Ken and Arle Adams of Wellington, Fla., have bestowed an extraordinary donation of a $5 million endowment to the U.S. Equestrian Team Foundation. This gift will mark the creation of the Ken and Arle Adams International Competition and Training Grant Fund.

This fund will provide an annual grant to supplement funding to the three Olympic discipline’s high performance programs: dressage, eventing and show jumping. 

“This extraordinary gift will be the largest gift ever made to the USET Foundation, and the Foundation is so grateful to Ken and Arle for their generosity. Leaving a dynamic legacy that will forever bear their name, the Adams’ gift will be a determining factor in this country’s ability to medal consistently in international championships in the future,” said Jane Forbes Clark, USET Foundation President and CEO.

Former CEO of True Value Hardware, Ken has been an equestrian enthusiast his entire life. From playing polo to foxhunting, his involvement in the sport has been substantial. The Adams wanted to give back to the sport and decided to do so by creating this fund to facilitate the betterment of the USET’s efforts. Recognizing the value of the USET Foundation to the teams’ success, the Adams are committed to helping provide the financial resources necessary to allow U.S. teams to train, gain experience internationally and compete successfully at the most elite levels of the international equestrian sport.

“Arle and I have owned and loved horses for over seven decades,” commented Adams. “It is exciting to envision the world’s best two- and four-legged equestrian athletes receiving their medals around the world, under a flag that says, ‘Made in America.’ “

Adams continued, “We have also been deeply involved with the Village of Wellington, Florida, since its inception. While its current equestrian activities have surpassed all former expectations, we believe the potential for further world class activity is huge! Toward that end we have provided incentives to the USET Foundation should they decide to expand their activities in Wellington.”