EQ G I V I N G B A C K
A FAMILY AFFAIR
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t was never a question in my mind when I was growing up; it’s just what we do,” says Louise Riggio on why she has devoted her life to giving back to others. This strong foundation that Louise built within her family was naturally passed down to her daughter, Stephanie Bulger. The two have become influential with nonprofit agencies that inspire them, specifically the Equestrian Aid Foundation and Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center. The mother/daughter duo have many other passions in common too, such as books, travel, and Stephanie’s yearold son, Leo. They also share a deep love for horses and being involved in the equestrian community. Louise and her husband, Len, have had racehorses for years, and from day one they committed to being responsible owners. They always asked, “What happens to these horses when they can no longer race?” “It is and has always been a priority for my husband and me to make sure that any horse that came from our farm, MeadowView, is never forgotten, even if it moves on to a new owner,” says Louise. “I follow each horse that has left our farm in order to ensure that when its career as a racehorse is over, it still has a wonderful life and perhaps a second career.” Through her desire to help animals and the curiosity to learn of new options for these horses, Louise was introduced to Maker’s Mark Secretariat Center (MMSC). MMSC is a reschooling facility and
showcase for adoptable Thoroughbreds that creates training programs designed to teach each individual horse new skills to prepare for future careers. (See EQLiving, Summer 2014.) Over the years her involvement in the organization has deepened, and she is currently vice president of the board. The goal of reschooling is to find out who a horse is, strengthen its weaknesses to see what can be accomplished in its second career, and find the perfect person to adopt the animal.
also within the equestrian community. The Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting people from all corners of the horse world who are coping with catastrophic injury, illness, or financial crisis. The EAF’s mission is to help rebuild lives by providing people of all ages, backgrounds, and disciplines with funding for medical, rehabilitative, and essential expenses. (See EQLiving, Spring 2014.) Inspired by the organization’s mission and high regard within the equine community, Stephanie immediately became involved. Over the years she has moved her way up within the organization, becoming board president in 2013. “When recipients of the Equestrian Aid Foundation tell me that we changed their lifes, all I can say is ‘wow,’” Stephanie says. “Seeing what our recipients are able to accomplish thanks to some support—both financial and emotional—from us is awesome and so inspiring. We triumph and suffer right along with the people who apply to us for help. We’re with them through all of their hardships and successes. It’s heart-rending but ultimately such rewarding work.” It is obvious that this is not just a job to her. The mother/daughter pair share a passion for bringing awareness and aid to both people and animals who need it the most. As a new mom, Stephanie hopes to inspire her own son in the same way her mother inspired her—to find a cause he believes in and continue the family’s PAGE 113 legacy of philanthropy. JOHN LABBE
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Two generations of the RIGGIO FAMILY dedicate their lives to causes they believe in.
Louise Riggio, her daughter, Stephanie Riggio Bulger, and her grandson, Leo.
Louise shares with her daughter her generous heart and philanthropic endeavors. “My parents always valued hard work and responsibility, and encouraged me to find a passion to really sink my teeth into,” Stephanie explains. “Thanks to the example they set, I dedicate my life to following their model of servant leadership.” Just like her mother, Stephanie found a cause that she was passionate about,
20 | E Q UE S T R I A N L I V I N G | D ECEMB ER/ J AN UARY | 2016/ 2017