildfires can have devastating effects on horses as well as humans. Delivering relief during and after a disaster not only sustains life, but also gives hope for the future and provides for potential full economic recovery” explained Emily Dulin, CEO of Brooke USA.

In the past, Brooke USA has partnered with organizations working on the ground and supporting the needs of equines and their owners – whether it was during the floods in Pakistan, the earthquake in Morocco, Hurricane Ian in Florida, or the wildfires in California.

To donate to Brooke USA Foundation’s Texas Panhandle Emergency Campaign, please visit www.brookeusa.org/texas.

We need your support more than ever.

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