The EQUUS Foundation established its Champions Equine Service program in partnership with Ariat International to reward and stimulate volunteerism for equine charities. Established in 2012, over 2,000 individuals signed up over the course of the year to help support the over 600 equine organizations across the United States participating on the EQUUS Foundation carrots4acause network.

Individuals who volunteered a minimum of 24 hours for an equine charity on the EQUUS Foundation carrots4acause network in 2012 were recognized as Champions and automatically entered into a drawing where the winners would have the opportunity to select their charities to receive an EQUUS Foundation grant.

The EQUUS Foundation and Ariat International are pleased to announce the winners of the 2012 Win A Grant program. Thanks also to Ariat International, each of the individual winners receive a Gift Card for any Ariat boots (tall boots, paddock boots, barn boots, endurance boots) valued at $250 or less.

Ariat also donated five additional Gift Cards good for any Ariat boots (tall boots, paddock boots, barn boots, endurance boots) valued at $250 or less for a drawing to be held in each quarter of 2013 open to all individuals achieving Champion status. The earlier individuals achieve Champion status, the greater the chance they have to win. The first drawing will be conducted in mid April.

The recipient of the first place Win A Grant award of $3,000 was Ride On St. Louis thanks to the volunteer efforts of Kati Bishop. Ride On St. Louis, based in Kimmswick, Missouri, use hippotherapy, therapy with the aid of a horse, and therapeutic horsemanship to achieve emotional, mental and physical benefits for the developmentally and physically disabled, as well as the disadvantaged youth in their community.

Christine Sicard, a volunteer with Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR) based in Lenoir, Texas, was the lucky second place winner, allowing her to give a $2,000 grant to her favorite charity. STAR fosters personal achievement by providing therapeutic experiences using horse related activities for persons with disabilities or other special challenges.

Chasing Rainbows received the third place award of $1,000 thanks to the volunteer efforts of Kate Aughenbach. Chasing Rainbows, based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, strengthens individuals with special needs, their families, and our communities by using equine-assisted activities.