End-of-Year Giving: Turning Gratitude into Lasting Impact

A Letter From Jeff Papows Welcoming In the New Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wellington, FL – Dec. 31, 2025

I got involved in this sport as my sort of “midlife crisis,” in the fall of my life after a whirlwind career in technology—aspiring, at long last, to something resembling a life, or at least a demonstrable work-life balance. I committed considerable time to learning something far more complex, and far more compelling, than I could possibly have understood at the outset. I wrote about some of this journey in my book Unbridled Passion.  The curse in a sense is I feel in love with something I was never destined to be all that good at.

I fell in love with the horses in my life—their immense generosity, their patience, and their willingness to put up with my considerable ineptitude and my overly ambitious, often misplaced notions of what I thought we could achieve together. As revealing as this twenty-five-year journey has been, it is not where the greatest surprises, discoveries, or gratification ultimately come from. And that, as it turns out, is a very good thing.

What I did not understand—at the beginning, nor even midway or later in that somewhat nonsensical journey—was just how special this community truly is. Not the horses; I understood that early on. That part is inescapable. Rather, it is the people. The heroics, the unselfishness, the generosity, and the love—not only for our horses and our sport, but even more so for the brothers and sisters within it who, through no fault of their own, find themselves living what may be our collective worst nightmare: trapped in athletic bodies that no longer respond to muscle memory, mechanics, or need.

Spinal cord injuries sustained in pursuit of our dreams alter reality in ways that extend far beyond the individual. They reshape families, futures, and identities. And we all know—perhaps too well—that it could happen to any one of us. I have often said that show jumping is “the world’s most beautiful and profound sport.” It is also, concurrently, among the more dangerous.

I am now going on six years into my role as Chairman of the Babington Foundation. And for the record—I did not create the Foundation. That honor belongs to Missy, Marty, McLain, and others. Not me. It is a common mistake, but an unfair one—and yes, it bugs me a bit. I became the custodian roughly a year into its existence, when it became clear just how complex and demanding a national 501(c)(3) organization truly is.

For my remarkable lack of natural talent in the show ring, decades of enterprise leadership, digital expertise, and a few hard-earned doctorates left me with at least some relevant qualifications. What has truly shocked me, however, is the magnitude of generosity—yes, I will call it love—and support demonstrated time and again across this community. A community I find myself defending, sometimes fiercely, against ignorant and undereducated assumptions from those outside our world who wrongly believe we are a collection of self-centered affluents, undeserving of such unselfishness. That perception is both false and unfair, and it irritates me nonetheless.

In the year now being eclipsed, I have witnessed how heroically Kevin, Kim, Jonathon, and others in our circle have struggled. It has been a year marked by extraordinary physical challenges—by highs and lows—and, in Kevin’s case, truly life-threatening chapters. I have also been privileged to share in the joy of remarkable progress: Jonathon Millar’s return to the show ring, Kim walking and working in Traverse City, and Kevin’s uncanny ability to shock, amaze, and thoroughly confound a bevy of doctors he seems determined to outpace.

Let us not forget that less than a year ago—just ten days before the epic Kevin’s Rockstars event inspired and entertained so many of us—we nearly lost Kevin to double pneumonia. I recall conversations this past year with those we support, perhaps most notably Kevin and Jonathon, in which these courageous athletes pushed back on help they desperately needed—not out of pride, but out of concern for others. They worried about those we might need to support in the future rather than themselves. That instinct, while unfounded, is as telling as it is humbling.

Over the course of the year, a dozen horse shows ran Babington Benefit Classes—from the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament to Upperville, the Colorado Rockies, Desert Horse Park, MIDA Farm, Traverse City Horse Shows, Wellington International, and many more. When specialized and costly equipment was required, individuals stepped forward without hesitation. When outreach to research institutions and medical experts was needed—sometimes in unexpected places—Harvard, the Schepens Institute, and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis educated and guided us, often through the leadership and persistence of Victoria McCullough.

