Mason Phelps, Jr.
mpjr at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Founder & President
Mason Phelps, Jr. is a lifelong horseman who has participated in many aspects of the equestrian world including as a rider/trainer, event manager, governance leader, charity organizer, and multi-media executive.

Phelps was a rider and trainer in his early years, competing in eventing and the hunter/jumper ranks. He earned national and international recognition as an equestrian athlete. In 1968, Phelps was named Alternate to the U.S. Three Day Team that competed in the Mexico City Olympic Games. That same year, he was named the U.S. Combined Training Association’s Rider of the Year. Phelps began his career as a trainer in 1972, working for two years as an Assistant Trainer to the legendary Jimmy Williams at Flintridge Riding Club in Pasadena, California. Phelps later developed his own training stable for hunter/jumpers, working with riders on both the east and west coast until his retirement from competition in the late 1990s.

While still in his twenties, Phelps expanded his role in the horse world to include event manager. In 1970, Phelps created and produced the “AA Rated Xmas Show” in San Antonio, which is now a popular annual event and an integral part of the Texas equestrian community. In 1976, Phelps founded, produced, and managed the first International Jumping Derby in Newport, Rhode Island, which drew top athletes and was a major show on the jumping circuit through 1988. In 1977, Phelps founded and created the New England Horsemen’s Association Hunt Seat Medal, which is still a popular event today, held in Springfield, Massachusetts. In the late 1970s and 1980s, Phelps produced a driving event for the Newport Preservation Society in Newport, Rhode Island. The event was held over three days and included as many as 16 four-in-hand carriages that drove to Newport mansions for lunches, teas, and dinners; classic Newport stables that had ceased operation were opened for the event. In the early 1990s at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida, Phelps created innovative classes including the first equitation class for previous winners of the Maclay or the Medal Finals; an equitation class for riders who had represented the U.S. in an Olympic Games, Pan American Games or a Nations’ Cup; and the first hunter classic for the American Hunter Jumper Foundation, which was held in the grand prix Internationale Arena. Currently, Phelps is Chairman of the National Horse Show of America Ltd.

Phelps has also played an important role in horse sport governance, primarily in the 1980s. He was Chairman of Zone I for the former American Horse Shows Association (AHSA, now USEF), and was on the boards of both the AHSA and the USET. Phelps also served as president of the New England Horseman's Council from 1985 through 1988.

As a philanthropist, Phelps has been instrumental in numerous charity and fundraising events in the equestrian world. In the 1980s, Phelps produced the Newport Roundup in Newport, Rhode Island, as a charity event for equestrians, with topnotch entertainment that included Sleepy LeBeef, Asleep at the Wheel, New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Tammy Wynett. In 1996, Phelps was one of the founders of the Equestrian Aid Foundation (EAF, formerly the Equestrian AIDS Foundation), a fundraising and charitable organization for equestrians in need. In 1998, Phelps produced the first Denim and Diamonds, a benefit party for the United States Equestrian Team (USET), and presented the popular event again in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2004.

Currently, Phelps is involved in equestrian media. In 2001, he founded Phelps Media Group, Inc. International, an equestrian public relations firm, and counts as clients the USET Foundation and the National Horse Show, as well as many top-tier equestrian events, organizations, companies, athletes, and trainers. In 2006, he founded PhelpsSports.com, an equestrian news website. In addition to bringing international equestrian coverage to subscribers of the website, PhelpsSports.com has also sponsored numerous events including the PhelpsSports.com Palm Beach Dressage Derby in Loxahatchee, Florida; Horse Shows by the Bay in Traverse City, Michigan; and the Junior/Amateur Grand Prix at the Syracuse Sport Horse Invitational in Syracuse, New York. Representatives of PhelpsSports.com have been credentialed for top international events around the world including the World Cup Finals for dressage and show jumping, and all three equestrian sports at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Kendall Bierer
kb at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Account Executive
Kendall graduated from the University of Central Florida in May 2011 with her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Kendall recently joined the Phelps Media Group staff, and looks forward to being a part of the equine industry once again. She has been riding horses since the age of five, competing in equitation and hunter divisions. Kendall’s skills include writing, photography, graphic design and page layout. Kendall wishes to combine her love for horses and the equine world with her passion for journalism. Kendall joined PMG to follow her passions and pursue the out-of-the-box thinking for which the company is known.

Mary Adelaide Brakenridge
mab at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Account Executive
Mary Adelaide graduated from Bryn Mawr College summa cum laude in 2012. Her degree was in Russian language and literature, which allowed her to hone her writing and analysis skills while also learning a new language. She received a Fulbright-Hays Fellowship to support study abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia, in preparation for her senior thesis. A keen equestrian since childhood, Brakenridge was a member of the United States Pony Club and spent her high school summers teaching at children’s riding camps. She served as the manager and then captain of the Dartmouth Riding Center IEA team (Hanover, NH) during its first two competitive seasons. Since her graduation from Bryn Mawr, she has worked teaching eventing at the Vershire Riding School in Vermont. Mary Adelaide has covered major events such as the World Dressage Masters CDI5* Palm Beach and the historic Palm Beach Dressage Derby.

Maureen Gross
mbg at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Consultant, Account Executive
Maureen Gross is the Director of Development and Community Outreach for Phelps Media Group, Inc., International. By recently joining the PMG team and spearheading this new department for Phelps Media Group, Inc, International (PMG), Maureen handles most of the PMG activities in Palm Beach County that are not related to the equestrian world. This department is designed to provide additional services for PMG’s existing clients, to expand PMG’s local exposure and to create a charitable component to the industry. Maureen has worked in the non-profit industry for over 25 years in Palm Beach County, and most recently, was the Director of Development for the Central Palm Beach County’s non-profit arm---the Palms West Community Foundation. Maureen brings with her a vast base of local contacts in Palm Beach County—from both the business and non-profit worlds, and has extensive community service and non-profit experience.

