Category Archives: Phelps Media Group

Phelps Media Group

USET Foundation Honors WEG Athletes and Special Award Winners

Jane Forbes Clark awards Whitney Stone Cup to Tucker Johnson with Brownlee O. Currey. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation Board of Trustees hosted a cocktail reception on Friday, January 28, 2011, to honor the equestrian athletes that represented the United States during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), the recipients of the Foundations’ Gold Medal Club Anniversary Awards, the Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy, and the Whitney Stone Cup. The reception was held at Player’s Club in Wellington, FL.

The reception opened with lovely remarks by Foundation President Jane Forbes Clark, recognizing the efforts of all the equestrian athletes that represented the United States during WEG, as well as their team of supporters. The United States earned a Team and Individual Gold Medal and an Individual Silver Medal in Reining, an Individual Gold Medal in Vaulting, a Team Silver and Individual Bronze Medal in Driving, and two Individual Bronze Medals in Dressage.

The party also recognized members of the Gold Medal Club, the most loyal and generous supporters of the USET Foundation. These individuals have been a vital and essential source of support to the U.S. equestrian teams. Special awards were presented to those supporters recognizing their giving at the Gold Medal Club level for 10, 15, 25 and 30 years.

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Polo Patrons Join the Fight against Breast Cancer at the 10th Annual Challenge of the Americas

Team International from the 2010 Challenge of the Americas Photo Credit: Susan Stickle

Wellington, FL – February 1, 2011 – Featuring more exciting equestrian performances than ever before, the Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas will return to Wellington, FL, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at the beautiful International Polo Club Palm Beach. The evening will get underway at 5:00 p.m. and feature musical dressage team quadrilles and a new and exciting four on four polo challenge.  Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach the event will benefit Play for P.I.N.K (PFP), a partner of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Play for P.I.N.K, which stands for Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, and Knowledge, is a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds to fight breast cancer.  PFP does this by creating and promoting awareness of breast cancer through sporting and lifestyle events including men’s and women’s golf tournaments, tennis, swimming, card games, equestrian events, shopping benefits, spa days and wine tastings.  PFPs commitment is to contribute 100% of all funds raised to their partner The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Since 1996, PFP has donated $18,750,000 to BCRF.  Play for P.I.N.K and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation are proud to share the same vision: Find prevention and a cure in our lifetime.

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NEW Thoroughbred Retirement Program Opens in South Florida

Wellington, FL – The Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA), with the support of Gulfstream Park, Calder Race Course, and the South Florida jockey colony, recognizing the need for a South Florida based Thoroughbred retirement program, has formed TRAC, a retirement, retraining and placement group dedicated to horses that end their racing careers at one of the two race tracks.

TRAC (Thoroughbred Retirement and Adoptive Care) also has strong support from professional jockeys who race in Florida and throughout the United States, industry professionals, businesses and horse lovers. Horses entering the TRAC program receive hands-on care, professional retraining and the chance for a second career. The program strives to find suitable adopters and homes for every horse. Many retired Thoroughbreds move on to second careers in the show world as hunters, jumpers, eventers or dressage horses. Some achieve success on the polo field, on trails, in therapeutic riding programs or simply as loving companions.

“Our efforts depend on a strong alliance between race tracks, industry officials, horsemen, owners, trainers, jockeys and fans,” said Phil Combest, TRAC Advisory Committee member, race horse owner and FHBPA official. “The racing industry is demonstrating its support through purse contributions and annual donations. But we need everyone’s to make sure all our retired horses receive basic care, retraining, and veterinary care,” continued Combest.

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Mason Phelps Joins Robert Dover on the Radio

Robert Dover

Show airs on WBZT (1230 AM) each Tuesday night at 6 p.m.

Wellington, FL – January 24, 2011 – – Mason Phelps, Jr. the President of America’s leading equestrian public relations firm, Phelps Media Group, has been tabbed to be a weekly contributor and guest on the popular radio program hosted by Robert Dover that airs at 6 p.m. on WBZT, AM 1230, a Clear Channel station in South Florida.

