Hampton Classic Sponsor RV Sales of Broward Aids Hurricane Victims

As most people involved in the Hampton Classic know, hurricanes have frequently played a role in the horse show's history. But there is one Hampton Classic competitor and sponsor for whom hurricanes, and their aftermath, play an ongoing role.

Gigi Stetler, owner and president of RV Sales of Broward, based in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, FL, competes in the Adult Jumper division at the Hampton Classic and on the hunter-jumper horse show circuit. As a resident of Florida, she is more than familiar with hurricanes and the devastation they can leave behind.

In 1992, when many of us were at the Hampton Classic just days after Hurricane Andrew hit the east coast of Florida, Stetler was in Florida lending her help to some of those in need. "There were families whose homes had been destroyed who had nowhere to turn," she said. "I realized then that I could help by donating trailers and mobile homes to them so that they could have a place to live."

Recognizing the magnanimity of her gesture, FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) began a relationship where RV Sales of Broward would regularly supply trailers and mobile homes at specially reduced rates to help provide housing to those in need. That relationship continued until things changed in a big way following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Hurricane Katrina was so massive and so devastating that no one was prepared," Stetler said. "FEMA and all the relief agencies were caught totally off guard. When we saw the incredible number of people without any housing whatsoever, we decided to forget about payments and donate every vehicle we had."

A visit to New Orleans and Mississippi brought Stetler face to face with some heart wrenching situations. "We met one cab driver whose home had been destroyed who was sleeping in her cab," Stetler said. "Because of the hurricane she fell behind on the payments on her cab. Her petition for help was rejected by FEMA and she was about to have her cab repossessed. I knew that I just couldn't let that happen so I paid for the cab and gave it to her."

Stetler also came to the aid of families of the sheriff's department of Pass Christian, Mississippi whose homes had been destroyed and were living in the jailhouse. The tight quarters made life very difficult for the families, especially the children, and Stetler gave them mobile homes.

By the time we arrived with those mobile homes, word had spread and we found a long line of people whose homes had been destroyed waiting for us. It was at that point that I decided to just let them have whatever inventory we had left. FEMA had no money available for these people, their insurance wasn't covering their loss, and there was just no way I could even think of charging them." In addition to all her generous support of hurricane and other disaster victims, Stetler also supports her beloved horse show world through a series of horse show sponsorships much like her sponsorship of the Hampton Classic.

In addition to RV Sales of Broward's Gold Sponsorship of the Classic, Stetler's company is presenting sponsor of the Grand Prix of Lake Placid, sponsor of the Amateur Jumper division at the Winter Equestrian Festival and also sponsors other major shows such as the Littlewood Horse Show in Wellington, FL, the Fidelity Investments Classic in Massachusetts, and the Garden State Horse Show, Beacon Hill Classic and Monmouth County Horse Show in New Jersey.

When asked why she sponsors horse shows, Stetler explained, "I like to give something back to the sport I love. I have many professional and amateur friends who ride, and I want to make showing more affordable for everyone. In return, exhibitors tend to support horse friendly vendors. It is really important that we work together as a community."

Stetler finds the equestrian lifestyle is a perfect fit for her, as it allows her to combine her business with her passion for horses. As a horseperson, she understands the challenges that equestrians face and attributes her customer service and ability to handle these issues as the key ingredient to her company's success.

"Most consumers are tired of the high cost of hotels, and a recreational vehicle seems like a logical solution. With high costs, often you need to sacrifice quality to save a few dollars, not to mention the challenges of going to hotels with pets and other common things that usually follow the 'horsey' set, like lots of dirt. It's nice to come home to a place that is all yours, even when you are on the road for long periods of time.

"If you have employees, it is very easy for your horse show bill to escalate. This can put a strain on your horse show budget. Like most competitors, I want to see the bulk of my money spent on showing and training rather than where I need to lay my head at night," she added. "Hopefully, we are providing a sensible option."

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