Jennifer Benoit Helps Mason Phelps Prepare for The Challenge of the Americas

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2013 – Jennifer Benoit, a USDF Gold, Silver and Bronze medalist, trainer, coach, clinician, certified equine appraiser and licensed USEF judge, is helping Olympian Mason Phelps prepare for his return to the arena.  Phelps and fellow Olympian Debbie McDonald are performing a pas de deux exhibition at The Challenge of the Americas March 9.

Phelps and McDonald agreed to come out of retirement to help The Challenge raise funds for breast cancer research. Benoit volunteered the use of her horse, Oliver Twist, to Phelps for the event and is helping him brush up on dressage skills. Phelps was an Olympic athlete in eventing at the Mexico City games.

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be,” Phelps said. “Jennifer has been instrumental in helping me prepare for this event.  She is great at utilizing strategy to get the results I wanted.”

Benoit specializes in using correct training while being fair and honest to help riders set and achieve their goals. “Their riding goals, their competitive goals – it could be any goals they set for themselves,” she said.

Benoit and her husband, Chris, own Seahorse Stables, LLC, of Wellington and offer performance horse sales, boarding, training, clinics, instruction and certified appraisals in a tranquil setting ideally located near all the competition venues. Her philosophy of quality over quantity allows her to focus on the health and happiness of the horses, riders and owners. She specializes in the training, development, conditioning, fitness and performance of dressage athletes and believes riding should be comfortable and enjoyable for both horse and rider.

She is dedicated to classical training, matching horse and rider for long-term success and helping riders to achieve their dreams. She said that sometimes riders need to adjust goals, change the horse’s job or think about the match in a different way, all while working within their personal parameters.

Benoit also specializes in helping people “match up their dance partners.”

“Sometimes people have a horse already but their partnership is just not synching,” she added.  “So, if there’s a way to salvage the relationship, like a marriage counselor, I will do that.”

She said she loves to compete and enjoys helping riders reach their competitive goals, but she also enjoys helping riders who want to have fun on their horses.  “It’s supposed to be fun,” she said.

Benoit’s goal in working with Phelps was to get him show ready for The Challenge of the Americas Saturday night.  The Challenge of the Americas (COTA) Presented by SSG Gloves is known throughout the equestrian world for its spectacular performances on horseback and 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.

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.

The cause is especially important to Phelps’ pas de deux partner, McDonald.  “After losing my mother and sister to breast cancer, the cause is near and dear to me,” she said. “If we can entertain and sell a few more seats, it is all for a good cause.”

Phelps and McDonald are performing their pas de deux along with The Challenge quadrille teams vying for victory, a reining exhibition, and a mother-daughter pas de deux.  After an award presentation, the Challenge Gala featuring dinner and dancing will cap off the event.

For tickets, contact Mary Ross at (561) 433-0988 or Anglot@aol.com.

To learn more about Seahorse Stables and Jennifer Benoit, visit seahorsewellington.com, call (561) 309-7300 or email jennbenoit@yahoo.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