Category Archives: Phelps Media Group

Phelps Media Group

Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, Hunter/Equitation, National Horse Show, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

2011 National Horse Show to Be Held at Kentucky Horse Park

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The 2011 National Horse Show will be held at the new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Photo Courtesy of Alltech.

New York, NY – February 23, 2011 – The National Horse Show Association of America, Limited (NHSAA) is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals as well as a full complement of hunters and jumpers in 2011. These exciting events will be held November 2-6, 2011, at the new Alltech Indoor Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. For the past five years, the ASPCA Alfred B. Maclay Finals have been held at the Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in Syracuse, NY. After lengthy discussions with the top professionals in the hunter and equitation divisions, the National Horse Show determined that it is in the best interest of the sport, equitation division, and the Maclay to relocate the competition to a new venue.

The Board of Directors for the National Horse Show is looking forward to a bright future at the Kentucky Horse Park. “We’re very fortunate that Syracuse gave us a home until we could sort things out. It was a great stepping stone for what is going to be the future of the National Horse Show,” noted President Mason Phelps, Jr. “It is certainly our desire to make the National Horse Show in Kentucky as similar to Madison Square Garden as possible. The very first objective is to do the best we can by the Maclay Finals.”

“The Kentucky Horse Park is honored to be the new site of the National Horse Show’s ASPCA Maclay Finals,” said Kentucky Horse Park Executive Director John Nicholson. “I am personally elated and we are committed to do all that we can to make the show worthy of its grand history.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Thanks International Polo Club Palm Beach for Continued Support

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Margaret Duprey's Otto, ridden at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by Todd Flettrich. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – February 21, 2011 – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach, which forms part of the world’s most prestigious dressage series, will take place on March 9-11, 2011 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, FL. The preservation of WDM Palm Beach is due to the generous and enthusiastic support of its presenting sponsor, International Polo Club Palm Beach.

When it was announced that the 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach was to be cancelled, it appeared that the world’s richest dressage competition would disappear from North America. However, the Goodman family, International Polo Club Palm Beach and its members stepped in quickly to ensure that the show would go on. “In my talks with Mr. Goodman, he showed a profound interest in not only saving the Masters for 2011, but to extend IPC’s commitment for the long-term,” says WDM Managing Director John van de Laar. “WDM, IPC and Wellington Classic Dressage created a three year agreement, so from now on it can only get better.”

A dressage competition sponsored by a polo club isn’t as odd as it sounds. Events featuring dressage, such as the breast cancer fundraiser Challenge of the Americas, have been held at the International Polo Club for the past number of years. Approximately 20 percent of IPC members are involved with dressage in South Florida, including International Dressage Rider Arlene ‘Tuny’ Page.

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Phelps Media Group

Pinata Ponies to Help the Horses of Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue

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February 18, 2011 — Wellington, FL — Each week a special Pinata Pony will be around the show grounds in Wellington. Tickets are sold for the Pinata Pony; the proceeds will benefit the horses of Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue. You can participate by contacting or visiting the vendor who has the pony and is supplying the major gift in the pony. The pony is filled with goodies and a special item.

This week the pony is at Michelle Farmer’s store at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.  Michelle has donated one of her unique necklaces, the “Kathryn” shown here with 14kt gold, rust leather and white baroque pearls, valued at $400.

Participation tickets are $10 each. For more information on Michelle Farmer’s designs you can visit www.michellefarmer.com. For directions to Michelle’s store, where tickets can be purchased please contact 516 769 3365 or email michelle@michellefarmer.com.

Each week the location of the new Pinata Pony will be listed on the website of Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue at www.PTHR.org. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the rescue. This week you have the opportunity to not only help the horses but also receive a beautiful one of a kind necklace, along with a pony full of goodies… that is if you can bear to break open the pretty little pony. Michelle has picked out a beautiful pony this week.

Media Contact: Mason Phelps
Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
phone 561.753.3389  fax 561.753.3386
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com

Community/Charity, Conferences, Contributors/Press, Equine Assisted Therapy, Events, Phelps Media Group

Third and Final Buck Is Thursday, Hosted by Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center

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Member of Team Florida Community Bank rides the Bull. Photo Courtesy of the Client

Loxahatchee, FL – February 10, 2011 – Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center is hosting its final “Buck Off” Event this Thursday night February 10, 2011. The event is sponsored by Vetericyn and is held at the Players Club. The evening’s winning team will join the two other teams from the other two Buck Offs as qualifiers to compete at the VTRC Annual Dinner held on Friday, February 18, 2011.

