Beach County. Each charity was randomly assigned a sponsor — one of many generous families or individuals who have donated money to make the event a reality. The sponsors have the chance to select the amateur and professional riders who will compete for their charity. The Bellissimos wanted to be sure that it was a family-oriented event with a fast-paced, team competition to keep guests entertained in a casual environment that would translate well to Wellington. “Wellington is a familyoriented community,” Paige Bellissimo said. “This is a family-oriented event.” In its inaugural year, the Great Charity Challenge awarded $560,000 in prize money to 24 charities, despite only three weeks of raising cash for the event, Mark Bellissimo said. “It was amazing how many families stepped up and contributed based on a quick conversation,” he said. “Very few people I asked said no.” Additionally, he gained support from corporate interests, such as presenting sponsors FTI Consulting and the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund. “I want to thank FTI and Fidelity for their contributions for this great event,” Mark Bellissimo said.
The funds are managed by Fidelity, which allows donors to contribute knowing that their money is being used for charity, not profit. “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, we’re delighted to be associated with the Wellington Equestrian Festival’s Great Charity Challenge and its outreach to benefit so many worthy causes in the Palm Beach area,” said Sarah Libbey, president of Fidelity Charitable Services. Once the money was secured, it was only a matter of putting together the event. The format is simple: world-class riders compete in a three-person relay race with amateur and junior riders for the fastest time over a show-jumping course. In this, the event allows unknown riders to get in the ring with top names in the sport. Paige Bellissimo had the opportunity to ride last year for her family’s sponsored charity, the Stand Down House. “It was great fun,” she said. “It was an honor to ride on the same team as Olympic gold medallist Laura Kraut. In general, [equestrian sports are] individual. It was refreshing to be part
of a team for a great cause.” The winner of the $150,000 prize last year was the Step By Step Foundation, prompting founder and president Liliane Stransky to break into a dance with her team, Paige Bellissimo recalled. Stransky was able to use the money to finish the foundation’s school in Haiti, which helps underprivileged children and the surrounding community. “It was a dream come true,” Stransky said. “It was the largest amount of money we’d received. I think it’s the greatest idea — that in this time when we’re in such an economic crisis and it’s hard to raise money, that someone would do an event like this.” But Stransky wasn’t the only one moved by the event’s generosity. Edward Kochetova, the husband of Russian rider Ljubov Kochetova, was so inspired that he donated an additional $60,000 to three charities chosen by the winning teams’ sponsors, Paige Bellissimo said. “I was truly moved by the gesture, as it was a great representation of the spirit of the evening,” she said. And this year, the event is bigger and
(Below) The participating charities in this year’s Great Charity Challenge were chosen at a ceremony held Dec. 12 at the inaugural Holiday HorseFest in downtown West Palm Beach. image courtesy mancini photos
28February February2011 2011|wellington |wellingtonthe themagazine| magazine| 28