Wednesday June 23, 2004

Debbie McDonald Training Package Auction Raises $240,000 For Dressage Team - page 3

With nearly a quarter-million dollars in the coffer for the evening's effort, Dressage Chef d'Equipe Jessica Ransehousen was elated. “Wasn't that wonderful!” she said. “That shows you dressage is an important discipline of the United States Equestrian Team. It really touches your heart. We can be very proud that dressage has gotten so popular and has such wonderful support.”  Ransehousen tallied up some of the expenses for the team after the Selection Trials – shipping the horses to Europe for three more competitions, stabling, accommodations and per diems for the riders, transporting equipment including giant fans and generators, and shipping to Athens and home.  “Our budget was close to $300,000, so this is really helping a lot,” Ransehousen stated. “We have an enormous attachment of equipment that is necessary to do a good job with our team. It's been a wonderful night and the generosity has just been overwhelming.”

Ransehousen was quick to point out how McDonald's role not only brought success to tonight's event but will also impact future fundraising. “Debbie is the darling of the team, so having her offer this was not only generous, but because she does hold that kind of a position in the team it's very meaningful. Her personality and her wonderful sportsmanship and gentle nature have really endeared her to the vast majority of people who know anything about her at all.  I think people will look at the possibilities here and say, if they could do it, I could do it. It's great and that's the way it should be.”

“It's incredible,” said Marilyn Adams, Director of Dressage Activities. “I am so thrilled that Debbie offered herself for a month to work with someone at her facility – and it started with us sitting at a table at a convention in a conversation! She asked me if I thought it was a good idea and I told her, ‘that's an amazing idea!'”  Adams acknowledged that tonight's success went “significantly” beyond the expectations of that initial conversation. “Debbie is an incredible person.”

In addition to the Debbie McDonald Training Package Auction, the evening's fundraising also included ticket sales to the party, an elaborate silent auction and donations from patrons who underwrote the benefit.  The party proved to be the perfect venue for the excitement and success of the live auction.  John Long, United States Equestrian Federation CEO, stated in a presentation prior to the auction, “We all owe a tremendous thank-you to Dick and Jane Brown for organizing this event.” 

Related Links
Horsesdaily "On the Scene" at the 2004 USEF Olympic Dressage Trials
Horsesdaily Scoresource: 2004 Festival of Champions