Del Mar, CA – May 10, 2012 – On May 4, 2012, the United States Equestrian Team Foundation hosted a benefit in support of the United States Equestrian Olympic Team at the Del Mar National Horse Show. The event helped raise over $30,000 in support of the Olympic and Paralympic efforts. Two hundred guests attended the exciting event, which featured margaritas, fiesta food, music and a live auction at Barn W of the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Robin Parsky, USET Foundation Trustee and Co-Chair of the Development Committee, chaired the event with her husband Gerry Parsky. She kicked off the festivities by welcoming guests and thanking the Committee, and then went on to recognize Rich Fellers for his recent victory at the 2012 FEI Rolex Show Jumping World Cup Finals with Mollie and Harry Chapman’s Flexible. She presented Fellers and the Chapmans with a custom designed poster displaying photos from that most memorable day in The Netherlands.
The live auction got underway next with Gerry Parsky acting as auctioneer and leading the bidding was Roxanna Foxx as the generous bidder and winner of the signed Rich Fellers and Flexible poster. 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Will Simpson donated two clinics which included Will cooking dinner for the clinic participants. One was purchased by Linda Starkman and the other by Patti Brutten. Jami Heidegger was also thick in the bidding, taking home a case of wine, donated by Linda Starkman and Cathy Colmar, and a beautiful Olympic pin adorned in diamonds and other precious gems, donated by Janet Foy, perfect for the 2012 London Olympics.
Robin Parsky commented, “As most of you know, the role of the USET Foundation is to help support this country’s High Performance programs. I am proud to say that this year, the USET Foundation will be providing $2.8 million in funding to the USEF for these programs, which includes the Olympic and Paralympic Games. This support is only possible through the generosity of all the wonderful people that make the USET Foundation an important part of their charitable giving each year. Thank You!”
In addition to the Parskys, the organizing committee included Pam and Bob Buie, Cathy and Dave Colmar, Signe Ostby and Scott Cook, Penny and Jim Coulter, George and Kelly Davis, Gail Gregson, Pat and Michael Hayward, Jami and Klaus Heidegger, Sarah and Jon Kelly, Shari and Herb Lurie, Gwendolyn and Jay Meyer, George H. Morris, Linda Starkman and Pam Theodosakis.
The night’s event was a wonderful success, and guests enjoyed showing their support of our United States Equestrian Teams as they aim for the 2012 London Olympics beginning in July.
The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is a non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance athletes and horses in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.
For more information about the USET Foundation or to make a donation, please call (908) 234-1251 or visit the USET Foundation website at www.uset.org. .
Photo Credit: Mollie Chapman, Rich Fellers, Shelly Fellers, Harry Chapman and Robin Parsky. Photo By: Esteban Villanueva. Photo may only be used in relation to this PMG press release.