Alan Griffin organized the Run for Kevin in conjunction with the Palm Beach Marathon, where—remarkably—Kevin’s team, the Foundation’s team, became the largest group to run in celebration of these giants of our sport. This coming circuit, Live Oak International will host a Babington Benefit Classic—the Grand Prix Qualifier in Ocala. Our sincere thanks to Chester Weber and Chloe Reid for making that possible.

Kevin’s Rockstars, returning to Eric Hatfield’s Eye Candy Farm on Sunday, March 8, promises to be nothing short of mind-blowing, given the caliber of talent being assembled and the lessons we continue to learn and apply each year. Fair warning: this event will sell out again. Please visit the KBF website and secure your tables early. Victoria will once again host a lavish Awards Banquet following the MIDA Babington Classic February 25th—an evening that previously drew hundreds of supporters for a warm, inspiring, and unforgettable night, and will undoubtedly do so again.  Great food, great fun and great camaraderie.

So, as I reflect on the year, I must concede that my prowess as an amateur show jumper remains very much a work in progress—never having risen beyond a 1.25m display of what may best be described as ill-advised ambition. Yet the awe-inspiring love I have for this sport, this community, the heroes we support, and the heroes who so unselfishly support them fuels me to do more every single day.  The Foundation has become my life’s Opus in fact I think about it night and day.

To all of you—those affected, and those who make the Foundation’s miracles possible—you have my promise: I will never allow our efforts to become less tenacious, less driven, or less ambitious. Thank you for being not just exceptional athletes, but extraordinary human beings who define a sport as beautiful in spirit as it is in form.

You are, after all, the most beautiful of human beings.

                                                                            Jeff

Jeff Papows, PhD

Chairman – The Babington Foundation

Kevin’s Rockstars 2026 Tickets LIVE!!

The cost of spinal cord recovery has never been higher, and insurance rarely covers the extensive rehab, travel, equipment, and home modifications required for long-term recovery.

That’s where KBF steps in — and why fundraising efforts like Kevin’s Rockstars 2026 are more important than ever.

“The support has been incredible this year,” said Jeff Papows, Chairman of the Foundation. “But as we go into the winter season, when equestrian sport is at its peak, continued fundraising is essential. Your support helps save lives — and we need you.”

🎟️ Tickets are now live for Kevin’s Rockstars Lip Sync & Fundraiser 2026.
Last year’s event sold out — don’t wait to be part of something that changes lives.

🎟 Tickets Now Available

Don’t wait. This event WILL SELL OUT!
Reserve your spot today: Purchase Tickets Here

VIP and General Admission options available.

📅 Event Details:
Kevin’s Rockstars Lip Sync and Fundraiser
🗓 Saturday, March 8, 2026

📍 Eyecandyland Farm, Wellington, Florida
🎉 Cocktails, Cuisine, and the Best Night of the Season

Other Ways to Donate

Your support powers our mission to protect, uplift, and empower riders through recovery assistance, safety advocacy, and education. Here’s how you can help:

💻 Donate Online

Make a secure one-time or recurring donation via our website:
👉 https://kevinbabingtonfoundation.org/donations/

✉️ Mail a Check

Checks can be made payable to:
Kevin Babington Foundation

10 Edgewood Rd.,
Westwood, MA 02090-3136 USA

💼 Corporate or Matching Gifts

Many companies will match your donation. Ask your HR department if your employer participates—or contact us and we’ll help facilitate the process.

🏅 Sponsor an Event

Become a sponsor of one of our upcoming 2026 events (MIDA Farm Classic, Kevin’s Rockstars, or Live Oak International).
To learn more, email us at: contact@kevinbabingtonfoundation.org

Benefits of Giving Before December 31st

Giving before the end of the calendar year provides significant tax advantages and directly fuels our winter programming.

✅ Tax Deduction

The Kevin Babington Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 85-2059430). All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

⏳ Timing Matters

Donations made on or before December 31st, 2025 may be claimed on your 2025 tax return—providing potential savings while supporting a great cause.

🔁 Recurring Gifts Multiply Impact

Consider making your donation a monthly recurring gift to sustain our mission year-round with less effort and greater long-term impact.

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