The Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund is the title sponsor of the WIHS Equitation Finals and developed the WIHS Equitation Grant as a special component to its partnership with WIHS. The WIHS Equitation Grant will provide Stearns and Joseph, as the grant's recipients, with the opportunity to participate in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals without the significant financial commitment that typically accompanies the event.
Expenses covered by the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant include travel and lodging for the rider and parent, the equitation entry and application fees, equine transportation and stall fees, two tickets to the VIP platform and more. Now in its 27th year, the WIHS Equitation Finals is a rigorous three-phase competition held over two days. A panel of three judges test and evaluate the riders in hunter, jumper and work-off rounds to determine the best of the best.
2018 Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation rand recipient Ava Stearns competing at last year's Washington International Horse Show. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media.
"I was so excited to receive such an amazing grant for such a special horse show," said Stearns, who trains with Missy Clark and John Brennan at North Run in Warren, VT. "Last year was the first time I attended to compete in the equitation and it is one of my favorite horse shows. I feel so lucky to have gotten this incredibly generous opportunity.
Representing a strong contingent of West Coast riders who flock to WIHS each year, Joseph will attend the event for the first time since competing in the Pony Equitation ranks thanks to the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant.
"WIHS is one of the coolest horse shows I have ever been to," said Joseph, who trains with Robyn Stiegler. "From the horses being on the streets to all the spectators who come to watch, it makes it so special and has an exclusive feeling.
Lindsay Maxwell (far left) presenting last year's winner of the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.
Former Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals champions include former world No. 1 ranked rider Kent Farrington and two-time Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward.