Wellington real estate agent Martha W. Jolicoeur hosted an innovative philanthropic event at one of her Palm Beach Polo & Country Club listings on Thursday, Feb. 27. The setting was breathtaking, and the cause was worthy.
The WEF Wine Down event celebrated the joy of horses while encouraging the Wellington equestrian community to pay their passion for horses forward to benefit disabled children and veterans through the Wellington-based charity Give Back for Special Equestrians.
Founded in 2013 by Sissy De Maria-Koehne, Isabel Ernst and Dr. Heather Kuhl, Give Back for Special Equestrians is an all-volunteer organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding scholarships for disabled children and veterans suffering from some of life’s most difficult physical, mental and emotional disabilities. Their goal is to help as many people as possible experience horsepower that heals. The charity has provided more than $100,000 in support of horseback riding for the disabled and is active in Florida, Colorado and New York.
“Give Back for Special Equestrians is an organization that is very near and dear to me,” said Jolicoeur, a Wellington-based Douglas Elliman Real Estate agent. “As a rider and supporter of horse sport throughout my entire life, I have learned first-hand about the therapeutic power that sitting in the saddle wields. It was an honor for me to be able to host this event alongside fellow Douglas Elliman agent Mark J. Norman at one of our most popular listings. It was inspiring to see the willingness of riders, owners, members of the Wellington community and supporters of equestrian sport to help raise the profile of one very deserving charity.”
Jolicoeur and Norman selected 12443 Cypress Island Way as the stunning setting for the event. Dubbed “El Sueno,” the one-of-a-kind, 11,654-square-foot estate home is situated in the heart of the Palm Beach Polo & Country Club community. A masterpiece from all angles, the home sits on a spacious lot with a waterfront backdrop. Plenty of green space is featured throughout the property, which combines privacy with all the amenities of modern design.
Rare marbles were imported from Italy, gorgeous walnut cabinetry was sourced from Canada and custom furniture was meticulously designed to give the home an exclusive touch. A collaboration in the truest sense of the word, the home is equal parts equestrian retreat and design showcase. Listed at $9.95 million, the home was built by RWB Construction Management, a concierge builder, in partnership with Primark Partners, Decorators Unlimited and Affiniti Architects.
The evening also introduced Give Back for Special Equestrians’ giving society, aptly named the “S.P.U.R. Society” (Special People United for Riders), which encourages equine enthusiasts to get involved and help provide horseback riding lessons to the children it serves.
“We are humbled to have the support of our title sponsor, Martha Jolicoeur and Mark J. Norman of Douglas Elliman, as well as our hosts Robert Burrage and Matthew Epstein,” said DeMaria-Koehne, co-founder of Give Back for Special Equestrians. “Thanks to their combined generosity and the evening’s success, we will be able to award several therapeutic horseback riding scholarships at Good Hope Equestrian Training Facility to their deserving equestrians, so they can benefit from this life-changing therapy.”
Epstein surprised guests with the announcement that he would make a $25,000 donation to the charity should any registered attendee purchase the property.
Highlighting the evening’s program, Dr. Peggy Bass, executive director of Good Hope Equestrian Center, welcomed guests with a tale of her experience witnessing how horses changed the life of a foster child dealing with challenging circumstances.
Give Back for Special Equestrians ambassador Dorothea Johnson then introduced the attendees to her son, Hunter Johnson, a special-needs rider and Give Back for Special Equestrians scholarship recipient. She shared her personal journey of having a young son diagnosed with autism while expressing her deep gratitude to the organization. Hunter stole the show and was clearly thriving with the help of the Give Back for Special Equestrians organization.
Notable guests included Tom Wright, Chris Leavitt, Dr. Guenther Koehne, Randy Fiorenza, Aimee Deupi and Kristian Stensby; Give Back co-founders Sissy De Maria-Koehne, Dr. Heather KuhI and Isabel Ernst; board members Sandra Fiorenza, Emily Sherman, Munisha Underhill, Carlotta Goyeneche, Ashley Cagle, Cheryl Ernst and Dr. Peggy Bass, along with Murray Bass; and Douglas Elliman Realtors Waverly Ernst and Sharon Loayza.
For more information about Give Back for Special Equestrians, visit www.giveabuckeq.org. To learn more about Jolicoeur and her Wellington listings, visit www.marthasproperties.com.