Tag Archives: Robert Dover

Six-time Olympian and American Dressage Icon Robert Dover to Visit Because of Horses April 19

Listen to Elise’s conversation with Robert Dover on the Because of Horses podcast, Friday, April 19

Robert Dover’s professional and competitive accolades have left a legacy unmatched by any other American dressage rider. A dressage specialist since the age of 19, Robert’s dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence have proven influential in raising the standard within the sport in the U.S.

Robert made his first Olympic appearance at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games at the age of 28. He went on to represent the United States at the next five consecutive Olympic Games, earning four bronze medals along the way. In addition, Robert rode on four World Equestrian Games teams. In 1987, he made history by becoming the first American to win the Aachen Grand Prix since 1960, defeating six-time German Olympic gold medalist Reiner Klimke in the process.

After retiring from the competitive arena, Robert served as the technical advisor/chef d’Équipe for The Dutta Corp/U.S. Dressage Team from 2013 through the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Under his leadership, the team earned a gold medal at the 2015 Pan Am Games, a bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, and a silver at the 2018 World Equestrian Games. He has served on the U.S. Olympic committee Athlete Advisory Council and the U.S. Equestrian Team Dressage committee.

Robert is well-regarded as a coach to both established and up-and-coming international pairs. He played a critical role in fundraising for the high-performance competition and training program and has taught in several growth and development programs, seeking to increase the depth and skill of riders aiming for the international ring.

In 2007, Robert partnered with the Fox Reality Channel to create and promote a TV show called “The Search for America’s Next Equestrian Star: Dressage.” A field of 400 applicants was whittled down to just six who competed for the chance to become Robert’s second assistant trainer at his Romance Farm in Wellington, Florida, along with other prizes. He also is the creator, producer, and master of ceremonies for “American Equestrians Got Talent” that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for high-performance equestrian sport.

But Robert’s impact on the equestrian community extends beyond just the dressage arena. In 1996, he founded the Equestrian Aid Foundation, an organization which financially assists equestrians suffering from life-threatening illness, catastrophic accident, or injury. He remains involved as the chairman emeritus.

Through his new Robert Squared, a line of luxury vegan leather tack and equipment, he gives a portion of all the proceeds to Equestrian Aid Foundation, Brooke USA, and Danny & Ron’s Rescue.

For his overall horsemanship and dedication to the sport, in 1994 Robert was named the U.S. Olympic Male Equestrian Athlete of the Year. He was inducted into the Roemer Foundation/U.S. Dressage Federation Hall of Fame in 2008.

For more information, go to BecauseofHorses.com.

Robert Dover to Serve as US Dressage Technical Advisor

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to announce that Robert Dover will act as Technical Advisor in addition to serving as Chef d’Equipe at agreed upon U.S. Dressage Team competitions. He will also continue to play a significant role in fundraising for U.S. Dressage programs.

“I am thrilled and honored to remain in the position of Dressage Technical Advisor for the USEF,” said Dover. “I look forward to continuing to work with staff, volunteers and athletes to produce training and programs for sustained excellence for the U.S. Equestrian Dressage Team.”

Dover assumed the U.S. Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor role in 2013. Under his leadership, the U.S. Dressage Team returned to the podium at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, winning a Team Bronze medal. A six-time U.S. Olympian and four-time Olympic Bronze medalist, Dover has spearheaded the development of an effective pipeline program focused on maintaining U.S. Dressage’s standard of excellence across all levels.

Alongside his Technical Advisor role, Robert will continue to lead the fundraising efforts with which he has been so successful over the last three years. The funds he has helped raise have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the programs.

“Robert has done so many positive things for U.S. Dressage. From returning our team to the Olympic podium to growing our development program, there is no one better to lead U.S. dressage,” said USEF President Chrystine Tauber. “As an athlete, chef d’equipe, or technical advisor, it has been wonderful to see the amazing impact he has had on this sport and our athletes. I know Robert will work hard to build upon this success.”

Dover will serve as the U.S. Dressage Technical Advisor for the next two years.

From the USEF Communications Department

Carol Cohen Presents Inaugural Global Dressage Visionary Award to Robert Dover

Photo courtesy of JRPR.

