M. Michael Meller Joins The Jumper Classic Board of Directors
Equestrian News Release

South Hamilton, Massachusetts, June 7, 2007--The Jumper Classic is pleased to announce the appointment of hunter/jumper competitor and trainer M. Michael Meller to its board of directors. Meller is enthusiastic about this opportunity to help further promote equestrian sports and participate in planning for the September 2007 competition. The only equestrian event of this caliber in New England, the Jumper Classic attracts some of the nation' s top riders and horses. Many professional show jumping riders, including Meller, make the Jumper Classic an annual event in their year-long schedule of top level competitions that take them from Massachusetts to Florida.

"It's one of the only horse shows left that has such a great venue specifically for the horses and exhibitors," Meller said. "It's a great honor to be on the board of the Jumper Classic." Meller, who is originally from Rhode Island, opened a training facility, MMM Horseman, in Tiverton three years ago. He realized a dream of owning a real New England farmhouse that he has restored in keeping with its history. At East Knoll Farm, he hosts clinics and teaches students of all ages. He trains young horses he purchases in Europe and offers several promising hunter/jumpers for sale. With a lifetime of riding experience and a business education, Meller has a clear mission for his facility: "To offer the absolute best care for the horses, the highest level of training techniques, and to create the most positive atmosphere." The horse care is paramount.

Horses that Meller is currently competing include Eskadeur, who had three placings in the Grand Prix placings at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center and was top winner in the meter 1.45. Nimbus de la Motte was top winner in the 6-year-old Young Jumper Championship Qualifing Class at WEF 2007. George Goes to Hollywood won several ribbons in the Adult Jumper Division at WEF with the skilled riding of Jenny Oz LeRoy, a long-time colleague of Meller's. Additionally, Meller's students have claimed top ribbons in amateur hunters.

"Michael is a really great person with a wonderful heart," says Jumper Classic President Melissa Lovasco. "He loves the horse show and shares his enthusiasm with everyone he knows, which makes him the perfect spokesperson for us. He is a very talented and respected rider."

With a full lineup of competitions planned for this year, Meller will be competing at the HITS and the Hampton Classic in New York and at several Connecticut shows before participating in the Jumper Classic and the $75,000 AGA Grand Prix sponsored by Fidelity Investments. His show and clinic schedule, as well as details about his training facility, are featured on his website http://www.mmmhorseman.com.

To learn more about the schedule of events for the 2007 Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, visit http://www.jumperclassic.com or call 978.283.7708.


About Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments is one of the world's largest providers of financial services, with custodied assets of $3.0 trillion, including managed assets of $1.4 trillion as of March 31, 2007. Fidelity offers investment management, retirement planning, brokerage, and human resources and benefits outsourcing services to more than 23 million individuals and institutions as well as through 5,500 financial intermediary firms. The firm is the largest mutual fund company in the United States, the No. 1 provider of workplace retirement savings plans, the largest mutual fund supermarket and a leading online brokerage firm. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit http://www.Fidelity.com.


Photo Credit: Anne Gittins