Guests can perfect their bull riding techniques before the competition from 7-8pm for $10 per ride. Starting at 8p.m. the competition begins with three hours of action packed bull riding fun. Teams of four can ride for $100 and individuals can ride for $30. All participants receive a BUCK OFF t-shirt. The winning team receives a ticket to VTRC Benefit Auction Dinner and a spot to compete in the finals, held at the International Polo Club February 18, 2011 during the VTRC Benefit Auction Dinner. This year’s winning teams will compete against The Bad Boy Vets last year’s “Buck Off” champions.

Floridian Community Bank secured their spot in the first week of competition. Winners of the second “Buck Off” were Team Bobbi’s Boys which included Jimmy Fairclough, Turea Wilson, Trevor Ritter, and Kevin McCarthy. Only one more round to go so don’t miss it!

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*Featured/Spotlights, Art/Photography, Community/Charity, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Phelps Media Group

Susan J. Stickle Named 2011 Photographer for Challenge of the Americas & World Dressage Masters

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Steiner and Hoag from the 2010 Challenge of the Americas. Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle.

Wellington, FL – February 9, 2011 – Noted and distinguished photographer Susan J. Stickle has been announced as the professional photographer for two exciting events that are coming to Wellington the week of March 10-13.  The World Dressage Masters returns to Wellington March 9-11, 2011, for the third year on its international tour, with three different competitions for dressage enthusiasts and the public alike held at the Jim Brandon Center.  The weekend events wrap up with the tenth annual Challenge of the Americas March 12, 2011, which includes a Grand Prix team dressage quadrille and musical freestyle competition.  This year, the Challenge will also feature a four-on-four polo match featuring patron level players.  The Challenge is held at International Polo Club Palm Beach and benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Stickle, originally from Maplewood, New Jersey, has been shooting professionally since 1995, covering local, regional and National Dressage championships. She bought her first camera at age 17 with her very first paycheck after always having an interest in photography.  She began riding western at age 20, and then moved to a dressage barn where she fell in love with the sport.

“At that time, there were no real professional photographers shooting the actual classes, only the awards,” noted Stickle.  “We just shot each other and our friends, and never looked back.”  Stickle started her business, Susan J. Stickle Photography, with longtime partner Jonna Koellhoffer and the two continue working together today. Susan rode dressage competitively with her chestnut Thoroughbred mare, Bonnie. The pair were high score champions at training level and went on to compete thru the lower levels. Her love of horses and her knowledge of dressage have given her a wonderfully keen eye that shows in her work.

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Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, EQUUS Foundation, Events, Phelps Media Group

Robert Orthwein Named 2011 Equestrian Idol Winner

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Catherine Herman, Robert Orthwein, Patricia Keenan, and Rebecca Brewer Photo Credit: Alyson Sanderford/PMG.

WELLINGTON, FL – February 7, 2011 – Equestrians from all disciplines gathered on Friday, February 4, 2011, to enjoy the Equestrian Idol Musical Talent Show presented by Tiffany & Co. Palm Beach Gardens where the top prize of the evening was awarded to Robert Orthwein. Six talented performers vied for the crown, but Orthwein’s unique and incredible performance won over the judges to earn him the 2011 title. Equestrian Idol, co-chaired by Catherine Herman and Patricia Keenan, was the first event to be held in the “new” Grande Pavilion at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, Florida. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy cutting edge culinary catering trends and the latest in food styling by the newly formed International Polo Club Catering Company.

The EQUUS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation that seeks to educate the public on the significant impact of horses in our everyday lives and award grants to charities that use the horse for the benefit of the public, promote horse welfare, and advance the equestrian sport.  The Foundation has awarded over $1.5 million in grants, thanks almost entirely to events like Equestrian Idol.

Mason Phelps, Jr. emceed the 5th year of the event, kicking things off by thanking everyone for attending and acknowledging the many wonderful sponsors. In addition to title sponsor Tiffany & Co. Palm Beach Gardens, other generous sponsors include Buick and GMC, the Official Vehicle Sponsor of The EQUUS Foundation. Gold Medal sponsors include: Mr. & Mrs. Michael Carpenter, the Ann T. D’Addario Family Foundation, Equestrian Sport Productions, Britta Lippert and Caroline Moran. Silver Medal sponsors include: Jennifer Burger & Meredith Lipke, and Visse Wedell. Bronze Medal sponsors include: the Adikes-Hill Family Foundation, Patricia Adikes-Hill & Rosalind Schaefer, Bobbie & Derek Braun & Split Rock Farm, Jane Forbes Clark, Louisburg Farm, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Orthwein, Chris & Jessica Pasmore, Quiet Corner Farm, the Steeple Chase Farm Foundation, and Jenny Wren Sutton.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13230

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

World Dressage Masters Palm Beach Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach

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Wellington, FL – February 7, 2011 – Dressage is the oldest of equestrian disciplines and the basis for true harmony between rider and horse. The Greek philosopher Xenophon wrote the first recorded book on horsemanship in 350 BC. At that time and long after, horses were trained for warfare. During the Renaissance the riding schools of Vienna and Saumur contributed a lot in sophisticating dressage.

