Can You Make A Horse Smile? You Bet! Here's How...

New EQUUS Foundation Athlete Ambassadors Rally for Horse Welfare

"We are excited to announce that our EQUUS Foundation Athlete Ambassadors now include professional athletes from the Dressage, Para-Dressage, and Eventing disciplines in addition to Hunter and Jumper equestrians. We welcome our newest athletes - Olympians Adrienne Lyle, Robert Dover, and Phillip Dutton; Paralympians Dr. Kate Shoemaker, Fiona Howard, and Roxie Trunnell, and US-based show jumper Karen Polle, who represented Japan at the 2018 World Equestrian Games," said Lynn Coakley, EQUUS Foundation President.

Every EQUUS Foundation Athlete Ambassador has signed the EQUUS Foundation's #HorseProtector Pledge and is committed to promoting the organization's work and message to the broader equestrian community.

Meet two of our newest Athlete Ambassadors, Roxie Trunnell and Karen Polle, as they share the small, everyday actions they take to set an example for younger riders and why they’ve chosen to take the pledge to become official #HorseProtectors.

Roxie Trunnell
"Horses don't care about medals or ribbons—they care about their riders," says Roxie Trunnell, 40, of Kenniwick, Washington. "I grew up as a girl who loved horses, and I enjoy riding them because it allows me to spend time with them. Even though I am now a gold medalist Paralympian, I am still that horse-crazy girl who would spend all day at the stables to be with them. It is very important to me that the horse is happy, healthy, and enjoying being ridden and shown."

"I believe that prominent equestrians should serve as a role model for younger riders, as we are the ones they look up to," says Trunnell of her interest in signing on as an EQUUS Foundation Athlete Ambassador. "A simple pat after the ride can make a big difference by showing appreciation for the horse and signaling to those around that the rider is grateful, and not taking the horse for granted."

Karen Polle
"I have so much respect and admiration for horses as animals and partners," says Karen Polle, 33, of New York, New York. "It's important we recognize them for how great they are, and make sure they live the lives they deserve — and that we are doing as much as we can to make sure every horse ends up in good hands, all the time. Every single one of us has the responsibility to make sure every horse we interact with directly ends up in a good home and has a happy, healthy life."

"We're really lucky, being in the horse world, to get to work with these amazing animals, and I for one am inspired by them every day," adds Polle. "It is critical to always remember what a privilege it is, and to promote awareness of how we can protect these horses by working with the EQUUS Foundation or with one of the organizations that has been vetted and has attained the EQUUS Foundation Guardian designation."

Join Roxie, Karen, and countless others in pledging to support the lifelong wellbeing of our equine athletes. 

Lend Us Your Voice! Sign up as a #HorseProtector here 

Every voice makes a difference. Together, we can raise awareness, inspire change, and ensure a better future for our horses.

ABOUT EQUUS FOUNDATION: The EQUUS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2002, is the only national animal welfare charity and accrediting body in the United States that is 100% dedicated to equine welfare and with the dual mission to protect America's horses from peril and strengthen the bond between people and horses. Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Contact the EQUUS Foundation, Inc., at 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, Tele: (203) 259-1550, E-Mail: mail@equusfoundation.org. Visit:  Visit equusfoundation.org.