Wellington, FL – November 26, 2019 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation will hold a special benefit event on Friday, January 17, 2020, at Deeridge Farm in Wellington, FL. The “Take Me To Tokyo” gala will raise critical funds to support the U.S. Equestrian Teams headed for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games.
“We are so excited for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic benefit, ‘Take Me To Tokyo,’” said Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive Director of the USET Foundation. “This country is fortunate to have some of the most talented and dedicated athletes, and the opportunity to represent the United States on an Olympic Team is the culmination of years of sacrifice and hard work. We are so grateful to the many friends and donors that help make these dreams come true and medals possible.
“The funds raised at the ‘Take Me To Tokyo’ gala will directly benefit our U.S. teams and help bring us closer to meeting our funding goal necessary to ensure our teams are prepared and ready to reach the podium in Tokyo,” continued Jenkins.
“Take Me To Tokyo,” hosted by honorary chairmen Joan and Lou Jacobs, and benefit committee chairmen, Gloria Callen, Pam Keenan, Elizabeth Juliano, Beth Meyer, Caroline Moran, Rowan O’Riley, Robin Cleary Parsky, Barbara Roux, and Akiko Yamazaki, will begin with a cocktail hour starting at 6 p.m.
Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., inside a newly designed VIP tent at Deeridge Farm, adorned with bamboo, cherry blossoms, and décor reminiscent of Japan, at which time the evening’s program will commence with the keynote program, silent and live auctions, dancing to the sounds of The Danny Beck Band, and more, all while celebrating and supporting equestrian sport’s top U.S. athletes.
The event will also include the presentation of the USET Foundation’s most prestigious annual awards, including the R. Bruce Duchossois Distinguished Trustee Award; the Lionel Guerrand-Hermès Trophy, given to a young rider who exemplifies both horsemanship and sportsmanship; and the Whitney Stone Cup, awarded to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in competition and high standards of sportsmanlike conduct.
Interested individuals are encouraged to purchase tickets and tables as early as possible and no later than Friday, January 10, as the event is expected to sell out. Tables and reserved seating are available on a first come, first served basis here.
For additional information on “Take Me To Tokyo” and to purchase a table or ticket in support of the USET Foundation and the U.S. Equestrian athletes headed to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games, visit www.uset.org/2020-take-me-to-tokyo-gala.