However only in the 20th century the public discovered the beauty of the ‘dancing horses’. The 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm were the first to stage dressage on an Olympic level. Dressage has never left the Olympic podium since and with the introduction of the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music in 1996 in Atlanta, dressage quickly gained popularity all over the world. Grand Prix Dressage, the highest expression of horse training, is considered to be the art of equestrian sport.

To compliment this fantastic sport and to contribute to its further internationalization and growth, sports marketing agency SportBizz, equestrian innovator Exquis have launched the World Dressage Masters (WDM) initiative in 2008. In 2011 the World Dressage Masters will feature four top class CDI5* shows:

9-11 March, Palm Beach, Florida USA

2-5 June, Munich, GER (final Nürnberger WDM Rider Ranking)

7-9 July, Flasterbo, SWE

29-31 July, Hickstead, GBR

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Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

World Dressage Masters Coming to Palm Beach

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Noreen O'Sullivan and John Flanagan will be the management team for the 2011 World Dressage Masters Palm Beach. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL (February 8, 2011) – The World Dressage Masters Palm Beach presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach is set to take place at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on March 9-11, 2011. The World Dressage Masters presented by Axel Johnson Group is the world’s richest dressage series, with 100,000 Euros in prize money offered at the Palm Beach event alone. It attracts many of the world’s top competitors, including Olympic and World Championship medalists.  Twenty of the world’s top ranked dressage pairs from Europe, the US, and Canada will be invited to compete in this prestigious event.

The American leg of the Masters, North America’s only CDI5* competition, was in danger of being cancelled for 2011, but thanks to the generous support of the Goodman family, International Polo Club Palm Beach and the show management team of Wellington Classic Dressage, the show will go on. Wellington Classic Dressage has entered into an agreement to host the World Dressage Masters Palm Beach for the next three years.

“On behalf of Wellington Classic Dressage, we are honored to have the opportunity to host this very prestigious event, with the help and support of our presenting sponsor International Polo Club Palm Beach and Akiko Yamazaki,” says Noreen O’Sullivan, show manager for Wellington Classic Dressage.

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Awards, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, Phelps Media Group

USET Foundation Recognizes Loyal and Generous Supporters

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USET Foundation President Jane Forbes Clark with the 25 Year Award recipients from the Gold Medal Club. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL – February 3, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to recognize the generous support of their Gold Medal Club (GMC) members. The Gold Medal club is the lifeblood of the USET Foundation, accounting for nearly 80% of individual contributions each year, and is comprised of members who contribute a minimum of $1,000 or more annually. On Friday, January 28, 2011, the Board of Trustees hosted a cocktail reception recognizing GMC Members that have made the USET Foundation a priority in their charitable giving for 10, 15, 25 and 30 years.

The GMC members have been a vital and essential source of support to the U.S. equestrian teams. For the last 10 years, the following GMC members have continued to generously support the USET Foundation: The Chronicle of the Horse, Suzanne Dansby Bollman, Brendan & Wendy Furlong, Elizabeth L. Johnson, Deborah Anne Levy, Mr. & Mrs. Southwood Morcott, Mr. & Mrs. J. David Page, Peapack-Gladstone Bank, Rosalie & Bethany Peslar, Frank J. Ponzio, Mr. & Mrs. Carl Segal, H. Donnan Sharp, Gretchen Wallerich and Nancy Hamill Winter.

Receiving the 15 Year Award was the California Dressage Society, Armand & Alison Leone, Robert V. Lindsay, Mr. & Mrs. Walter McPhail, Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Parsky, Mr. & Mrs. Mark P. Piwowar and Mr. & Mrs. Eric L. Straus.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, Phelps Media Group

Dressage under the Stars Returns to Wellington Tonight to Kick Off Third Season

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Dressage under the Stars Logo. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – Tonight marks the opening night for Dressage under the Stars, sponsored this evening by Quantum Saddle Ltd. Held at The world famous Players Club Bar & Grille, which is the premiere venue for International caliber competition, riders will allow their equine partners to shine under the stars. The high energy and hugely popular “musical freestyles” shall take place patio-side where an audience of over 400 will sip cocktails and dine both ring side and on the second story patio.

Each Wednesday during the winter equestrian season in Palm Beach, the elegance of dressage is showcased under the magic of starlight. In only its third season, DRESSAGE UNDER THE STARS has become one of The Winter Equestrian calendar’s most anticipated events. Five horse and rider combinations perform weekly for cash prizes and the opportunity to return to for the eighth week’s Champion round where the winner takes away a grand prize consisting of lavish gifts and a very large check. This event consistently attracts the BEST international caliber riders in south Florida.

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