Thousands Raised for Displaced Families of Waldo Canyon Fires

August, 2012 – CEOs Liliane Stransky of Step by Step and Kyle Fenner of The Colorado Horse Park joined forces during the Summer in the Rockies horse show series to raise funds for the victims of the Waldo Canyon fire and charity helping, Colorado Springs Together.  The event, held at the Colorado Horse Park in Parker, CO before the final $50,000 Parker Adventist Grand Prix, raised thousands for the displaced families in the community and their animals.   In addition Stransky also introduced the Step by Step’s School in Backpack campaign, an online initiative which raised funds to buy supplies for students in the area before they go back to classes in the fall. This online outreach drew donations from around the country and, thanks to the success of both the Facebook and online promo, Stransky was able to purchase hundreds and hundreds of backpacks filled with much needed supplies which she and her staff sent out from the charity’s headquarters in Florida this week.

“It is amazing how many people, riders and the staff at the Horse Park all joined together to make a difference and change people’s lives,” stated Stransky, who had spent a afternoon purchasing the colorful backpacks, pens, paper, pencils and other necessary items on students’ must have list.  “Imagine being left without any of your belongings and having to start over. We hope that the school supplies will give back something to the children.  Hopefully this will give the parents one last thing to worry about as they get their lives back on course!”

For the actual auction Stransky, along with the help of a slew of caring young equestrians including her daughter Daniela (15), Jose Fernando Bonetti (15), and Kelsie (16), Jackson and Spencer Brittan (14), were able to secure a variety of donations that were bid on the final weekend including an assortment of getaways packages, fine dining destinations, exclusive equestrian items, high end sporting equipment, name brand riding apparel,  and chic accessories and jewelry, fine art pieces, and even private riding lessons from Grand Prix veterans.   At the close of the auction, it was Colorado Horse Park owner Helen Krieble who had made the highest bidder for the day.  She had bid on and won a beautiful photograph taken by none other than Liliane Stransky!

There were also a bunch of competitors championing the charity Step by Step at the horse show who donated funds won in the show ring to the charity drive.  Among the professionals, it was Hector Florentino who brought back top honors for Step by Step riding both Stransky’s Mission Farm’s Ultimo to the victory in the $35,000 Open Welcome and Wauw to the win in the $1,500 Open Jumpers.

 

Not to be outdone, the juniors kept the ribbons coming in.  After putting in fast and flawless trips during the final $10,000 NAL Low Jr. Jumper/A-O Classic, it was Liliane’s daughter Daniela who took the blue ribbon and top prize aboard her gray mare Starlight with Spencer Brittan, riding Wonderful Look, taking the second place slot.  His sister Kelsie took home the tri-colored championship in the Children’s Hunters on Bravado, and also rode her jumper Split Second, a Dutch Warmblood gelding who lost an eye recently to glaucoma, in the Children’s Jumpers.  In the Juniors, her brother Jackson took the $500 first place in week IV’s Junior/A-O Jumper class aboard Brooke Van de Zuuthoeve while Jose F. Bonetti added additional funds to the pot by piloting his new gelding Umare to solid ribbons in each class. For two of the talented team Step by Step teens, the horse show had another highlight; both Daniela Stransky and Jackson Brittan made their Grand Prix debut at the Colorado Horse Park.

Elsewhere in the country at another top horse show, teen sensation Emanuel Andrade was helping with the cause by riding to top honors in bot the Junior and Open Jumper classes and professional divisions.   These riders, and many others from different stables and countries, will continue to help raise awareness and funds for the Step by Step Foundation by competing year round on the A-Circuit in the United States and at top international show jumping competitions around the globe!

To learn more about the charity, become a part of the “team”  and join in to help others in need, please go to www.stepbystepfoundation.com

SBS’s goal is to enhance the lives of underprivileged children by creating and supporting, health, nutrition, water, education and other programs that substantially impact the human rights and development of children worldwide, establishing holistic community development programs that can be replicated throughout impoverished communities both in the United States and around the world.  Step by Step Foundation, Inc., is a registered 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization. For further information go to www.stepbystepfoundation.com.