HRTV will continue to showcase its wide-ranging spectrum of equestrian programming when it presents highlights from the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Holiday fund-raising gala, beginning on Monday, March 15, at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.
While the USET show will premiere on Monday evening, it will also re-air on Tuesday, and the following Sunday.
Produced by Equestrian Life, the popular event, which was sponsored by Succeed and Wellington Classic Dressage, took place at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, on December 11-12.
Jim Bates, HRTV Executive Vice President and general manager, noted, "As the only U.S.-based horse TV network with worldwide online reach, HRTV is proud to assist the U.S. Equestrian Team in both building awareness of these noble horse sports and of the U.S. competitors in the 2010 World Equestrian Games. HRTV also provides a platform for solicitation of the financial support the team needs in order to participate in the 2010 World Equestrian Games. We're proud to be associated."
The USET Foundation provides funding to help prepare and field the U.S. teams for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Kentucky this September, and the fund-raiser helps provide funding for the competition, training, coaching and travel of America's elite horses and riders in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation. The money raised assists in supporting this country's high-performance programs.
"The 'home team' advantage is well served by organizations such as HRTV and their commitment to assisting the U.S. Equestrian Team as they compete against their peers, the world's best equine athletes, at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY," said David O'Connor, USEF President. "We welcome the opportunity HRTV provides to reach more U.S. households with the excitement, passion and dedication of our Olympic and World Cup award-winning team."
Attendees were treated to a one-of-a-kind equestrian event, featuring performances, exhibitions, and team competitions with Olympians and many Equestrian stars.
A distinguished group of performers took place in the fund-raiser, including: Lynn Palm's English and Western Dressage Performance on Rugged Painted Lark, Monty Roberts' participation in reining, as well as Steffen Peter's mini-clinic on dressage. Peter is acknowledged as the U.S.'s number one dressage rider, and acclaimed worldwide as winner of the 2009 FEI World Cup Dressage and the 2009 Aachen World Horse Festival.
In addition, the gifted Chester Weber, a decorated U.S. National Four-in-Hand Driving champion for a record-setting seven consecutive years, also performed during the gala.
"The U.S. Equestrian Federation, host to the 2010 World Equestrian Games beginning in September in Lexington, KY, welcomes assistance from good partners inside and outside of the equestrian world," stated John Long, Chief Executive Officer of the USEF. "HRTV's gesture in highlighting our athletes and needs for support are appreciated."
HRTV, which carries horseracing from many of the sport's top venues, will add a wide-variety of equestrian programming, highlighting major international and US-based competitions, as well as documentaries and instructional shows, in the months ahead. New equestrian programming will debut on Monday evenings, both in the morning and primetime on Tuesdays, and on Sunday mornings.