United States Eventing Association

In 2010, Jamie Greene of Five Star Tack discovered a creative new way to benefit horse-related charities: by collecting bridles and then sending them to training programs for Off the Track Thoroughbreds, such as CANTER, New Vocations and the Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescue. Initially Five Star Tack made a donation of thirty-five new bridles to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and CANTER USA to be used in their retraining programs.

“I had collected different samples from when we were developing new products, as well as excess inventory,” said Greene. “I thought it would be better for the bridles to have some use rather than take up inventory. There seemed to be a need for tack for all these horses; the organizations that I have spoken to have been very positive about the program.”
Creating quality tack is just the beginning at Five Star Tack. As a cancer survivor, company founder Greene wanted to also give back somehow, having received a tremendous amount of help when she needed it. That is where the Bridles with Benefits program came into play: the company has also donated the proceeds from a part of its sales to various charities engaged in cancer research and also to help horses in need.

It was following this successful venture that the company expanded its program to accept donations of used bridles and strap goods which are then sent to a registered charity in need. In this program the used, donated bridles must be in good serviceable condition. Contributors can send the bridles to Greene, who will then send a batch of bridles to the charity that needs them. If the person who donated the bridle needs a receipt, Greene will send them one from the charity. When someone donates a bridle they also get ten percent off a purchase at Five Star Tack

“There has been a good response and I think people really want to do something to help,” said Greene.

About Five Star Tack

A boutique store, Five Star Tack provides its customers with bridles and strap goods that are unique and memorable. All Five Star Tack bridles are designed in the US by Jamie Greene and produced using only the finest materials including the best grade English leather from J&E Sedgwick, then hand finished and stitched, but without the high retail markup of other brands. The Five Star Tack philosophy has always been to put quality before quantity. For more information: www.fivestartack.com/charities.html