Over $150,000 for "Harvey” Horses Thanks to Generosity of Equestrian Community

Donate Now! (Photo: Houston SPCA)

Lexington, KY- The USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund put out a call to the equestrian community on Monday to donate towards hurricane aid and relief for horses in the Houston, Tx., area and the response has been remarkable. Since that call to action, the fund has generated over $150,000 in donations thanks to the giving of concerned equestrians. One hundred percent of these donations will be given to the Houston SPCA, Texas A&M University, the Texas Equine Veterinary Association (TEVA), and other equine rescue organizations.

“The outpouring from the equine community has been unbelievable,” says Sarah Green, Executive Director for TEVA. “There has been immediate response from people across the country, even while the storm was still going on, to provide supplies. There is a long road ahead, but all of the support will make a huge difference.” Within the first 24 hours of the call to action, donations reached $50,000, and a generous donor stepped forward offering to match the next $25,000 in funds given. Since that time, the USEF Equine Disaster Relief Fund also has received a donation from USEF partner Ariat for $10,000 and a pledge from the equine charity Brooke USA for a dollar-for-dollar match on the next $25,000 donated, with the goal of reaching $200,000.

“USEF is overwhelmed by the response,” says USEF CEO Bill Moroney. “We are thankful for those who have stepped forward and not just given monetary donations, but also for those organizations and individuals who are in Houston and the surrounding areas, in the trenches, aiding one another and helping in the recovery. We are proud to be a small part of the relief efforts and could not have done even that without the support of those who are giving in so many ways.”

Make a donation to the USEF Disaster Relief Fund here.