Wellington, FL (January 22, 2016) – The first week of the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, Florida played host to scores of professional and amateur dressage riders. This energetic and competitive environment was the perfect place for the inaugural presentation of Carol Cohen’s Global Dressage Visionary Award, which was presented to Team USA chef d’equipe, Robert Dover. Carol Cohen, a Wellington, Florida dressage visionary and founding member of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, was pleased to name Dover as the first recipient of the prestigious award. Cohen will be presenting the Global Dressage Visionary Award during all CDI weeks of the world-renowned dressage festival throughout the rest of the season.

Dover, a six-time Olympic athlete and the current chef d’equipe of the U.S. Dressage Team, has been involved with the Adequan Global Dressage Festival since its inception. “I thought there was an opportunity that was being missed here,” Dover said, recalling his thoughts from before this international show circuit existed. He realized that an unused polo field in the South Florida horse community would be a perfect venue to renew interest in the sport of dressage in the community – where the hunter, jumper, and polo disciples had already caught the world’s attention.

Dover’s road to the head of the American dressage team all began when his former Olympic coach, Colonel Bengt Ljungquist, urged Dover to carry forward what he had been taught. “I had no idea what he meant by that,” Dover said. “I was 18 years old. It wasn’t until much later in my life that I reflected back on it and realized that he was saying I was going to have some role in the sport bigger than I even knew.” Now, Dover is coaching and training hopefuls for Team USA, which is planning to go for the gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cohen, an FEI-level dressage competitor herself and a sponsor of the 2016 Adequan Global Dressage Festival, created the Global Visionary Dressage Award to recognize individuals who have been instrumental in the growth and promotion of classical dressage in America. Cohen honored Dover with an engraved glass Global Visionary Dressage Award trophy. Rewarding dressage icons like Dover is important to Cohen, who says that dressage has made an incredible impression on her life. “This sport – I feel it,” she said. “It’s my passion. I care about it very much.”

Cohen has also been instrumental in creating the first Adequan Global Dressage Festival Leadline class, which will begin on January 29 as a kick-off to the FEI Grand Prix Freestyle competition. She is sponsoring the class in an effort to bring new dressage riders into the discipline. “Our community needs to foster the future riders of the sport, and my hope is that the leadline class becomes a recognized division in the future,” she said.

Not only is Cohen a passionate advocate for the sport of dressage, she is also active in the local Wellington, Florida community as a licensed Real Estate Agent under the umbrella of Engel & Völkers real estate brokers. Like the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, Engel & Völkers’ presence is substantial in the Wellington area as well as throughout the world.

For more information about Carol Cohen and her listings at Engel & Völkers Real Estate in Wellington, please visit carolcohen.evusa.com. To see Carol Cohen award Robert Dover in the Global Dressage Visionary Award presentation video, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja4P34Y3uG4&feature=youtu.be.

Contact: Carol Cohen
561-756-4844
carol.cohen@evusa.com
carolcohen.evusa.com

Talented US Hopefuls Gain Valuable Knowledge at USEF/USET Foundation Dressage Pipeline Clinic

Lindsey Brewin and Vaillant in the Youth Section with Robert Dover. Photo By: Carrie Wirth.

Gladstone, NJ – October 14, 2014 – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation held the second Dressage Pipeline Clinic, one of a series of events aimed at pairing the country’s top dressage educators with talented future prospects for international competition.

USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor, Robert Dover, USEF Developing Coach, Debbie McDonald, and USEF Developing Horse Coach, Scott Hassler, came together at Linda and Michael Fowler’s Epona Farm in Thousand Oaks, California, on Oct. 11-12 to help showcase, develop and mentor top horses and athletes. The clinic was made possible by USET Foundation trustee Betsy Juliano and Havensafe Farm.

“Because Michael has put up his ranch as a training base for the USET Foundation, we had already had Robert and Debbie come a couple of times,” said Button Baker, who helped plan for the success of the clinic. “So when the pipeline clinic came around, we asked, ‘Can we run it?’ and Michael said ‘yes’.”

“The clinic provides encouragement on all levels – young horses and young riders – and brings people in to get into the spirit of what the sport is all about,” said Fowler. “A perfect outcome of events like these would be more interest in dressage – more people supporting it and raising the standard and the quality. We’re just happy to host the event.”

