CANA Foundation raises money and awareness to save America’s wild horses in winter equestrian capital of the world.
Event Sponsored by Ilan Ferder Stables.
For those who could not attend the fundraising event but are still interested in making a positive impact in the horse community, or- if you loved the event and would like to show additional support, please donate online at www.canafoundation.org\//
On Friday, February 22nd, 2019, CANA Foundation held their 4th Annual #Rewild Party, sponsored by Ilan Ferder Stables, to save America’s Wild Horses from extinction.
Over 60,000 wild horses stand confined in government holding facilities in America, costing taxpayers over $80 million a year and rising. CANA works to release those horses onto tribal and private lands to live freely as part of social, environmental, economical and ecotourism projects that provide benefits to the communities who welcome them. CANA’s rewilding solutions are a humane, bipartisan approach to managing and preserving America’s iconic wild horse population; while simultaneously fostering land conservation, ecological balance, sustainability, community empowerment and stewardship.
The evening was attended by over 130 of Wellington’s horse, art and philanthropic community members who came out to dine, dance, experience and support CANA’s rewilding mission of America’s endangered wild horses. “I was completely inspired by the support CANA receives annually from the Wellington community. As the Winter Equestrian Capital of the world, it is truly remarkable to witness the generosity of this close-knit horse loving community and be reminded how to share in the responsibility we all have in protecting horses everywhere; as working and living with horses is truly a privilege,” said Manda Kalimian, CANA Foundation Founder.
The #RewildParty2019 was held amongst the exquisite setting of Idlewild; a provider of sustainable wood furnishings and a staple for fine, rustically designed pieces made from reused and repurposed teak wood from Southeast Asia. John Grimes, owner of Idlewild, is also known for his local restoration of indigenous palm trees to the Wellington area and was honored during the evening by the CANA team with a ‘Lifetime Rewilder’ acknowledgment. John was presented with a trophy and a traditionally handmade Indian breastplate for his work to restore life, art and our environment.
Philippa Davin Equestrian Fine Art Photography quite literally lit up the room; as the luminous pieces from her new “Golden Collection,” inlaid with white and yellow gold, were on display and for sale at the event. Philippa’s works have adorned the walls of the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in England, the cover of WEF prize lists and IPC Magazine; and can be found on display this WEF 2019 season at The White Horse Fashion Cuisine and other exhibitions. Contact Philippa for a private commission or purchase and mention CANA for a percentage of sales to be donated back to the Foundation.
In addition, guests were mesmerized as they watched the work of J. NiCole Hatfield’s come to life before their eyes during a live painting session.
NiCole is a renowned Comanche artist and her work is not only in many notable private collections, but she is collected by the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center. Congratulations to the lucky guest who took home the final piece by placing the highest bid during our live auction!
Eq Exchange, a boutique for the refined equestrian with luxury Italian brands at affordable prices such as KEP, IAGO, EGO7, and Adi Kisselvich; set up at the event and donated 30% of sales back to the Foundation. Visit them the rest of the season on vendor row at WEF and remember to mention CANA!
Finally, the evening ended with the presentation of CANA’s “Wild Ones Award”, presented to Pamela Flanagan for her selfless work to advocate for and advance the lives of our sacred horse nation. Pamela is an attorney, polo player and horse rescuer, who has saved many horses bound for slaughter and repurposed them into a successful polo pony.
‘Stella’ has been one of the most inspirational stories; a striking black and white mare who was Pamela’s first rescue project in 2016 from a kill pen and will now be playing this March 2019 in the U.S Women’s Polo Championship at The International Polo Club in Wellington with Pamela herself! Follow along with Pamela and the journey of her and her rescue horses on Instagram at @pamela_alina!
Unique silent auction items were donated by many to help raise crucial funds to support CANA, including Equithalasso Therapy Mud for horses, a calming lavender scent strap by HorseScents, a one of a kind painted skateboard featuring native leaders by artist Steven Paul Judd, Bone and Diamond feather necklace from FabFinds by Sarah, DerDau Products, a limited edition Mark Cross leather helmet bag donated by Eq Exchange and many others!
EnviroEquine, horse and pet healthcare products, are still supporting CANA. Visit their booth or website and make a purchase with the code CANA25 for a $25.00 credit. Enviro Equine is giving back 5% of sales made through March 1.
The CANA Foundation works through rewilding efforts, public awareness campaigns and creating new rewilding legislation in Washington D.C; and advocates for the ecological and spiritual importance of wild horses. Understanding this allows citizens to understand why we need to not only protect them, but why and how we can incorporate wild horses into our lives, lands and communities. “Each time we reconnect a horse with their home, the land – we are restoring the rightful course of nature and putting our American ecosystem back on a healthy path. Horses have the power to heal our habitats and humanity,” states Manda Kalimian.
Ecological studies show that wild horses have an adaptive instinct to harmoniously fit into a variety of ecosystems, which they enhance. As large herbivores, their grazing and digesting of foliage is beneficial, because their fecal matter holds seeds intact and their walking patterns and tails disperse other seeds while their flat hooves work to plant them, thus helping to sustain the surrounding ecosystem. When allowed to fulfill their ancient ecological niche, they can be used to help restore balance to our precious yet degrading American ecosystems.
“Not enough people realize the true value of the American Wild Horse and their importance in protecting our public rangelands, restoring our human habitat and planet and the health of our human spirits, but CANA is working to change that,” shared CANA’s Native Relations Director, Moses Brings Plenty.
“It’s simple – if we want to save our world, we must return to a place of balance within ourselves and our impact on the environment- and that begins with rewilding America’s Wild Horses.”
CANA thrives and survives on the contributions of good people who attend fundraisers like #RewildParty2019!
For those who could not attend the fundraising event but are still interested in making a positive impact in the horse community, or- if you loved the event and would like to show additional support, please donate online at www.canafoundation.org\//.
Event Sponsored by Ilan Ferder Stables.
#RewildParty2019
#RewildOurWorld