Friday, Feb. 7, 2025

Great Charity Challenge Raises Over $2 Million

PUBLISHED

ADVERTISEMENT

The annual Great Charity Challenge took over the Feb. 1 installment of “Saturday Night Lights” at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, raising over $2 million for local charities while allowing riders a chance to have fun by competing in a tag-team format while wearing outlandish costumes. Now in its 16th year, the Great Charity Challenge continues to be a favorite for riders and spectators, as well as a big boon to local charities. This year, 12 area schools and 44 non-profits, addressing community needs from education and healthcare to animal welfare and homelessness, benefitted from the event.

The competition featured 35 teams of three riders each, ranging from the young, rising stars of the sport to Olympians. Each team was randomly paired with a local charity and raced to raise funds and hope for their designated organizations. This year’s theme was “Global Music,” so competitors donned costumes inspired by musical traditions from around the globe.

Eloise Eisner was part of the winning Spice Girls team, riding for The Arc of Palm Beach. Sportfot Photo

The winning team of Tony Stormanns, Taylor Cawley and Eloise Eisner earned The Arc of Palm Beach County the top prize of $100,000 in a winning time of 88.78 seconds. The team’s musically inspired costume was a nod to the early ’90s British girl group, The Spice Girls.

Coming in second place was the team riding for Friends of Palm Beach, Inc., consisting of Christian Hacker, Kiana Mitchell and Charlotte Bertoglio, earning $90,000 for their charity with a final time of 89.93 seconds.

Canadian Olympian Amy Millar traded her team coat for a mariachi outfit as anchor rider for the team supporting Bella’s Promise Pet Rescue. Cassidy Klein Photo

The team supporting Charlie’s Fund was made up of Kevin Gallagher, Caroline Mawhinney and Mia Albelo and finished third with a time of 90.14 seconds, earning $80,000. They earned an additional $5,000 for winning the costume contest in their rose-adorned, Flamenco-themed outfits.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The Great Charity Challenge is a huge team effort, and the team at Wellington International generously absorbs all the administrative costs, so 100% of the funds raised go right into our community, to organizations that do the most critical work,” said Paige Bellissimo Nuñez, co-founder of the event. “Thank you to all the organizations here and to Wellington International and Anne Caroline. Her passion and dedication to this event is really what makes it happen year after year.”

Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone celebrated a successful and impactful evening.

“You saw the place packed tonight,” he said. “The best part of this evening is, not only do we raise so much money for charity, but we bring the entire community out for an event. It’s opening the door to new people coming out and seeing what the equestrian community is all about. This is the crown jewel of Wellington, and it’s something we’re so proud of.”

Parker Peacock was part of the samba-themed team supporting Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. Cassidy Klein Photo
Who’s under that headdress? British Olympic team gold medalist Ben Maher, anchoring the samba-themed Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida team. Cassidy Klein Photo
Sara Kate Long was one of three matching Dollys on gray horses, riding for the Rhinestone Cowgirls team, who jumped to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” while supporting Connections School & Vocational Center. Cassidy Klein Photo
Estella Bonanni and her disco-themed team entered the arena to “Staying Alive” as they rode for the Loggerhead Marine Life Center. Cassidy Klein Photo
Allison Orth rode to support Morningday Community Solutions on the Taylor Swift-themed Eras team. Cassidy Klein Photo
Pop icon Taylor Swift inspired more than one team. “The Swifties” rode in support of the George Snow Scholarship Fund. Cassidy Klein Photo
Halie Robinson was on the house music team supporting Horses Healing Hearts. Cassidy Klein Photo
The kilt-adorned team riding to support Help Our Wounded Foundation, Inc., jumped to the sounds of bagpipe music at the Great Charity Challenge. Ashley Neuhof Photo

For more information on funds raised for participating charities, click here.

ADVERTISEMENT

EXPLORE MORE

Follow us on

Sections

Copyright © 2025 The Chronicle of the Horse