Trakehners International and friends have joined together to host an online auction to raise funds for Darren Chiacchia, the international event rider who was critically injured in a fall on course at Red Hills Horse Trials on March 15, 2008. All bids are paid to the Equestrian Aid Foundation in Darren Chiacchia’s name and are tax-deductible.

Online bidding begins on Thursday, April 24, at www.trakehners-international.com. There are multiple ways to support this fundraiser:

1. Bid on the stallion service auction, including Windfall, Abdullah, Salute the Truth, E.H. Michelangelo, Favian *Ps* and many other stallions;
2. Bid on equestrian products and services. These include a $1,000 Bit of Britain gift certificate, a year’s supply of feed from Purina Mills, a trip for two to Burghley, clinics with world-class equestrians like Gina Miles and much, much more;
3. Give a cash donation; and/or
4. Purchase a poster. A 24” X 36” poster of Chiacchia will be available for purchase online, or at the United States Eventing Association tent during the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event.

For updates on Chiacchia's progress, visit www.eventrider.com.

The Equestrian Aid Foundation's mission is to build a membership based organization to assist anyone in the equestrian world suffering from life-threatening illness, catastrophic accidents or injuries by providing direct financial support for their medical or other basic needs.

For more information, visit www.equestrianaidfoundation.org.

Trakehners International started as an international friendship of Trakehner lovers from Germany and the United States in early 2001. What began over five years ago as an idea of how to connect Trakehner owners, breeders and enthusiasts around the world has turned into the number one place on the web for Trakehner news and features. The primary goal of Trakehners International is the promotion of the breed. For more information, visit www.trakehners-international.com.