During the weekend of April 24-26, more than 100 equine rescue groups held events in 33 states in conjunction with the ASPCA “Help a Horse Day” Contest—a nationwide grant competition for equine rescues and sanctuaries to raise awareness about the work they do to save and care for at-risk horses.

Today, we are excited to announce the winners of the Help a Horse Day Contest, each of which will receive a grant in the amount of $5,000 or $10,000 to support their ongoing efforts to protect equines. The winning groups include:

$10,000 Grand Prize Winners:

• All About Equine Animal Rescue – El Dorado Hills, CA
• Horses of Tir Na Nog – San Diego, CA
• The Pegasus Project – Ben Wheeler, TX

$5,000 Prize Winners:

• Freedom Hill Horse Rescue – Owings, MD
• Horse Haven of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN
• Livestock and Equine Awareness Network (LEARN) – Meggett, SC
• RVR Horse Rescue – Riverview, FL

Contestants were judged on the creativity of their events, as well as success engaging their local communities. This year’s winning events included a Ponypalooza event for families with games and prizes, which also featured members of the U.S. Air Force and local Boy Scout Troops engaging in a shelter construction project; a family carnival with pony rides and a “Muggin’ with the Mule” photo booth; the creation of a Help a Horse Posse and Sponsorship Program that allowed community members to sponsor horses; and Dancing for the Horses, which paired local celebrities with professional dancers to compete in honor of a rescued horse. One group even hosted an aviation festival in keeping with their theme of giving rescue horses their wings. Participating rescues also worked to recruit new volunteers, expand their support base, collect donated supplies and find homes for adoptable horses.

Thanks to all of this year’s participants for making a difference for equines nationwide!