The participating athletes received individual lessons on their horses and took part in educational sessions focused on fitness and sports psychology as well as how to manage relations with owners, sponsors and the media.

“The two pipeline clinics that the USEF and the USET Foundation have put on so far have caused a great deal of excitement in the community and a feeling of progress toward our shared goal- not just excellence but medal winning,” said Dover. “I am hopeful that we see that everyone is taking part, and riders, horses and auditors go home feeling like they’ve gained something. I hope they will have an ‘ah-ha’ moment that will change their life.”

Ashlyn De Groot, from DG Bar Ranch in Hanford, California, was selected for the clinic and brought her 6-year-old mare, Dalina DG, a Dutch Warmblood mare by Jazz.

“It’s such an honor to be here,” De Groot said. “This is the first time that Scott [Hassler] has had a one-on-one with me. He’s helped me a little bit at horse shows just watching me and giving me pointers. I thank Scott for the support and helping me grow with young horses, as well as pushing me to be better, to really give me confidence.”

Carly Taylor-Smith from Malibu, California and her 4-year-old Rosalut NHF, a dark bay Oldenburg gelding by Rosenthal, were also selected. Taylor-Smith rode “Ludo” to championship honors in the Four-Year-Old division at the USEF/Markel Young Horse Championships.

“It’s a privilege,” said Taylor-Smith. “I’ve never been to something like this before. It’s an honor. I like that we’re covering some of the other aspects as well, like nutrition. And everyone working as a package – it is really great.”

On Saturday evening a reception and dinner included a presentation on working with the media, given by Mason Phelps Jr. and Carrie Wirth of Phelps Media Group, as well as a presentation by Juliano.

Juliano shared the unique opportunity for the sport of dressage in the U.S. and stressed the importance of the team concept and applying the use of strategy by working with USEF and the USET Foundation for forward progress.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

The USET Foundation has been awarded Charity Navigators highest honor, a Four Star rating for good governance, sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Premier Equestrian Recognizes Robert Dover with Sportsmanship Award

Heidi Zorn of Premier Equestrian and Robert Dover. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (April 3, 2014) – Few people understand better what goes into dressage at its highest levels better than Heidi Zorn, president of Premier Equestrian (the Official Dressage Arena supplier for the USEF), and Robert Dover, four-time Olympic Bronze medalist (six-time consecutive U.S. Olympian) and now US Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor.

So when Zorn warmly presented Dover with the Premier Equestrian Sportsmanship Award, not only for Week 12 of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, but, as she joked, for being “Sportsman of the Season,” it was as inspired a pairing as peanut butter with chocolate.

“Thank you; you’re so very kind,” Dover said with the same enthusiasm for his sport that has been his trademark since 1987, when he piaffed and passaged into U.S. and world history by defeating six-time German Olympic Gold medalist Dr. Reiner Klimke in front of a 65,000-seat house to win the Aachen Grand Prix.

Today, it’s Dover who can be credited with bringing an Aachen-level of enthusiasm to American dressage, and nowhere has that been more evident than at Wellington.

“I love dressage and I’m thrilled with its success at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. I’m standing here and see thousands of people watching our sport and remember how, just three years ago, I had to fight to make the idea of competition at this level and caliber ‘palatable.’

“I’m so happy for this award, but the real reward is for everyone involved in our sport,” Dover told Zorn before the irrepressible coach had to get back to the business of coaching.  “Thank you! And now, it’s back to the warm-up arena!”

“Our philosophy of always providing ‘premier’ products at the best possible price to the consumer is in line with the growing number of dressage enthusiasts who want to minimize expenses without giving up quality or jeopardizing their horses’ safety and well-being,” Zorn added. Premier Equestrian is the Official Gold Sponsor of the NAJYRC and is the official dressage arena of the USEF and Adequan FEI NAJYRC, July 15-30, 2014 in Lexington, KY.

