Beatrice de Lavalette and Joey Wölffer to be Honored at the 2024 GallopNYC Barn Dance
Beatrice de Lavalette. Photo courtesy of US Equestrian
New York – Sept. 5, 2024 – GallopNYC will host its Annual Barn Dance on October 16, 2024, from 6-10 p.m. at Current at Chelsea Piers in New York City. This year’s event promises to be an unforgettable evening where attendees can meet GallopNYC riders and their families, who will share inspiring stories of the life-changing benefits of therapeutic riding. Guests will enjoy beautiful views of the Hudson, an exquisite dinner, live and silent auctions and lively square dancing.
GallopNYC is proud to honor two remarkable individuals at this year’s event: Beatrice de Lavalette and Joey Wölffer, whose contributions and vision have made a lasting impact.
Beatrice de Lavalette was a member of the U.S. Para Dressage Team for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games with her horse, Clarc.
De Lavalette was raised in France and Belgium and now lives in the United States. She grew up as an athlete and equestrian and, as a junior, partnered with a dressage horse, Delegada X (“DeeDee”).
Headed home to the U.S. for spring break in March 2016, her life took a sharp change of direction. While waiting in line at the Brussels Airport, a terrorist bombing seriously wounded de Lavalette. She lost both of her lower legs. After months in intensive care, she began riding again, returned to the saddle with her beloved DeeDee and trained to compete in Para Dressage.
De Lavalette often shares her story as a motivational speaker. In January 2019, she was a featured speaker at the Equestrian Businesswomen’s Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida. In 2021, she was honored by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) at the FEI General Assembly in Antwerp, Belgium, where she was presented with the Against All Odds Award for her courageous story and inspiring recovery. In 2022, she was the World Championship Para Dressage bronze medalist and was named the United States Dressage Federation’s Athlete of the Year in Para Dressage. De Lavalette lives in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, and trains with Shayna Simon Dressage in Loxahatchee, Florida
Joey Wölffer. Photo courtesy of Wölffer Estate
Joey Wölffer is a native New York entrepreneur, chief brand officer, and co-owner of Wölffer Estate Vineyard, based in the Hamptons. With a mission to carry on the innovative legacy of her father, Wölffer and her brother Marc took over the winery in early 2013. That same year, they introduced the brand’s iconic Summer in a Bottle Rosé, which traditionally sells out each summer and is the No.1 fastest-growing rosé in New York City.
In addition to the vineyard, Joey and Marc Wölffer also took over The Tasting Room, Wine Stand and Wölffer Estate Stables, located on the 170-acre estate in the heart of the Hamptons. As a champion equestrian, Wölffer oversees the world-class stable facility, which combines heritage, beauty and a passion for excellence. Before joining the family business, Wölffer founded the Styleliner Truck, a luxury accessories boutique on wheels. In 2015, she opened her boutique in Sag Harbor, New York, and online shop at joeywolffer.com.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Wölffer began her career as a jewelry designer for Meems LTC, providing accessories for several High Street stores in the UK and later became a jewelry designer for Nine West and Trend Director for The Jones Group. She is a mother of two with her husband, Max Rohn.
The GallopNYC Barn Dance will be an evening of uplifting stories and fun to support life- changing programs for New Yorkers with disabilities, seniors, veterans and first responders. Funds raised also help support the treasured GallopNYC horses who work to improve lives.
Sponsorships offering comprehensive marketing benefits and impact are also available