Category Archives: Phelps Media Group

Phelps Media Group

Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center Prepares for Special Olympic State Equestrian Games

Thomas Mickel represented Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center aboard Belle in a Western Equitation class with the help of volunteer Jamie Miller during the Special Olympic Area Equestrian Games. Photo Courtesy of VTRC

 Loxahatchee, FL – May 18, 2010 – Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center (VTRC) is currently preparing to participate in the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games, which will be held May 21-22, 2010, in Tampa, Florida. Sixteen riders qualified for the Games after competing at the Area level March 27, 2010, in Ft. Pierce, FL.

During the Special Olympic State Equestrian Games riders will have the opportunity to compete in English and western equitation, trail ride competition, dressage, and pole bending. The riders representing VTRC range from needing full support with a leader and two sidewalks to independent riders who walk, trot, and canter on their own. They also have several riders competing in the training level dressage tests.

The qualified riders have been working on dressage test, equitation skills, pole bending, and barrel racing to prepare for the exciting competition. In addition to the 12 students traveling to the Games, six horses and 17 volunteers will be in Tampa for the event to support VTRC.

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Pegasus Therapeutic Riding’s Pegasus Farm Chapter Announces New Home for The Rider’s Closet

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Collaborates with Georgina Bloomberg's The Rider's Closet. Photo is taken of the new location of The Rider's Closet. Photo © 2010

Brewster, New York – May 18, 2010 – Pegasus Therapeutic Riding’s Pegasus Farm chapter announced today that The Rider’s Closet program, developed by Georgina Bloomberg, will now be based out of Pegasus Therapeutic Riding’s Pegasus Farm chapter in Brewster, NY. The program originated four years ago, when Bloomberg wanted to donate her lightly used show clothing to a good cause, but was not sure where to start. The Rider’s Closet began as an endeavor to provide a place where all equestrians could donate their clothing so that other riders who may not be able to purchase their own riding attire and equipment could take advantage of these otherwise expensive items that had been outgrown, but were still in good condition.

Thus far, The Rider’s Closet has already proven to be of great value to a variety of programs, including, but not limited to a number of intercollegiate riding teams.  While The Rider’s Closet has been growing, so has Bloomberg’s equestrian career. Over the last few years, the demand has risen, and with Bloomberg traveling to various equestrian competitions around the world, she wanted to move The Rider’s Closet from a home-based operation, to a new home where it could get more attention. “I’m really excited about this move,” said Bloomberg. “It is a great situation for both the Rider’s Closet and the Pegasus Therapeutic Riding program. They have a first class program, one that I’ve been really impressed with over the years. I think the move will benefit a lot of equestrians on a number of different levels.”

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The United States Para-Dressage Team Thanks Kentucky Equine Research for Housing before World Equestrian Games

Kentucky Equine Research Logo. Photo © 2010 Courtesy of Client.

Thousand Oaks, CA – May 19, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to thank Kentucky Equine Research whose offices in Versailles, KY will house the ten United States Para-Dressage Team horses prior to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  This opportunity allows the horses a week to relax from travel before their debut at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY.

The USPEA is grateful to the entire Kentucky Equine Research group especially Founder and President Joe Pagan.  Hope Hand, President of the USPEA noted, “We are so thankful that Joe and the Kentucky Equine Research facility are lending their facilities to us prior to the World Equestrian Games.  The World Equestrian Games will be our first competition as the United States Para-Equestrian Team, so we want to make sure our horses are ready to perform to the best of their ability.  The Kentucky Equine Research team is an important factor in our Road to Kentucky.”

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Four Tricolored Ribbons for Hunt Tosh and His Mounts at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

Hunt Tosh and Tasty Champions of the Regular Conformation Hunters. Photo © 2010 Lindsay McCall for PMG

Lexington, KY – May 13, 2010 – The second day of competition for the professional hunter divisions concluded today at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show located at the world-class Kentucky Horse Park.  In the Stonelea Arena, the hunters competed for their division championships right before a short but strong rain shower rolled through.  Hunt Tosh was the name to beat today.  He had numerous championship wins including the Green Conformation Hunters, aboard Trade Winds; the Regular Working Hunters, aboard Lonestar; and the Regular Conformation Hunters, on Tasty.  Lastly, Tosh added a reserve championship in the First Year Green Hunters aboard Good Humor.

Today’s competition began with the First Year Green Working Hunters followed by the Green Conformation Hunters, the Second Year Green Hunters, the Regular Conformation Hunters, and then finally the Regular Working Hunters.

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The United States Para-Equestrian Association Hosts First Ever Para-Webathon for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Susan Treabass is the co-host of the 2010 Para-Equestrian Webathon on June 8, 2010. Photo © 2010 Scott Stanley.

Thousand Oaks, CA – May 10, 2010 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) would like to invite everyone to the First Ever Para-Webathon.  The event is scheduled for June 8, 2010, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  The First Ever Para-Webathon will be broadcasted from the studios of Alltech and will be hosted by the 2010 Radio Show announcers Glenn the Geek, Samantha Clark, and Para-Equestrian Susan Treabass.  The 2010 Radio show is the unofficial podcast about the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The purpose of the Webathon is to reach out to all equestrian enthusiasts and the entire nation to help raise capital for the United States Para-Dressage team, which will be competing at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Presented by The Horse Radio Network, the 2010 Radio Show, Alltech, and the USPEA, the live Webathon will bring the Para-Equestrian discipline to the forefront of everyone’s minds.  During the Webathon, many of the inspirational athlete’s stories will be highlighted.  This exciting event will assist the Para-Equestrian Athletes in raising awareness and funds for this intriguing discipline.  In the past, costs have ranged around $20,000 per competitor, and this Webathon will be an important asset to the Para-Equestrians.