Considered America’s leading manufacturer and distributor of dressage arenas, Premier Equestrian’s website offers extensive and informative information designed to help horse owners understand the differences in arenas as well as footing. Premier Equestrian offers a complete line of horse jumps and horse jumping equipment, including standards, sponsor jumps, and cavaletti. Premier products include barn accessories, books & DVDs, arena grooming and maintenance equipment.  For a free catalog, free arena footing sample or free arena sand analysis, call (800) 611-6109 or visit www.PremierEquestrian.com.

For more information contact:
Heidi Zorn, Premier Equestrian
1-800-611-6109
www.PremierEquestrian.com
heidi@dressagearena.net

High Performance Riders Participate in 2014’s First USEF Dressage Observation & Strategic Planning Session

Adrienne Lyle and Wizard during a training session with USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Robert Dover (USEF Archive)

Lexington, Ky. – The first USEF Dressage Observation & Strategic Planning Session of 2014 took place earlier this week at Havensafe Farm South in Wellington, Fla. Lead by Robert Dover, USEF Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor, the session provided training and strategic guidance for athletes as they look toward international competition and the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. The session featured 18 athlete/horse combinations over three days.

Dover was able to work individually with each athlete/horse combination, striving to enhance training practices and assist athletes in achieving their competition goals. Athletes’ personal trainers/coaches were also invited and participated in the sessions.

Day one of the session included:

  • Katherine Bateson-Chandler with Jane Clark’s Alcazar
  • Elaine Cordia-Van Reesma with her own Jewel’s Adelante
  • Catherine Haddad-Staller with her own Montrachet
  • Shawna Harding with Tonya Rowe’s Rigo
  • Chris Hickey with Cecelia Stewart’s Ronaldo
  • Jami Kment with her own Zania
  • Leslie Morse with her own King’s Excalibur
  • JJ Tate with Elizabeth Guarisco’s Faberge

Days two and three of the session included:

  • Susie Dutta with Tim Dutta Inc.’s Currency DC
  • Shelly Francis with Patricia Stempel’s Doktor and Danilo
  • Catherine Haddad-Staller with her own Mane Stream Hotmail
  • Chris Hickey with Hilltop Farm Inc.’s Douglas Hilltop
  • Adrienne Lyle with Peggy Thomas’ Wizard
  • Sharon McCusker with her own Wrigley
  • Cesar Parra with Michael and Sarah Davis’ Van the Man
  • Caroline Roffman with Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s Sagacious HF and her own Her Highness O

“I thought the training session was fantastic,” said Lyle. “Robert was able to take what everyone had been working on with their own coaches, build on that, and really motivate riders to raise their bar and bring out even more brilliance in their performances.”

“The three-day USEF High Performance Observation and Strategic Planning Session at Havensafe Farm produced excellent results,” said Dover. “Thanks to Betsy Juliano and her great staff as well as Jenny Van Wieren-Page for a beautiful and well-organized clinic and to the athletes who truly rose to the occasion and proved that America is most certainly producing more depth of world-class horses and top riders.”

For more information about the High Performance Dressage Observation and Strategic Planning Sessions, visit: http://usef.org/documents/highPerformance/dressage/USEFDressageTrainingSessions2013_2014.pdf.

Questions should be addressed to Jenny Van Wieren-Page, Managing Director of Dressage, by phoning (859) 225-6949 or via email to jvanwieren@usef.org.

Hear from Robert Dover, Tuny Page, Silvia Rizzo and Other Top Riders at PSdressage.com

Robert Dover on FBW Kennedy. Photos by Susan J. Stickle.

Wellington, FL – July 19, 2013 – If you haven’t been to PSdressage.com lately, you may have missed columns with dressage greats like Robert Dover and Tuny Page. You may have overlooked the news that Canadian David Marcus recently debuted his new mount, Don Altena, in Ontario, Canada. Did you see the story about the first medals awarded in dressage at the 2013 Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC)? Do you know about the latest styles in tailcoats and boots?

On PSdressage.com, you can read about Arlene “Tuny” Page, who shared insight into her life while she competes in Europe in the column “Tune In to Tuny Page.”

“Every time I have come to Europe to show, I rediscover that to be competitive here you have to ride closer to ‘the edge’ of brilliant,'” Page said. “In the long run this, of course, strengthens the horses, adds elasticity and certainly makes your presentation in the arena more impressive.”

