Mason Phelps practices his Pas de Deux sporting his custom Samshield helmet.
Wellington, FL – March 3, 2013 – The makers of Samshield Helmets have graciously agreed to sponsor The Challenge of the Americas and donated custom, top-of-the-line riding helmets to Olympic athletes Debbie McDonald and Mason Phelps for their comeback Pas de Deux performance for The Challenge.
McDonald and Phelps will celebrate their return to the ring sporting Samshield Helmets in a dressage freestyle exhibition at the March 9 event at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center to help raise funds for breast cancer research at The Challenge of the Americas.
Samshield Helmets pair customized styling with high-tech functionality, making Samshield the helmet of choice for many international riders. Now ASTM/SEI approved and available for purchase in the U.S., Samshield is delighted to offer American professional and amateur riders the ultimate in fit, safety and style.
“Samshield is the result of a mix between the pro and amateur rider’s needs, the young designer’s creative energy and the engineer’s technical vision,” explained Julien Lecomte of Samshield USA. “Samshield’s philosophy is to always propose advanced products in terms of active and passive security, comfort, hygiene, material and finish quality as well as customization.”
“I am proud to support Debbie and Mason by providing helmets, but even more important is the reason for the event − raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research,” Lecomte continued. “This will surely be a night to remember.”
The Challenge of the Americas returns for its 11th anniversary to continue its fight against breast cancer. This annual fundraiser, held at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, is a one-of-a-kind affair that highlights the equestrian sport of dressage. Competing riders include the “Who’s Who” of top equestrian competitors in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe competing in team quadrilles to help raise funds for breast cancer research.
The evening will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres followed by opening ceremonies. McDonald and Phelps will come out of retirement for their special Pas de Deux wearing their Samshield Helmets then reining cow horse champions Rick Steed and his brother Trevor will perform a reining exhibition. After their exhibition, the Canadian mother/daughter team of Evi Strasser and Tanya Strasser-Shostak will present another Pas de Deux. Then, the quadrille team challenge will pit teams of top dressage riders against each other as they perform intricate freestyle patterns to wow the crowd. After an award presentation, the Challenge Gala featuring dinner and dancing will cap off the event.
Both McDonald and Phelps came out of retirement to help raise funds for breast cancer research. “It was a collaborative effort to challenge each other to get back in front of the public and it is all for a good cause,” Phelps said. “Debbie and I are thrilled to be helping raise money for breast cancer and we couldn’t have done it in such a big way without the help of so many generous sponsors and helpers.”
Top names are behind the duo, including Carl Hester, who is helping choreograph the freestyle, Terry Ciotto Gallo, who is donating the musical compilation for the disco-themed ride, Stoddard Oliver, who is tailoring the costumes, Suzanne E. Mott Dansby of Dancing Horse Farm and Jennifer Benoit of Seahorse Stables of Wellington, who are lending horses for McDonald and Phelps to ride, and Samshield.
The blinged-out McDonald and Phelps will sport white tailcoats with red satin lining and collar and red buttons, blue bowties and cummerbunds, and blue breeches along with their Samshield custom helmets.
Samshield melds innovation, elegance and distinctiveness to provide advanced products in terms of active and passive security, comfort, hygiene, material and finish quality as well as customization for the modern rider. Riders like McClain Ward, Kent Farrington, Ally Wolf, Ashley Holzer, Heather Blitz and Adrienne Lyle, Debbie McDonald’s protégé, all choose Samshield helmets. Samshield’s donation of custom helmets to dressage Olympian McDonald and eventing Olympian Mason Phelps provides the duo ultimate protection combined with stylish good looks to make their Pas de Deux even more unforgettable.
McDonald is also pleased to be a part of the event. “After losing my mother and sister to breast cancer, the cause is near and dear to me,” McDonald said. “If we can entertain and sell a few more seats, it is all for a good cause.”
To purchase tickets to see McDonald and Phelps Pas de Deux as well as the top international dressage riders competing in dressage freestyle quadrilles and other exhibitions, contact Mary Ross at (561) 433-0988 or via email at Anglot@aol.com.
For more information, go to challengeoftheamericas.com.
The Challenge of The Americas Fast Facts
What:
The Challenge of The Americas (COTA), presented by SSG Gloves, known throughout the equestrian world for its spectacular performances on horseback, returns for its 11th anniversary to continue its fight against breast cancer. This annual fundraiser is a one-of-a-kind affair that highlights the equestrian sport of dressage. Competing riders include the “Who’s Who” of top equestrian competitors in the United States, Canada, Latin America and Europe.
There are few, if any, places throughout the world where an audience can delight in the performances of such a large and distinguished group of riders and their magnificent equine partners. The Challenge of The Americas’ teams of international riders compete in quadrilles to world-class music and choreography in an effort to raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer. Proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Play for P.I.N.K.
When:
Saturday, March 9, 2013
5:30 p.m. Cocktails and hors d’Oeuvres
6:15 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
6:25 p.m. Reining Freestyles and Pas de Deux
6:45 p.m. Quadrille Team Challenge
7:30 p.m. Award Presentation
7:45 p.m. The Challenge Gala: Dinner and Dancing
Where:
Jim Brandon Equestrian Center
West Palm Beach, Florida
www.pbcgov.com/parks/equestrian/jimbrandon/#.UP1pfqHjmFc
Sponsors:
Back on Track Products
Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock, Inc.
International Polo Club Palm Beach
MatchnRide.com
Merrill Lynch, The Seley Parker Group
Purina Mills
Red Barn Feed & Supply
Samshield
SSG Gloves
Steed Training
Tackeria
United States Dressage Federation
Wellington Classic Dressage
Ticket Information:
Mary Ross
8067 Montserrat Place
Wellington, FL 33414
(561) 433-0988
(561) 251-7945
Anglot@aol.com
Ticket prices:
VIP Tables of 8:
Gold Patron $6,500 per table
Silver Patron $4,500 per table
Bronze Patron $2,000 per table
VIP Individual Seating:
Competition and Gala (includes dinner and dancing) $250 per person
Competition (includes hors d’oeuvres and cash bar) $100 per person
General Admission seating $20 per person at the gate
Children 12 and under admitted free (General Admission)
News and Information:
Phelps Media Group
Sue Weakley
skw@phelpsmediagroup.com
(561) 753-3389
12012 South Shore Blvd., Suite 105
Wellington, FL 33414
PhelpsMediaGroup.com
Website:
www.challengeoftheamericas.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeOfTheAmericas
The Challenge of The Americas Beneficiaries:
Play for P.I.N.K.
Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge) is a grassroots organization dedicated to raising funds to fight breast cancer, 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, and shopping benefits. Our commitment is to contribute 100% of all funds raised to our beneficiary, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In 2012, PFP donated $4 million to BCRF for a cumulative total of $29.75 million. For more information about PFP, visit playforpink.org.
Website: playforpink.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/playforpink
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Website: www.bcrfcure.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBreastCancerResearchFoundation
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