Jeff and Shereen Fuqua, owners of Collecting Gaits Farm, recently provided sponsorship to Shawna and Come On III to help them reach the Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions in San Juan Capistrano on June 27-29, 2008.
Shawna and Come On III enter the Championships ranked third in the USEF Intermediare I Championship rankings. They are also currently first in the USDF Dressage Horse of the Year standings at the Prix St. Georges, Intermediare I and Intermediare I Freestyle levels. The costs of transportation from Aiken, SC to the Championships in California are significant, and the Fuqua’s generous sponsorship goes a long way toward funding the trip.
Shereen Fuqua, commenting on the sponsorship, said: “For several years, Collecting Gaits Farm is committed to sponsoring the sport of dressage through various show programs and up and coming professional riders. Last year, we were surprised not to see Shawna and Come On III at Gladstone. Jeff and I have been following the pair for the last three years. We have not met Shawna, but saw an article that she needed sponsors to make it to California. So I called her up and offered to help. We wish Shawna and all the finalists the best of luck in 2008 Collecting Gaits Farm Festival of Champions!”
Shawna was understandably excited about the sponsorship: “I was excited and almost brought to tears when I received a call out of the blue from the Fuqua’s about my challenge in funding the trip to the Championships. Collecting Gaits Farm has been an incredible force in promoting our sport through their sponsorship of events and riders. Almost every week you read about something they do to advance our sport. It touched me deeply that they would help me to reach the Championships. We all work very hard in this sport and it’s special when someone takes notice of your accomplishments.”