She was recently named to USA’s 2013 Nations Cup team to compete in Hickstead, Great Britain, at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at the Longines Royal International Horse Show July 30 – Aug.4.

You don’t want to miss learning about the U.S. Team’s Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover and his busy life in in the column “New Dressage Chef d’Equipe and Technical Advisor Robert Dover is the Man with the Plan.”

Dover, a six-time Olympic athlete, has organized a unified roadmap for all levels of U.S. dressage competitors, from pony riders to high-performance riders.

Read about Canadian Olympic athlete David Marcus who debuted his new ride, Don Althena, at the CornerStone Summer Festival held July 12 to 14 at the Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave, Ontario. Catch up on the latest news at the Kentucky NAJYRC. Learn about the latest in dressage fashion from resident fashionista and Grand Prix rider Silvia Rizzo from Italy. It’s all on Psdressage.com – and more.

Tuny Page on Wild One
Tuny Page on Wild One

PSdressage.com, launched by Phelps Media Group International of Wellington, FL, is the Internet’s newest and freshest dressage and equestrian news website.

PSdressage.com is the go-to spot for free, up-to-the-minute coverage of what’s happening in the dressage world as well as the gateway to creative reporting and thought-provoking commentary.

PSdressage.com offers equestrians and fans of equestrian sports a single web address for the latest breaking news in the discipline of dressage. PSdressage.com delivers show results, reports, features, columns and interviews with some of the most respected names in dressage.

Visit PSdressage.com today to see what’s happening in dressage. And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and turn to Twitter @PSDressage for live updates.

Sue Weakley for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

USPEA Congratulates Robert Dover on the Appointment of Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor for the U.S. Dressage Team

Photos courtesy of Robert Dover at DoversWorld.com.

Lexington, Kentucky – April 19, 2013 – The United States Para-Equestrian Association would like to congratulate Robert Dover on his appointment as the next Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor for the U.S. Dressage Team.

President of the USPEA Hope Hand expressed, “I am personally thrilled and excited to hear that Robert Dover was awarded the position of Chef d’Equipe of the United States Equestrian Team. Robert is a great technician but more importantly, Robert knows what it takes to be a Team Player and I feel his philosophies and his coaching skills will produce winning results for the Team. Para Dressage has always appreciated and valued what we have learned from Robert and thank him for his positive influence and contributions he has made on our riders. I look forward to collaborating with Robert to lead our Teams back on the podium.”

Robert Dover responded on DoversWorld.com in reference to his new position:

“I am honored to have been selected for the job of Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Dressage Team! Earlier this evening, my friend, Michelle, who has worked at Gladstone for many years, told me that Fiona Baan, past Director of Dressage and one of the most influential people in America for our sport and me, personally, “would be very proud”. I fully intend to do my very best to live up to the expectations of Fiona, Col. Bengt Ljungquist, and so many others who helped me so much in my career and put their faith in me.”

He continued: “My desire is to work with the riders, their personal trainers, and our National Coaches, to create an incredibly strong pipeline – a true machine – from our juniors on ponies through our young riders and horses and developing combinations, up to our elite international athletes, so that Americans may stand atop the medal podiums around the world at all divisions. This goal will not only require great strategies, dedication, and hard work by all of us involved, but naturally, it is going to hinge greatly upon the funding necessary to train and field the finest teams of athletes, both 2 and 4-legged. Your donations to our USET Foundation are key in financing our High Performance athletes. World-class riders and horses training and competing at the very highest standards mean world-class programs, starting with our kids. Our elite international riders know their jobs and while ensuring they have EVERYTHING they need to excel with confidence, I can tell you from having been on and coached great teams, that is still the easy part. The game changer will be making sure we have superbly trained and prepared riders and horses, constantly coming up through the pipeline in greater numbers every year. Only then will we see an ‘American Machine’ which will outlast all of us individually and continue indefinitely into the future, the Solid Gold future we dream of!”

Dover685Robert Dover’s appointment is currently pending successful negotiation of a contract with John Long, USEF CEO and James Wolf, USEF Executive Director of Sport Programs according to the USEF website.

Written by: Lindsay Y McCall

To view an online version of this press release with more photos, please visit: http://uspea.org/category/recent-uspea-press-news/.

