Fundraiser to raise money, awareness of equine welfare in developing countries

As the summer series reaches its peak at the Tryon International Equestrian Center, the venue will embark on a mission to raise awareness and funds for Brooke USA through the “Buy a Donkey a Drink” campaign started this summer.

Cool off from the summer heat with Orangeade or orange snow cones provided by Brooke USA-themed pushcarts located around the facility. While enjoying the items available for purchase at the pushcarts, exhibitors and spectators will also be able to support Brooke USA while dining at TIEC. Two restaurants, Legends Grille, and the newest dining addition featuring Italian cuisine, Campagna, will offer special Moscow Mules and Orange Tea drink options. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Brooke USA and the “Buy a Donkey a Drink” campaign. For every $9 raised through the initiative a donkey or equine in drought-ridden Ethiopia will be provided with a lifetime water supply thanks in part to the generous support of the Brooke USA organization.

Tryon International Equestrian Center is a growing hotspot for equestrians around the world, hosting numerous international and national hunter/jumper circuits, as well as multi-discipline events throughout the year. Brooke USA board members Katherine Bellissimo and Jim Wolf are heavily involved with the operation and management of the facility, making it the perfect location to highlight the “Buy a Donkey a Drink” campaign.

Brooke USA is the American-based fundraising arm of the Brooke, the world’s largest international equine welfare charity, dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules in developing countries. For more than 80 years, the Brooke has been alleviating the suffering of equines that work in some of the poorest communities on earth.

The Brooke’s scientifically proven, practical and sustainable solutions to enormous equine welfare challenges actively improve the lives of equine animals and the people who depend on them across Africa, Asia and Central America. Last year alone, the Brooke reached 1.8 million equines, benefiting 10 million people in the developing world.

Soon, 13,500 working equines will have lifetime access to the water they so desperately need, thanks to the new project being funded this summer by Brooke USA donors. The “Buy a Donkey a Drink” campaign will raise support to construct five permanent water troughs in the Shala Woreda (district) of Ethiopia. These 50-foot-long concrete troughs will be located in very busy market areas where thousands of animals regularly gather. The troughs will allow as many as 340 horses, donkeys, and mules to quench their thirst with each filling, and will allow other livestock such as cattle and camels to receive lifesaving water as well.

The fundraising goal is $98,000 over the next three months, which will allow construction of the water troughs to begin at once and be completed in phases by the end of the year. To donate now, or to find out how you can help, please visit www.buyadonkeyadrink.org.

The pushcarts will make their debut during “Saturday Night Lights” featuring the $216,000 Tryon Estates Grand Prix CSI 4*. The pushcarts will continue to make appearances on the show grounds throughout the remainder of the summer, including the sold-out Pony Club Championships East, held from July 27- 31, and the Nutrena® American Eventing Championships presented by Land Rover, which will run Aug. 31 – Sept. 4.

To learn more about Brooke USA, please visit www.BrookeUSA.org. To buy a donkey a drink, please visit www.buyadonkeyadrink.org.

– article submitted

by TIEC