Challenge of the Americas' Mary Ross and Mason Phelps, Jr. Speak with Collegiate Equestrians
Equestrian News Release

Wellington, FL - December 18, 2008 - This week Mary Ross of Challenge of the Americas and Mason Phelps, Jr. of Phelps Media Group, Inc. International met with Lake Erie College student and newspaper editor Natalie Anderson and others from the school's Equine Studies program. The students visited Wellington to learn more about the many equestrian businesses and facilities based in the horse-savvy area. Anderson is in the Equine Studies program and hopes to have a career in equestrian public relations and marketing. She met with Ross and Phelps to learn more about their experiences in the industry.

Ross founded the Challenge of the Americas, which will be presented in 2009 by the International Polo Club Palm Beach. For eight consecutive years this equestrian event has served as a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, an organization dedicated to preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer through clinical and genetic research in Palm Beach County, the United States, and abroad.

Phelps is president and founder of Phelps Media Group, Inc. International (PMG), one of the foremost equestrian public relations firms in the country. An Olympic veteran, Phelps has managed numerous equestrian events, competitions, and fundraisers over the years, and he is also chairman for the National Horse Show Association of America Ltd. In 2006, Phelps founded PhelpsSports.com, an equestrian news Web site and subsidiary of PMG.

While in Wellington, the group of 15 college students spent time touring different equestrian facilities and meeting with veterinarians, equine chiropractors, hunter/jumper and dressage riders, and other professionals in the industry. Ross spoke to the group about entrepreneurial leadership, and Ross and Phelps later met with Anderson to answer questions about equestrian public relations and discuss internship opportunities available at PMG and Challenge of the Americas.

The Lake Erie College students who made the trip to Wellington are majoring in one of four areas of the Equine Studies Program. These include Equine Entrepreneurship, Equine Facility Management, Equestrian Trainer/Teacher, and Biology with a Pre-Veterinary Concentration.



Photo Caption: Mary Ross, Mason Phelps, and Natalie Anderson. Photo © 2008 Jenny Ross. Photograph may be used only in relation to this PMG press release.