Georgina Bloomberg’s charitable venture, The Rider’s Closet, is in the business of giving and receiving, not just during the holidays, but all year long. From therapeutic riding centers to pony clubs to collegiate equestrian teams, Bloomberg’s apparel exchange program has made a real difference for hundreds of equestrians who want to participate in competitive, scholastic or therapeutic riding but are unable to afford the gear. Liz Olsezewski, founder of Horses Healing Hearts USA, a nonprofit in Lake Worth, Fla., which works with children of alcoholics and addicts, recently contacted The Rider’s Closet for a shipment of much-needed boots and clothing. After receiving the items, Olsezewski wrote a heartfelt thank-you letter that was signed by her riders. She noted that they “feel like true equestrians now and are feeling very proud.” This sentiment is echoed again and again in riders’ notes of appreciation to Bloomberg and The Rider’s Closet volunteers. Created as a home-based operation in August 2006, The Rider’s Closet quickly grew in scope, as did Bloomberg’s equestrian career. In July 2010, she decided to move The Rider’s Closet to a new location where it could operate on a continuous basis while she traveled to competitions. Familiar with its philanthropic mission and services, Georgina partnered with local nonprofit Pegasus Therapeutic Riding to bring The Rider’s Closet to Pegasus Farm in Brewster, N.Y.

Managed by Pegasus staff and operated by volunteers, The Rider’s Closet at Pegasus Therapeutic Riding is thriving in its new home. Demand is especially high for items such as paddock boots, tall boots and show jackets, with requests coming in daily from children and adults alike. Volunteers maintain a “wait list” for often-requested apparel, and when a donation of one of these items is received, it is immediately repackaged and mailed out on a first-come, first-served basis to a rider on the list.

The Rider’s Closet accepts donations of all new or lightly used clothing, including shirts, britches, jackets, boots and half chaps. For safety reasons, helmets cannot be accepted. Information about donating or requesting items from The Rider’s Closet is posted to the Pegasus website at www.pegasustr.org/trc.