The Plaid Horse is proud to announce a partnership with the Metropolitan Equestrian Team to further the two organization’s shared mission of empowering youth through horses.
“Metropolitan Equestrian Team is thrilled to partner with The Plaid Horse,” said MET founder and executive director Jane DaCosta. “This partnership is a tremendous opportunity for us to expand our reach in the equestrian community, and that reach is key to our continuing to grow and expand our programs across the country. Equally, the educational opportunities and insights The Plaid Horse provides helps our riders discover new possibilities and create new connections that will help them reach their goals. It’s a true win-win for everyone involved.”
“I respect and admire Jane for her work in helping kids not only get access to horses, but in pushing them to achieve academically,” said Dr. Piper Klemm, publisher of The Plaid Horse. “The organization speaks to values we want to encourage and spread throughout the industry.”
Jane established MET in 2010 because she wanted to pay it forward. As someone who grew up participating in equestrian sports, Jane learned not only horsemanship and athleticism but also leadership skills, the value of teamwork, and responsibility. Thanks to the self-confidence she gained through training and competing for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, Jane went on to find success as an Electronic Warfare Technician Third Class Veteran of the United States Navy. To accomplish her goal of giving back to the local community, Jane founded MET, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that operates out of the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy in Brooklyn, New York.
Today, MET provides young aspiring athletes in grades 3-12 with the opportunity to participate in horseback riding as part of the MET Team. During practices, students learn horsemanship, sportsmanship, and agricultural skills. MET supports its students’ college preparation through education programs, access to representatives from colleges and universities, and scholarship opportunities. Riders have the ability to compete with the MET Team under the Interscholastic Equestrian Association and the Athletic Equestrian League.
More than anything, MET provides a supportive, encouraging environment and instills in its students a sense of belonging. Many MET Team members are kids who, prior to joining the MET Team, had never set foot on a farm. MET helps open their eyes to a new world, then teaches them how to contribute to and care for it. At MET, we’re bringing horseback riding to kids of all backgrounds — and educating the next generation of leaders.