Kenneth Kraus
KennethKraus at aol dot com

Account Executive, Writer, Photographer and Executive Director of PhelpsSports.com
Ken has been involved in the equestrian industry since 1960 – first as a top junior rider and then as an announcer. He’s announced every major horse show in the country including The National Horse Show, World Cup, Devon, American Invitational, and the Winter Equestrian Festival. Ken is also an R-rated USEF Jumper Judge. Ken was an on-air personality for four years in the Cleveland, Ohio, radio market and also spent a number of years in rock’n’roll as road manager for Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Outlaws.

Karen Lucca
kll at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Social Media Manager
Karen Lucca comes to PMG with over 25 years experience in the retail industry.  Lucca graduated from Buffalo State College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management.  From there, Lucca went on to complete a Master of Urban & Regional Planning at the Florida Atlantic University.  Her combined skills in sales, marketing, merchandising, accounting, web design, and social media makes her a great asset to the team at PMG.  Her enthusiasm for the equestrian industry has been an ever-evolving part of her life.  After many years she finally found her first horse and now owns three horses, two of which are rescues.  When Lucca isn’t searching the World Wide Web for clients and monitoring all social media accounts she can be found volunteering at Elite Thoroughbred she also enjoys spending time with her family.

Emily Riden
emr at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Account Execuitve
Emily Riden brings to Phelps Media Group a strong writing and public relations background and a lifelong passion for horses and the equine industry. As an avid rider and competitor since childhood, Riden was active in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), riding for the Linden Hall School (Lititz, PA) throughout her high school years. Staying true to her Pennsylvania roots, Riden went on to attend Pennsylvania State University where she earned her degrees in Public Relations and Equine Science, always with the goal of entering the field of equestrian public relations. While at Penn State, Riden served as an officer of the Penn State Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) team and was an active member of the Public Relations Student Society of America and a reporter for acclaimed university student newspaper, The Daily Collegian. After graduating from Penn State in 2012, Riden was immediately employed and began working with non-profit clients to develop their communications and raise funds for their organizations. Riden now brings that continued affinity for non-profits to her position at Phelps Media Group.

Julie Tannehill
jmt at phelpsmediagroup dot com

General Manager and Marketing Development
Julie left the corporate world with over 25 years of experience in Sales, Marketing and Management to combine her love of horses with work and joined PMG in 2007. She trained with Melanie Smith Taylor's mother, Rachel Smith,in Memphis and enjoyed showing until she went to Colorado for school and started riding western and skiing whenever possible. Julie now follows the teachings of Natural Horsemanship with her horse, Michaleen. She has a BS in Marketing and Business Management and brings her management experience in areas such as the ski industry, hospitality industry, radio and charitable events to PMG. Julie along with her skills in Finance, Budgeting, Market Analysis, Training and Sales works to keep PMG running smoothly. In her free time, she is actively involved in the Wellington community and in various charities to help save horses and dogs.

Rebecca Walton
rjw at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Senior Account Executive
Rebecca began working for PMG during the summer of 2008 as an intern before she graduated from James Madison University in December of 2008. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Media Arts and Design with a Corporate Communication concentration and a Studio Art minor. Rebecca has covered top international equestrian events for Phelps Media Group, including the 2010, 2011, and 2012 FEI World Cup Finals, the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games, and the 2012 London Olympic Games. She is a member of the International Alliance of Equestrian Journalists (IAEJ). Rebecca has been riding and showing hunters in Baltimore County since she was 8 years old. Rebecca’s skills include writing, photography, graphic design and web design. She has done work for the New York Racing Association, ST-Publishing, The Exchange, and numerous other companies. Rebecca comes to PMG with a desire to combine her professional skills with her passion for the equestrian industry.

Sue Weakley
skw at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Account Executive
Sue is active in equine media and marketing and has been editor of Andalusian magazine, assistant editor of Horse & Rider, contributing writer to Dressage Today, Chronicle of the Horse, Sidelines and Horse of Kings, a member of the Marketing Committee for the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and has served on two Iberian breed horse association Boards in various capacities. She is an avowed "dressage queen" and owns three horses. Sue earned both an undergraduate degree and a Master of Arts degree in print journalism and has taught classes in social media, journalism, and integrated marketing communications at the University of Mississippi.

Carrie Wirth
cw at phelpsmediagroup dot com

Account Executive
Carrie has over twenty years of experience in public relations, advertising, marketing communications, entertainment and events. Most recently, Carrie ran her own firm, Show Business Marketing, a Minneapolis enthusiast-based marketing and promotional events company targeting the equestrian audience. Her clients included Ariat, Equine Network, Midwest Horse Fair, Troxel and Arc de Triomphe. Carrie worked for T3 Group, a marketing and change management consulting firm, where she was Vice President of Marketing. At Juntunen Group, one of the largest multimedia and production firms in the upper Midwest, Carrie was Director of New Business Development. Highlights of her tenure include managing all media aspects of the pivotal Episcopal Church convention, series production for HGTV and account leadership for Best Buy, Target,The Minnesota Wild and Hartford Life, to name a few. She also worked in direct marketing for Duplication Factory, leading high impact projects for clients like Boeing and Continental Airlines and helped found their interactive division, Linking Solutions. An avid equestrian, Carrie began riding and showing in her early teens in West Point, NY. She has fox hunted with the Long Lake Hounds and played polo as a member of the Twin City Polo Club, but her true passion is show hunters.