The 2021 Heels Down Spark Awards aims to highlight creative individuals making their mark in the equestrian industry.
The winners will be selected by a panel of expert judges (75%) and a public vote in the Heels Down Spark, our daily equestrian newsletter (25%). The judges have weighed in. Now it’s your turn.
The changemaker category is open to individuals who have changed the equestrian world for the better in some way, either through advocacy, nonprofit work, product design and implementation, or through other means.
Meet the finalists here. And don’t forget to cast your vote on Friday, July 30, in the Heels Down Spark. Subscribe now.
Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship
About: “The mission of the Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship is to provide opportunities for young adult riders from marginalized communities to become involved or stay involved in horse sports through financial awards and mentorship focusing on not only horsemanship and equestrian pursuits, but also career planning and education.
We believe that opportunities for riding, training, and showing are not easily attainable to individuals facing socioeconomic and accessibility hurdles as well as overt and passive discrimination based upon their race, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
Impact: “After launching in August 2020, we have received as many as 20 applicants each award cycle. All of these young riders were paired with mentors who matched with their career, education, or riding interests. Some provide tangible horse care and riding advice to these young riders seeking knowledge or guidance, other mentors provided solidarity to riders who are navigating the tricky waters of being an openly LGBTQ+ equestrian or a person of color in the show ring. Some mentors share perspective on career planning, be it a career within or outside of the equine industry. We believe this impact is worth far more than the financial awards we provide, but those monetary funds are not trivial either! One college senior was able to fund her IHSA season with the scholarship. One para-dressage rider was able to pay for lessons at a dressage barn in addition to her therapeutic riding lessons. And our most recent awardee plans to put a portion of her scholarship towards t-shirt printing equipment so that she can launch her own business and support her horse habit for years to come.”
The Goal: “We want to change the world! And no, that’s not an exaggeration! We believe that the future is in the hands of the youth and it’s up to all of us to treat them right and give them the opportunities that they deserve so that the future is bright, safe, and secure. Horses empower us, motivate us, make us work hard, and help us chase our dreams. Our hope is that these young adults are able to keep horses in their life as a basis for their empowerment, their motivation, and their future success. Because the future for all of us depends on what they are able to achieve.”
Find out more about the scholarship here.
Shellie Kwitkowski
About: “Fieldstone Farm is one of the largest therapeutic riding centers in the nation with 40 therapy horses, 20 instructors, 200 volunteers and approximately 750 students annually. Most of our students come to the farm to ride and interact with our horses, but some are unable to travel to the farm. This was especially true during the pandemic. To give these students the opportunity to work with our horses we outfitted a minivan to transport our miniature horses to schools and other non-profits. We have taken the miniature horses to many schools and organizations and created hands-on learning activities for students. The program launched early in 2021 and now we are out in the community with our horses and the van approximately once a week.”
Impact: “The mobile minivan is one of the first of its kind. Typically therapeutic riding centers do not transport their horses as it is expensive and cumbersome. Our new specialized smaller van is equipped to transport miniature horses and is much easier to maneuver, uses less gas and doesn’t require special parking space. This allows us to visit people who are not able to come to the farm including inner city schools, nursing homes and veterans organizations. Many other centers now are contacting us to learn more about our program and how we outfitted the van so they can replicate it in their communities.”
The Goal: “Our goal for the mobile miniature program is to introduce more and more people to the therapeutic power of horses.”
Find out more about Fieldstone Farm here.
Shaq Blake
About: “I am the author of theblackequestrian.com which is an online blog created to chronicle my journey as a black adult beginner rider chasing my dream of becoming a show jumper. I began riding in the summer of 2018. In the past three years I have been a volunteer, working student, lesson student and horse owner. As a rider of colour in a predominantly white sport, I use my blog and social media platforms to highlight and uplift other riders of colour as well as to touch on ways to encourage more diversity and inclusion in the equestrian community, education and to encourage positive relationships with our equine partners on the ground as well as in the saddle.
I am also the co-founder of the Optimum Youth Equestrian Scholarship (OYES). Myself, along with two other phenomenal women, founded this scholarship to help bridge the accessibility gap between horse lovers from marginalized communities.”
Impact: “I have connected with incredible riders from around the world due to my social media and blog. Riders from all economic backgrounds, experience levels, ethnicities, etc. I make it my goal to always be accessible and transparent. Whether that means speaking up about my own short-comings or struggles, or celebrating others as they accomplish their goals in this sport, I strive to be a resource where anyone can walk away from an interaction with myself or my platform feeling like they have found a safe space to join, have learned something or have been inspired.”
The Goal: “My mission for the black equestrian is to be a safe space for riders of all types to interact, be heard, learn and be inspired. I was not born into a family of equine enthusiasts, and I have been fortunate along my own journey to meet incredible people who have answered questions, taken the time to help me, connected me with resources, etc., that I want to be that source of help for others. I also strive to be as transparent as possible in my posts, videos, and interactions. In the age of social media, where it is common to showcase only the good moments, it is easy to feel as though imperfection is failure. Prominent issues in this sport such as eating disorders, discrimination and progress by way of training shortcuts are encouraged by the facade of perfection displayed on social media. I want any young rider to look at my page and hear my story and know that it is okay if it takes them 3 years to canter, or if they cannot fit into a size 24 breech, or if they do not have a 5-figure warmblood. I want any beginner to feel comfortable asking questions. I want to promote the slow and steady journey, where horses or riders aren’t forced to move quickly to keep up with those around them.
Find out more about Shaq here.
Forest Franzoi – Herd of Zebras
About: “Herd of Zebras, founded by Forest Franzoi, started as a personal blog where she shared journey of otherness as a person with endometriosis and has grown into a lifestyle and apparel brand with a message. As she battled through surgeries, loss, and chronic illness, she came to feel increasingly alone, like a zebra in a herd of horses. But one thing remained constant – through it all, her barn friends were there for her. With that realization, her blog blossomed into Herd of Zebras. The company strives to create more than clothing and accessories for humans and horses – it strives to create a community of acceptance and kindness. In that effort Herd of Zebras has launched Endometriosis Awareness month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month with proceeds from the sales of those shirts going towards the corresponding charities. Herd of Zebras is also excited to have celebrated Pride Month by introducing a Pride tee to their collection as a continuation of the company’s goal to support charities and promote kindness.”
Impact: “Herd of Zebras has created a community within the brand. The Herd we have created stands for inclusivity, kindness and being proud of who we are as individuals. We have created apparel items to match this message including our “Show Your Stripes” sweatpants and jerseys and our “Be Kind” Crew Neck Sweatshirts.”
The Goal: “The Herd of Zebras motto is “Show your stripes.” At Herd of Zebras we don’t blend in, we stand out and stand together. We do this by supporting each other, by creating apparel with a message, and by donating to charities that work towards helping the community.”
Read more about Herd of Zebras here.
Subscribe to the Spark to learn more about our finalists all week and to cast your vote on Friday.