Thursday March 10, 2005

New Additions to Challenge of the Americas

Riders are polishing their performances, officials, judges, celebrity judges and other participants have marked their calendars, and VIP seating has been expanded to accommodate the interest shown for the inaugural Challenge of the Americas Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille. This fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation will be held at the Palm Beach Polo Club and the Players Club Restaurant at 6:45 p.m. on March 12, 2005 in Wellington, Florida, with teams representing Canada, the United States and Latin America.

While VIP seating has nearly sold out, there will be extensive field-side general admission seating available for a $10 donation.

Spectators and others who are interested are invited to check out the Challenge website, where you can find more information as well as meet the riders that will participate in this spectacle under the lights.

Challenge founder and organizer Mary Ross, who has developed the event over the past few years from a pas de trois exhibition, to a quadrille, to this year’s competition, is excited to announce that Tiffany and Co. will graciously provide the trophies for the competition. Other new additions to the Sponsor List include Euro-American Saddlery, Leather Goods of Spain, Outback Steakhouse (steak and champagne), and Red Barn Feed and Supply, who will provide flowers for the event.

Other sponsors include Aragon Stables, Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Insurance, Dressage Canada, EquestrianGraphics.com, Highlife Farms, Horse Deals US, Klassic Kur, Marismas Sporthorses, Palm Beach Polo, PhelpsPhotos.com, The Players Club, Tiffany and Co., Play for P.I.N.K., Premier Equestrian, Royalty Farms/Diamond Legacy Breeding and the United States Dressage Federation.

The most recent addition to the US team of riders is Leslie Morse, who has been having great success in Wellington, most recently winning the $2000 Grand Prix Musical Freestyle at the Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic riding Kingston to music from The Pirates of the Caribbean. She and Kingston also won the FEI Grand Prix, and her Swedish stallion, Tip Top 962, won the Grand Prix Special.

Judges will be representative of all three countries competing: Lorraine Stubbs (CAN), Marian Cunningham (PER), and Linda Zang (USA). Newly added to the roster, in a neutral capacity, is FEI “O” judge Stephen Clarke of Great Britain. Clarke has judged at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games, as well as numerous other esteemed international competitions.