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U.S. Dressage Chef D’Equipe Anne Gribbons Praises Todd Flettrich on Preparation for the 2010 World Equestrian Games

Todd Flettrich and Otto. Photo by: Susan J. Stickle

Wellington, FL – May 10, 2010 – Based in Coatesville, PA, and Wellington, FL, Todd Flettrich has had a successful dressage career and is well on his way to qualifying for this year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG).  Anne Gribbons, a renowned rider and trainer who has known Flettrich since the start of his career, has watched Flettrich as a young rider, has competed with him and against him, and has judged him in competition for years. Now the United States Dressage Team Chef D’Equipe, Gribbons watched Flettrich and his Grand Prix mount Otto very closely this season and thinks that it looks promising for the talented duo to qualify for the U.S. Team that will compete at the WEG in the fall.

Cherry Knoll Farm purchased Otto, a 13-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Rambo X Rampal), in 2009 and he and Flettrich have since formed an excellent partnership and have earned several top placings throughout the country.  Gribbons watched Flettrich and Otto ride in educational clinics put on by the United States Equestrian Federation in the fall and has followed every qualifier for the WEG that the pair has shown in. “I must say that Todd is blessed with a confident and experienced horse that is very ambitious and can do all of the movements very well,” Gribbons noted. “We have lovely horses coming along, but some of them at this point are still green and that is not Todd’s horse, his horse is very competent and confident, so that is great.”

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Newman’s Own Foundation Awards $25,000 Grant to The EQUUS Foundation

WESTPORT, CT – May 10, 2010 – The EQUUS Foundation received a $25,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation to support its mission to educate the public about horses; provide financial support through the award of grants; offer insight on management and financial practices of the charities through a thorough review of their operations; and provide a network of interested individuals for volunteer recruitment.

“We are so grateful to Newman’s Own Foundation for their generosity, especially now in these difficult times for charities,” said Jenny Belknap, EQUUS Board Chairman. “This grant will help us build a more sustainable environment for horses and for the people whose lives they are benefiting, and enhance the ability of charities across America focused on equestrian and horse-related issues to accomplish their missions. What a majority of the general public is not aware of is in providing horses with homes and useful lives, people benefit, especially children.”

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The United States Para-Equestrian Association Joins Phelps Media Group, Inc.

Logo of the United States Para-Equestrian Association. Photo © 2010 Logo created by Deb Phillips at MagnumCreative.com.

Thousand Oaks, California – May 4, 2010 – Phelps Media Group, Inc. International (PMG), a leading public relations firm specializing in the equestrian industry, is pleased to announce that the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) has joined the expanding list of clients. The USPEA includes every equestrian discipline that is practiced by athletes with physical disabilities specifically dressage.  Each rider or driver competes under the eighth discipline, the Para-Equestrian discipline, of the United States Equestrian Federation.  This year at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games the Para-Equestrian discipline will make history.  The USEF High Performance Para-Equestrian Dressage team will compete as an FEI sport for the first time at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games held in Lexington, KY.

The USPEA provides programs, clinics, and competition opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities.  Riders compete under the USEF rules during their competitions and many of the athletes compete at the highest level of their sport.

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End of Season Celebration Raises over $20,000 for Charlie Weaver, Courtney King-Dye, and Equestrian Aid Foundation

Robert Dover and Don Principe. Photos © 2010 Lauren Fisher/PMG.

Wellington, FL – May 3, 2010 – Robert Ross, in conjunction with his office, Keller Williams Realty, hosted a grand gala on the property of his latest listing at 3410 Old Hampton Drive in Wellington. The amazing facility was open to the public for one evening and featured cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, tours of the breathtaking facility and a very special Musical Freestyle performance by the one and only Robert Dover. Over 200 people attended the End of Season Celebration, which was a huge success, raising over $20,000 to benefit the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF) as well as injured riders Charlie Weaver and Courtney King-Dye.

Delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails were provided at every turn as guests toured the amazing barn and living quarters on this 15,366 sq. ft. property.  Volunteers displayed silent auction items to raise money for the Equestrian Aid Foundation, and Robert Dover’s freestyle was the grand finale to an amazing evening to raise money for fellow equestrians.

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Happy Z and Wilhelm Genn Wow Crowd with Victory in Inaugural $40,000 Nutrena Show Jumping Grand Prix in Madison

Happy Z and Wilhelm Genn won the $40,000 Nutrena Grand Prix at the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison, WI, in front of a crowd of 10,000. Photos © 2010 Jon Kassel.

Fantastic Reception as Showplace Productions Brings World Class Jumping to Midwest Horse Fair

April 27, 2010 – Madison, WI – The 10,000 seat John Deere Coliseum at Madison’s Alliant Energy Center was standing room only Saturday night as five of 38 entries passed the course’s first test and were asked back for the tie-breaking round. Ultimately it was the feisty chestnut mare Happy Z and Ohio’s Wilhelm Genn who laid down an unbeatable jump off track for the win. Laura Linback and As di Villagana, competing last, also put in a flawless round to finish a close second.

The difficult course was designed by Puerto Rico’s Hector Loyola in collaboration with Pat Boyle, whose company Showplace Productions managed the first ever Show Jumping event at the Midwest Horse Fair.

“It was a great event, Hector and Pat built a very nice course, and the audience was the best I have ever experienced; they were supportive, electrifying, generous even. When you had some rails they made you feel like you were still doing something special,” said the 49-year-old Genn, who first competed in the United States 22 years ago before moving from his native Germany to Lebanon, Ohio.

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