The limited edition talking action figure plays 20 of George's classic quotes, such as, "Practice, my dears, doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect," and "My dear, if I have an aneurysm, it's your fault," in his own voice. These words of wisdom might inspire you to sit up straighter and keep your heels down, but you can also feel good that 100 percent of the net proceeds will go into the Chronicle Support Network's Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund.
The Chronicle of the Horse and its owners, Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, are launching
the Chronicle Support Network, through
coth.com, to create a national directory of 501c3 equestrian-related charities. The mission of the CSN is to identify and honor those great organizations and individuals who embrace horses and horsemanship to effect change in the community. The Bellissimo family will seed the fund with $50,000.
Mark Bellissimo commented, "There are so many great charities and individuals who incorporate horses either directly or indirectly to serve those in need, those organizations dedicated to protecting these great animals, or any other organizations who promote affordable access to horses and horsemanship. Katherine and I thought it is critical for us to 'chronicle' these efforts in a central place that will allow for these organizations and individuals to tell their stories as well as create network for collaboration and fund raising. Our goal is to raise and distribute millions in this effort."
Katherine added, "We are honored to include both George Morris and Breyer's Tony Fleischmann as partners in our first fundraising effort on this initiative."
The Bellissimos and their daughter Paige are founders of "The Great Charity Challenge," an annual equestrian event in Palm Beach County, Fla., that has raised and distributed $8 million dollars over the last six years in support of Palm Beach County Charities.
Fundraising will include direct donations, fundraising events and/or special projects. The funds will be distributed at certain major events like the annual Rolex Central Park Horse Show. In addition, a charity will be selected monthly as the featured "Charity Spotlight" and will receive at least $1,000 from the fund. COTH will also donate promotions of the selected charity to raise awareness via its website, ads in its magazines (both the
Chronicle and Untacked), and its social media pages.
The Chronicle Media Network is the most pervasive equestrian sport network in the world:
This extensive COTH community will engage in identifying worthy charities as well as providing online voting for six nominations for CSN equestrian philanthropist of the year to honor an individual who uses some form of equestrianism to promote a greater good in the community (which can be for equestrian or non-equestrian activities). A committee will select from the nominations, and the winner will be announced annually at the Rolex Central Park Horse Show.
Charities that incorporate horses or horsemanship (required) in their mission that would like to be included in the CSN, please submit an online application by clicking on the following link:
http://bit.ly/1MEnDsw
Only a few thousand first edition action figures are being made. You can
purchase them online for $100 with 100 percent of net proceeds going to the CSN. Action figures will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
A second offering will be a limited edition boxed set also created by Breyer Animal Creations with a talking George and his talented international jumper Rio. There will only be 250 made in 2015, and they will include a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by George Morris as well as an offer for the purchaser or designee to participate in a clinic at the Tryon International Equestrian Center (N.C.) in 2016. More details to follow.
Once you have your action figure, join us in a "Where In The World Is George" campaign to show us all the places where George Morris is making appearances - at shows, in stables (hope they are spotless!), or maybe at your dinner table (if you're looking to lose weight!).
"I thought it was a fun idea of Mark's," said Morris. "I support that all the proceeds go to charity work, and it was a fun thing to do. I'm very supportive of it."
"At Breyer, we celebrate the spirit of the horse every day, and no one has celebrated the horse and the art of equitation like George Morris," said Fleischmann, President of Reeves International, Breyer's parent corporation. "It's been fun to work on this project with George and Mark Bellissimo, whose vision and passion for sharing all that is good about horses and the horse world we share. We're delighted that the proceeds of the project will support the CSN to help horses and horse people, and we're proud to have contributed to funding this project."
Join Morris and the Chronicle, with more than 75 years of history covering horsemen and horse sports, in now moving forward to educate the public about the great causes and great people who use the magic of the horse to affect the lives of others.