The 15th annual Great Charity Challenge raised more than $2 million on Feb. 3, in Wellington, Florida, setting a new fundraising record for the event, which brings together the equestrian community and supporters to help nonprofit organizations in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Thirty-four teams were costumed for the Saturday night feature class at the Winter Equestrian Festival, which took place in the International Ring of Wellington International for an event that combined show jumping and philanthropy. Each team was made up of three riders for the relay-style competition, including one professional and two junior or amateur riders. The first junior/amateur rider jumped over a seven-fence 1.10-meter course; the second junior/amateur over a 1.20-meter track, and the professional’s course was set at 1.30-meters. Riders put it all on the line that night, racing to bring funds to their randomly paired organizations.
This year’s theme, “Your favorite TV shows,” prompted exhibitors to go all-out, including the winning team of David O’Brien, Lillian O’Brien and Stephanie Garrett, who dressed as characters from “The Golden Girls.”
The Postage Stamp Farm Foundation and Lugano Diamonds sponsored the winning team, and they earned $100,000 for Nat King Cole Generation Hope Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides music education for children with the greatest need by cultivating opportunities and funding programs for instruction, mentoring and resources.
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After helping her team to victory, Garrett said, “I know in my middle and high school experience, the arts have been a huge aspect in my school life, so being able to support a charity in this way is amazing, and to be able to combine the horses with that is really special. It’s so great to even be competing here tonight and helping out such an important charity.”
Coming in second place was the team for Healthy Mother, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County Inc., sponsored by Spy Coast & Preston and Woz Wellness. The team of Collin Sweetnam, Olivia Sweetnam and Shane Sweetnam rode as characters from “Teen Titans Go!” and earned $90,000 for their charity.
The team benefitting YWCA Of Palm Beach County (Parker Peacock, Mia Green and Jens Filippusson), sponsored by Forget Me Not Farm and the Crown Family, finished third while dressed as characters from “The Addams Family” and won $80,000 for their charity.
Each participating charity received at least $15,000 in funds from the jumping competition. (See the full list of winners here.) Philanthropic action continued outside the ring too, as part of this year’s pet parade and costume contest. Thanks to matching sponsor Artemis Farm and title sponsor the Postage Stamp Farm Foundation, $55,000 was distributed to 10 organizations.
