Jill MedingerPHOTOS BY George Kamper
Georgina Bloomberg has channeled her love of animals and the sport of riding into much of her charitable work.In July, she was appointed chair of Humane Generation New York, a chapter of the Humane Generation Philanthropy program operated by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that aims to inspire young leaders to get involved in humane work. Bloomberg also serves on the board of directors of the HSUS and regularly joins HSUS on trips nationally and internationally to help animals in need. “I believe I was put on this earth to make a difference in animals’ lives, and I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of the work of some of these incredible charities,” Bloomberg said.
This summer, Bloomberg pledged her support for a fellow equestrian, buying a horse for para-equestrian Sydney Collier, a good friend of hers. Collier is aiming to qualify to represent the United States at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, and Bloomberg is helping her achieve that goal with her support. “I am so proud to be on her team and to be a part of her journey,” Bloomberg said of Collier. “[Fherrigamo] is by far the most meaningful horse I have ever purchased, and I cannot wait to be on the sidelines cheering the two of them on during their journey.”
Bloomberg is an EquuStar for the Equus Foundation, a horse-welfare organization, and acts as vice president for Animal Aid USA. She also serves on the board of the Hampton Classic Horse Show, the Lake Placid Horse Show, the Emma and Georgina Bloomberg Foundation, and the Bloomberg Family Foundation. Last but not least, she’s on the board of trustees of the United States Equestrian Team.
Some of Bloomberg’s earliest charitable work was the founding of the Rider’s Closet in 2006 out of her own home. Seeing a need to make appropriate riding apparel more accessible to less-privileged riders such as therapeutic riding programs, Pony Clubs, intercollegiate riding programs, and individual riders in need, Bloomberg began a donations program that flourished and grew. In 2010, she joined forces with Pegasus Therapeutic Riding to help administrate the Rider’s Closet, which currently accepts donations from individuals and corporations and distributes them across the United States.
“I saw a need for something, realized it didn’t exist, and went out and created it,” Bloomberg said.
Read more about Georgina’s philanthropy and EQLiving’s visit to her home.