Phelps also heads up the highly acclaimed and innovative equestrian news website, www.PhelpsSports.com.

A former Olympic equestrian, and one of the horse industry’s most important insiders, Phelps brings to the airwaves a vast, inside knowledge of everything equestrian, especially in South Florida.

The host of the program, Robert Dover, has earned more honors than any other U.S. Dressage rider in history, competing in six consecutive Olympic Games for the United States Equestrian Team, as well as four World Championship Teams and seven World Cup Finals.

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Charlotte Jacobs Sweeps Major Equitation Classes at WEF I

Charlotte Jacobs aboard Cortes 7. Photo Credit: The Book LLC

Wellington, FL and East Aurora, NY – January 18, 2011 – Charlotte Jacobs, of East Aurora, NY, was unstoppable in the equitation ring to kick off the first week of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.  Jacobs and her mount for the equitation ring, Cortes 7, won the Washington International Horse Show Equitation Class, after winning the Jumper Phase and placing fourth in the Hunter Phase.  Jacobs also won the USEF/Pessoa Medal and were awarded another blue ribbon for the excellent efforts in the prestigious ASPCA Maclay Class.

“Cortes was so amazing this week,” noted 15-year-old junior rider Charlotte Jacobs.  “It was so cold earlier in the week and I was afraid he was going to be a bit fresh.  He was absolutely perfect, and we both felt extremely prepared.  I think in the past year he has really grown up and his performance this week really showed that.  I am so proud of him and excited to continue to compete with him in the equitation for the rest of the season.”

Jacobs also competed aboard Karonda V. Schl’hof Ch and Promised Land, owned by Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables, in the High Junior Jumpers. Jacobs and Promised Land were third in the High Junior Jumper Classic after laying down a beautiful round against the field of several other horse and rider combinations.

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USET Foundation Will Award 2011 Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy to Tiana Coudray

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister had a very successful year in 2010 to garner the 2011 Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy from the USET Foundation. Photo By: Stock Images.

Gladstone, NJ – January 13, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2011 Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy will be talented eventing rider Tiana Coudray. Each year this award is presented to a Young Rider in one of the Olympic disciplines who exemplifies both sportsmanship and horsemanship. In 2011 Coudray had a banner year, winning the Jersey Fresh CCI*** and the Galway Downs International Horse Trials CIC***, as well as leading the U.S. efforts at the Boekelo CCI*** in Holland.

“When the USET Foundation told me that I was the winner of this year’s award I went and looked it up,” commented Coudray. “I was pretty honored to look at the other names on the list throughout the years and think of what those people have gone on to do later in their careers.”

Over the years, Coudray has consistently shown her talent as a young rider. She won Team Gold at the North American Young Riders Championships in both 2004 and 2008, and took home the Individual Silver Medal in 2004. She has won the United States Eventing Association Young Rider of the Year Award an amazing three times in 2005, 2007, and 2009.

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USET Foundation Trustees Tuny Page and Kim Boyer Host Donor Reception to Honor Riders and Thank Supporters

Wellington, FL – January 12, 2011 – On Saturday, January 8, 2011, Tuny and David Page and Kim and Fredrick Boyer hosted a wonderful cocktail reception for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation at the Page residence in Wellington, FL.  The evening’s events were held to honor those who support the sport of Dressage through the USET Foundation and give them the opportunity to meet and mingle with the athletes who benefit from their support.

“I had no idea how much it actually costs to train, transport, coach and really make the team work,” noted 2010 World Equestrian Games Dressage U.S. rider and Olympian Steffen Peters.  “I am so very thankful to the USET Foundation and everyone who supports the Foundation.  The team could not function without their incredible generosity – so thanks again for everything you do for us!”

All four members of the United States Dressage Team who competed at the World Equestrian Games last fall were in attendance on Saturday night, along with many other distinguished Dressage riders. The team was composed of Steffen Peters, Todd Flettrich, Tina Konyot and Katherine Bateson-Chandler.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12937

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW! Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Announces Dates and Details for the 2011 Dinner Dance!

Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center will be hosting its annual Benefit Auction Dinner & Dance on Friday, February 18, 2011, at International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. Photo Courtesy of the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.

Loxahatchee, FL – January 11, 2011 – Get out your planners and your cell phones to schedule yourself for a night you don’t want to miss in Wellington, FL.  Friday, February 18, 2011 is Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center’s Benefit Auction Dinner & Dance, which will be held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. The theme for this year’s gala is “My First Pony,” and it will again feature the hugely popular mechanical bull riding competition.

“My First Pony” is this year’s theme, and will showcase riders from all levels and disciplines and their first ponies.  These riders will include Mason Phelps, Tuny Page, and Tami Hoag along with riders from the VTRC whose first ponies are mounts owned by VTRC.

After last year’s success with the Mechanical Bull riding competition, VTRC has stepped it up a notch this year to add another layer of excitement to the Annual Dinner Dance.  This year, there will be three “Buck Off” events held at the Players Club on Thursday nights before the Dinner Dance.  These dates are Thursday, January 27, 2011, Thursday February 3, 2011 and Thursday February 10, 2011.  Each of these “Buck Off” Events will serve as the qualifying rounds for the Final “Buck Off” Event, which will be held on the night of the Dinner Dance.  The final teams qualified will compete against the winners from last year’s competition, the “Bad Boy Vets” made up of Bill Patterson, Bryan Dubynsky, Johnny Jack, and Travis Laas.

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USET Foundation Hosts Luncheon to Wrap Up 5th Annual George Morris Horsemastership Clinic

Wellington, FL – January 11, 2011 – Saturday, January 8, 2011 marked the final day of the weeklong George Morris Horsemastership Clinic held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) where 12 of the country’s top young riders showcased their skills.  At the completion of the final day, all of the participants had the opportunity to enjoy luncheon hosted by the United States Equestrian Team Foundation at the International Club at PBIEC.

Participants in the clinic included:
Ali Wolff – New Albany, OH
Hayley Barnhill – Collierville, TN
Karen Polle – New York, NY
Brittany Hurst – Jackson, NJ
Taylor Ann Adams – Ocala, FL
Kelsey Thatcher – Riverton, UT
Lillie Keenan – New York, NY
Molly Braswell – Ocala, FL
Chase Boggio – Canton, GA
Victoria Birdsall – Topsfield, MA
Kate Haley – Orchard Park, NY
Anna Hallene – Hinsdale, IL

Throughout the week, riders completed five mounted sessions with Morris, and were also treated to 10 other presentations from various specialists ranging from United States Team Veterinarian Tim Ober to Olympians McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, Anne Kursinski and Beezie Madden, as well as ASPCA Ambassadors Georgina Bloomberg and Brianne Goutal.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12927

Tucker S. Johnson Will Be Honored with the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup from USET Foundation

Tucker S. Johnson earned the Individual Bronze Medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games during the Four-In-Hand Combined Driving competition. Photo By: Susan J. Stickle.

Gladstone, NJ – January 10, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that Combined Driver Tucker S. Johnson of Hobe Sound, Florida, is the recipient of the 2011 Whitney Stone Cup. The award is presented annually to an active competitor who displays consistent excellence in international competition and high standards of sportsmanlike conduct while serving as an ambassador for the United States and equestrian sport. Johnson is a tremendously accomplished driver who helped lead the United States to a Team Silver Medal as well as receiving an Individual Bronze Medal during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

This is the second year that Johnson has received the Whitney Stone Cup, after being awarded the prestigious honor in 2001. Johnson now plans to retire from the competitive sport as he spent 2010 achieving many milestones. Along with other achievements, Johnson guided his Four-In-Hand team to a second place finish at the Land Rover International Driving Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May.

After helping the United States win a Team Silver Medal at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, Johnson went on to a repeat performance at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. He was a member of the Silver Medal Team and after earning a 150.06 over the three phases of competition he took home the Individual Bronze Medal, achieving his personal best at a World Championship event.

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