ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassadors Urge the Public to “Be a Voice for Animals” at the Hampton Classic Horse Show

NEW YORK—For the ninth consecutive year, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) will partner with the Hampton Classic Horse Show to raise awareness of critical animal welfare issues and find loving homes for local shelter animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. The ASPCA will be joined by ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassadors Jill Rappaport, Georgina Bloomberg, Brianne Goutal, Hayley Barnhill, Jessica Springsteen, Stacia Madden and the newest ambassador, Jennifer Gates. The group will host two events during the week-long horse show, held in Bridgehampton from August 23-30: ASPCA Adoption & Animal Welfare Day on Monday, August 24, and the “Be Their Voice” ASPCA Equine Welfare Town Hall on Wednesday, August 26.

“We are proud to team up with the Hampton Classic Horse Show once again to raise awareness about critical equine welfare issues and help find loving homes for animals in need,” said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. “The protection of horses has been a core part of the ASPCA mission since our founding nearly 150 years ago and we look forward to partnering with our Equine Welfare Ambassadors to share that passion with the equine community and spectators of the show to encourage them to serve as a voice for animals."

The ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassadors will join award-winning animal advocate and network correspondent Jill Rappaport to host the Sixth Annual ASPCA Adoption & Animal Welfare Day on Monday, August 24. This event will focus on helping rescued horses, dogs and cats find permanent homes, and several local animal shelters and rescue groups will have animals on site throughout the day, including formerly wild mustangs who now serve as ambassadors for wild horses. Participating groups include:

• Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue
• Ruff House Rescue
• Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF)
• Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation
• Tails of Courage
• Last Chance Animal Rescue
• Brookhaven Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
• Kaeli Kramer Foundation Horse Rescue and Sanctuary
• SquirrelWood Equine Sanctuary, Inc.
• Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue
• Spirits Promise Equine Rescue Program
• Our Farm Equine Rescue
• The Cana Project
• Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue
• Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Inc.

“It means so much to be a voice for animals who need our help, and I am excited to join the ASPCA at the Hampton Classic this year to raise awareness, inspire action and find homes for animals,” said Jessica Springsteen, ASPCA Equine Welfare Ambassador.

The newest ASPCA Ambassador, Jennifer Gates, said, “As an equestrian and life-long animal lover, I am honored to lend my voice to this worthy cause.”

At the ASPCA’s “Be Their Voice” Equine Welfare Town Hall on Wednesday, August 26, the Ambassadors will join ASPCA experts to discuss critical issues impacting horses today, including horse slaughter, homelessness and neglect, inspiring attendees to help make a difference.

Other highlights during the week include the ‘Jump for the ASPCA’ fundraiser, sponsored by a generous donor, which will trigger a donation to the ASPCA to help animals in need every time a rider clears the ASPCA fence on the show grounds. Visiting public figures and top riders are invited to join the ASPCA throughout the week at the “ASPCA Patio and Animal Advocacy Station” located near the VIP parking and across from the public grandstand of the Grand Prix Ring, where they can take part in ”#Voices4Horses selfies” to raise awareness and inspire action for horse welfare.

The ASPCA’s long history of equine protection includes supporting equine welfare through legislation, advocacy, rescue, and targeted grants. In 2014, the ASPCA awarded over $1.1 million in grants to support 169 equine rescues and sanctuaries across the country. The grants were primarily awarded as part of the ASPCA Equine Fund, which provides life-saving resources – including financial assistance, in-person and online training, and sharing of best practices – to support non-profit equine welfare organizations.

To learn more about the ASPCA or to join the Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org. 

For more information on the Hampton Classic, please visit www.hamptonclassic.com.