Mark Leone, George Morris, Mason Phelps and Susie Schoellkopf have signed on again as judges for the 2009 Equestrian Idol Musical Talent Show to benefit The EQUUS Foundation, Inc. New this year, the event will be held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Friday (not Saturday) evening, February 6, 2009, in Wellington, FL.

Featuring musical performances by talented equestrians, including returning performers, Heather Caristo, Hillary Dobbs, Patricia Griffith, Casey Hodges, Brian Lookabill, and Chad Watridge and encore performances by Taylor Blauweiss, the 2007 Idol, and Ki-Juan Minors, 2008 Idol, The EQUUS Foundation is also issuing an open call to add some new performers this year.

Are you an Equestrian Idol hopeful? Anyone interested in competing should contact Lynn Coakley, The EQUUS Foundation, at (203) 259-1550 or via e-mail at [email protected].

The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., awarded over $300,000 in 2008 to 50 charities involved in equestrian and equine activities, bringing the total awards to $1.1 million since 2003. The awards were made possible almost entirely from event participation. The Foundation sponsors entertaining events each year to give something back to donors who give so generously. Individual seats for the Equestrian Idol event are $175 per person. Tables of eight are available as follows: Gold: $5,000, Silver: $2,500 and Bronze: $1,800.

The 2008 sponsors included Presenting Sponsor Newman's Own Foundation; Underwriting Sponsors Callari Auto Group, SKYY Spirits, Phelps Media Group; Gold Medal Sponsors Susan Bloomberg, Mary and Mike Carpenter, Gray and Jerry Fadden, Fairfield Equine Associates, Meadowview Farm, Sandcastle Farm, Split Rock Farm/Bobbie and Derek Braun, Spy Coast Farm; Silver Medal Sponsors Ellen and Bob Healey, the Keenan Family, the King-Kaplan Family, Louisburg Farm, the Robinson Family; Bronze Medal Sponsors the Dobbs Family, the Keck Family, Oliynyk Show Stables, Inc., Hiroko and Gregg Polle, the Sweely Family Foundation and Peter Welles.

For additional information on The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., visit the EQUUS website at www.equusfoundation.org or contact The EQUUS Foundation, Inc., 168 Long Lots Road, Westport, CT 06880, (203) 259-1550, email [email protected].