GallopNYC Rides into Wellington with a Fundraiser Hosted by Georgina Bloomberg

Sarah Maslin Nir, Georgina Bloomberg, GallopNYC Board Member Amanda Barshall-Cain,
GallopNYC Executive Director Marcos Stafne.Photo by Snap Photography and Cinema

New York – March 21, 2024 – Georgina Bloomberg served as honorary host of a gathering to support GallopNYC, a nonprofit organization providing therapeutic horsemanship programs for New York City residents with disabilities, seniors and veterans. The event was held in Wellington, Florida, the winter equestrian capital of the world. Olympians, Paralympians, international riders, GallopNYC supporters and friends turned out at Piaffe Lounge to celebrate and show their support for the organization's life-changing programs. Notables included dressage rider Katherine Baetson-Chandler, show jumpers Norman and Nick Dello Joio and para rider Beatrice de Lavalette.

"We were thrilled with the turnout," GallopNYC Executive Director Marcos Stafne said. "There is a strong connection between New York City, supporters of GallopNYC and Wellington. This is our second event in Wellington and we raised over $20,000 that will go directly to our programs and horses."

During a short program, Board of Directors Chair Constance Hunter shared a personal story about how therapeutic riding benefited a family member. She explained that her family member eventually aged out of the program and how GallopNYC is committed to ensuring a lifelong trajectory of riding.

Board member and former GallopNYC rider Lauren Reischer spoke about her personal experience with GallopNYC. "I was diagnosed (with cerebral palsy) at 3 1/2 years old. My legs did not separate from the knee down. I had what is referred to as mermaid tail, and my brain did not recognize my legs as two separate extremities. My rehab specialist recommended that I start therapeutic riding because the motion of sitting on top of a horse in the saddle moving with my legs apart was going to become muscle memory. Within 10 weeks of starting the GallopNYC program, I could take reciprocal steps with a walker. It was by far the biggest physical milestone to date of the different procedures and therapies that I've done. Therapeutic horseback riding unblocked me in so many ways."

Stafne explained that GallopNYC has a waiting list of one thousand people. "There are 8 million people in New York City. We serve just 500 of them on a regular basis, and we want to do more of that," he said. "Working with horses in New York City has many challenges and wee're supported by 800 volunteers who give of themselves tirelessly. Everyone does it because they love it. They see the transformations that are happening on a regular basis."

GallopNYC's upcoming events include the Central Park Promenade on Sunday, May 19, an opportunity to showcase GallopNYC's riders on a picturesque ride through Central Park. Supporters can join the ride. Learn more here.

GallopNYC's Annual Barn Dance fundraiser takes place Wednesday, Oct. 16, GallopNYC at Current at Chelsea Piers. Learn more here.

Many thanks to Georgina Bloomberg, David and Judy Sloan, Amanda Barshall-Cain, Constance Hunter, Sarah Maslin Nir, Lauren Reischer, The Piaffe Lounge, Corro, Arion Sellier, Equisite, The Tackeria, Helgstrand Jewellery and Douglas Elliman.