Wellington, FL – February 15, 2011 – The generous sponsors of Challenge of the Americas have returned to support this year’s event, which will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2011, at the beautiful International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. The Challenge, in its tenth consecutive year as an annual fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, showcases equestrian sport and features a gala dinner/dance. The evening will get underway with a new feature for this year, a four on four polo match, followed by musical grand prix team quadrilles,
Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), the 2011 Challenge will once again feature three grand prix team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. SSG Gloves will sponsor this year’s Can/Am team, Purina Mills returns to sponsor Team USA, and The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch will continue their support of the international team. Each team is made up of six horses and riders that will perform intricate musical quadrilles on the main field at IPC.
Purina Mills has sponsored the Challenge for several years and the company is back in full support for 2011. Brant Gilbert, Purina’s Marketing Director for the Horse Business Group noted that the company’s continued sponsorship is multifold. “This really aligns well with our corporate outreach and awareness campaign tied around Breast Cancer education and research. The Challenge is a spectacular spectator event that combines the power and grace of the equine athlete with a great message for the equine enthusiast. We are thrilled to be working with this event again in 2011 and look forward to a great turn out and another year of raising funds for a cause that touches so many of us.“
Purina Mills was founded in 1894, Purina Mills has been the leader in animal nutrition for over 115 years. The company first started by manufacturing feed for mules unloading cargo from steamships docked at the Mississippi river in downtown St. Louis. In 1926, the company opened their 1,188-acre animal nutrition center in Gray Summit, Missouri. At this unique facility, their Ph.D. Equine Nutritionists play a critical role in the company’s commitment to research in developing the best possible diets for horses. And with quality brands such as Omolene®, Strategy®, Equine Senior and Ultium®, the company specializes in formulating, researching and manufacturing the most advanced high performance horse feeds in the industry. For more information on how Purina Mills develops state-of-the-art quality nutritional products in a way no other feed company can, call (800) 227-8941 or visit www.horse.purinamills.com.
Josh Parker and Rex Seley of The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch are once again sponsoring Team International at The Challenge. The Seley Parker Group has sponsored Team International since 2007. Josh Parker, Wealth Management Advisor and Portfolio Manager for The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch is excited for another year and looks forward to the special evening.
The Seley Parker group is excited to support the Challenge for the fifth year,” noted Parker. “We firmly believe in the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s work and its importance in society. We want to do whatever we can to support this cause, and this is a great way for us to be involved with the equestrian community.”
“The polo club is a wonderful venue and the Challenge is a fun evening to showcase the equestrian sport and enjoy dinner and dancing in support of a very important organization,” Parker added. “We have seen cancer affect a lot of people’s lives in our industry, so that is something that hits close to home, and it is high on our list of charities to support.”
SSG Glovees continues their support of the Challenge, sponsoring the event for the fifth year in a row. Mr. Ed James of SSG Gloves commented, “I started my support of the Challenge when we first came out with our Glove of Hope that supported Breast Cancer research. I thought it would be a great way to help a good cause and promote our product. It’s been a great partnership over the years and I like knowing that my support of the challenge really goes to somewhere that will help do research to hopefully one day eradicate this disease.”
Designed with the horseman in mind SSG Gloves now feature more than 60 styles to meet the unique needs of diverse disciplines that include show jumping, dressage, all event shows, eventing, rodeo, and polo. Using the best available material SSG uses a dress glove pattern for a closer fit and for a better performing glove. In addition to the finest leathers, SSG approved suppliers work with top quality synthetic materials like Aquasuede, Kevlar, Thinsulate, and Neoprene to provide durability and flexibility, along with a better grip in all weather conditions.
Based in Aurora, ON; with offices in Buffalo New York their products are sold through an extensive network of retailers around the world including the United States, Canada, Ireland, the U.K. Hong Kong, and Australia. www.ssgridinggloves.com
In addition to quadrille team sponsors, the Challenge has many other generous supporters, including: The International Polo Club Palm Beach; POLO SPONSOR: Arenus; EVENT SPONSORS: USDF; Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Insurance; MatchnRide.com, Back on Track, Wellington Classic Dressage, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Red Barn Feed & Supply, Jamaica Tent and Sunbelt Rentals.
Following The Challenge of the Americas will be an elegant evening of dinner and dancing at the Challenge Gala. The Challenge Gala, always a sell-out, will be held in the new Nepresso Pavillion at IPC, just off of Piaget Field. VIP COTA/Gala Tickets are available for $250 per person and general admission Challenge tickets will be $20 at the gate. Children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, please visit the Challenge of the Americas website, www.challengeoftheamericas.com, or contact Mary Ross at 561.852.2591.
CHALLENGE FAST FACTS:
EVENT: The Tenth Annual Challenge of the Americas Competition and Gala
WHAT: An International Musical Grand Prix Dressage Quadrille Team Challenge and Polo Extravaganza. The Challenge Gala, an elegant evening of dinner and dancing, will get underway immediately following the “The Challenge of the Americas” competition. An awards presentation will be featured and guests will have the chance to meet and socialize with riders and judges.
WHERE: The International Polo Club Palm Beach
3667 120th Avenue South
Wellington, FL 33414
WHEN: Saturday, March 12, 2011
PRESENTING SPONSOR: The International Polo Club Palm Beach
QUADRILLE TEAM SPONSORS: SSG Gloves – Team Canada; Purina Mills – Team USA; The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch – Team International
POLO SPONSOR: Arenus
EVENT SPONSORS: USDF; Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Insurance; Arenus, MatchnRide.com, Back on Track, Wellington Classic Dressage, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Red Barn Feed & Supply, Jamaica Tent and Sunbelt Rentals.
BENEFICIARY: Challenge of the Americas benefits Play for P.I.N.K and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
ADMISSION: General Admission tickets can be purchased at the gate on the evening of the event for a $20 donation.
CONTACT: To make reservations for the Challenge Gala & VIP Box Seating, contact Mary Ross at 561-852-2591.
PARKING: Convenient onsite parking and valet parking at the spectator entrance
MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Boulevard
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
