(Above right) McLain Ward and Sapphire won the team gold medal at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. (Below right) Steffen Peters aboard Ravel at the 2012 Olympics. PHOTOS BY SUSAN J. STICKLE
(Far right) Chris Kappler, Peter Wylde, Beezie Madden and McLain Ward at the 2004 Olympics. PHOTO COURTESY USET ARCHIVE
‘Rockin’ Rio’ Will Provide Crucial Support For The United States Equestrian Team By Rebecca Walton
This summer, the United States will send four teams of athletes to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in hopes of reaching the top of the podium. To achieve this goal, the athletes, horses and support teams must not only train and prepare, but also be away from home for three weeks in a foreign country. With no government support, this goal is made possible only by the help and support of the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation. On Friday, Jan. 22, supporters of the team will gather in Wellington for “Rockin’ Rio,” an Olympic and Paralympic Games benefit event led by Honorary Chairs Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen. Hosted by the USET Foundation, this fundraising event will be one of the main sources of financing for the trip to Rio de Janeiro. Serving as the benefit chairs for each discipline are: Dressage Chair Elizabeth Juliano and Vice Chairs Akiko Yamazaki and Kimberly Boyer; Eventing Chair Jacqueline B. Mars and Vice Chair Gloria Callen; Para-Dressage Chair Margaret Duprey and Vice Chair Rebecca Reno; and Jumping Chair Elizabeth Johnson and Vice Chairs Robin Parsky and Jeannie Tisbo. Scialfa, a USET Foundation trustee,
and her husband, legendary musician Bruce Springsteen, are the parents of Jessica Springsteen, who has successfully competed at the highest levels of show jumping and represented the United States on winning Nations Cup teams internationally. The family believes strongly in supporting United States athletes in their goal to bring home medals. “We are proud and excited to help bring awareness and much-needed funds for our team in this Olympic and Paralympic year,” Scialfa said. “We all know how hard our riders train and the many years of experience it takes to reach this pinnacle. ‘Rockin’ Rio’ will be a fabulous and fun party and a wonderful opportunity to honor and celebrate the United States Equestrian
Team with an unprecedented night of support.” In addition to cocktails, dinner and dancing, guests will participate in an exciting live auction. A few of the auction items will include a VIP experience at the Kentucky Derby, a custom animal portrait by Sharon Lynn Campbell and a week on Martha’s Vineyard in Edgartown at one of the island’s most coveted summer homes. There are enormous costs associated with the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics for American equestrians, including hotels and transportation for the athletes and horses. The budget for the 2016 games is $1.8 million. The money raised during the Jan. 22 event in Wellington will be crucial to the teams’ success in Rio. wellington the magazine | january 2016
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