About United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts.  The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport.  This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline.  From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved.  From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed.  The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.

Robert Dover Approved for US Dressage Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor Position

Lexington, KY – The United States Federation’s Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of Robert Dover as the next Chef d’Equipe/Technical Advisor for the U.S. Dressage Team pending the successful negotiation of a contract with John Long, USEF CEO and James Wolf, USEF Executive Director of Sport Programs.

For more information regarding the process of hiring the Technical Advisor/Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. Dressage Team, contact Jenny Van Wieren-Page at (859) 225-6949 or by email JVanWieren@usef.org.

Gay Olympians to Be Honored during International Gay Polo Tournament

Dover Named Committee Chairman

WELLINGTON, FL – February 15, 2013 — The Gay Polo League will honor gay Olympians during the April 12-13 International Gay Polo Tournament festivities.

Six-time Olympian Robert Dover will serve as Chairman of the Gay Polo Olympian Committee.

Dover has earned more honors than any other U.S. dressage rider in the sport’s history. He competed in six consecutive Olympics for the U.S. equestrian team, four world championships and seven World Cups.

Mason Phelps, Jr., founder and president of Phelps Media Group International, will serve as committee vice chairman. Phelps, a lifelong horseman, was a U.S. Olympic alternate for the U.S. three-day team that competed in the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games.

South Florida has long been a home for of U.S. and international gay Olympians in all sports including beach volleyball, equestrian, soccer, swimming, diving, tennis and track and field.

The committee will reach out to several gay Olympians, including four-time Olympic diving gold medalist Greg Louganis and 2004 Athens Olympics tennis player Martina Navratilova, to be a part of the fourth annual International Gay Polo Tournament that attracts some of the world’s top gay players at Grand Champions Polo Club in Wellington.

“We would like to invite any Olympians who are interested,” Phelps said. “We would honor and recognize them both on Friday night and during the game on Saturday and ask them to be a part of the awards ceremony.”

All gay Olympians will be guests at the Friday, April 12th Jewels and Jeans Kick-Off Party, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wellington at the International Polo Club Grande Pavilion at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, they will be treated to the consolation and championship polo games at Grand Champions Polo Club at a VIP table for lunch and beverages followed by a Victory Party field side in the Elite Tent.

Those gay Olympians interested can contact Phelps Media Group, Inc., International at 561-753-3389 or email gpl@phelpsmediagroup.com.

About the Gay Polo League: GPL is a community that shares a love for adventure, fun, and challenging sport of polo. GPL is committed to providing members with an enjoyable, supportive and competitive experience.

GPL represents a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skill levels. GPL trains and competes in mainstream matches and events while sharing enthusiasm for the sport, to change perceptions about the gay community.

Fourth Annual International Gay Polo Tournament Fast Facts

Where: Grand Champions Polo Club
On the corner of South Shore Boulevard and Lake Worth Road

When: Saturday, April 13, 2013

Time: Polo Matches start at 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Gates open at noon

Tickets: General Admission $25

Tailgate Price: $225, includes eight tickets and one field side parking place

VIP Tables: $1,000 includes seating for eight center field, four beverage tickets for each, gourmet food ticket for each, tableside service, including hors d’oeuvres, throughout the polo matches

Kick-Off Party: Friday, April 12, International Polo Club Pavilion. 3667 120th Ave. S., Wellington, FL Start Time: 6:30 p.m. (Food, dancing and auction)

For Tickets: 561 753 3389 or go to http://www.gaypolo.com/the-event/

For Tailgates and VIP Tables: Call 561 753 3389

Sponsors:
Cedar Crest Stables
Elite meetings and Events
Gordon W. Ross Team – Re/Max
Phelps Media Group
Polo Gear
Wellington Rotary Club
Grand Champions Polo Club

Official Hotel:
Hampton Inn Wellington 561 472 9696
Hampton Inn Lake Worth 561 472 5980
www.Hamptoninn.com

For sponsorship opportunities contact:
Maureen Gross at Phelps Media Group
mbg@phelpsmediagroup.com/
561-753-3389

For more information about GPL, visit www.gaypolo.com.

Sharon Robb for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com