Debbie
McDonald Offers Training Package As Fundraiser For Olympic Dressage
Team
WELLINGTON, FL – April 1, 2004 – It’s a dream-come-true
package for any rider – one month’s training with internationally
renowned Grand Prix dressage rider Debbie McDonald at River Grove
Farm in Sun Valley, Idaho, complete with a stall for your horse and
a condo for you. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will be auctioned
off on June 19 as part of a fundraising event at the Dressage Olympic
Selection Trials in San Juan Capistrano, California, called “Celebrate
With The Champions” chaired by Jane Thomas, Dick and Jane Brown,
and Honorary Chairperson Akiko Yamazaki.
“The
Team has been very generous with me and financially I’m not
able to give a lot of money, so this is my way of trying to do my
part in raising money for the Team,” said McDonald. With her
current Athens Olympic hopeful, the Hanoverian mare Brentina owned
by Peggy Thomas, McDonald won Individual and Team Gold at the 1999
Pan Am Games, claimed the national Grand Prix Championship at the
Festival of Champions at Gladstone twice, earned Team Silver at
the 2002 World Equestrian Games, was named the 2003 World Cup Champion,
and won the 2004 US Grand Prix Freestyle Championship and US League
Final.
Bidding
for the ‘Debbie McDonald Training Package’ will take place
in a live auction on Saturday, June 19 – the final weekend
of the Athens Olympic Dressage Team Selection Trials. The auction
will be featured as part of “Celebrate With The Champions”
– a California Fiesta dinner for 300 participants held from
6:00pm to 10:00pm PST at the Oaks Bleinheim show grounds. The festive
event also features an additional silent auction and entertainment
by Felipe de las Rosa’s mariachi band and his dancers. Bidders
from across the nation will have the opportunity to participate
in the bidding through special telephone numbers designated for
the ‘Debbie McDonald Training Package’ auction that evening.
McDonald’s
generous offer provides the winning high bidder with five lessons
per week during a month’s stay at the beautiful River Grove
Farm owned by Peggy and Parry Thomas, her sponsors for more than
30 years. The winning bidder will also have the opportunity to observe
the daily work of horses and riders in training with McDonald at
River Grove Farm.
The
picturesque 60-acre River Grove Farm is nestled on a river at the
base of a mountain in Sun Valley, Idaho. Bridle trails canvas the
entire scenic property of green grass, soaring trees, and lush landscaping.
The world-class training facility includes an indoor arena with
mirrors, two outdoor dressage arenas, a jumper arena, a fully enclosed
and heated Euro-Walker with TV monitors, fenced pastures, and an
18-stall barn complete with a shoeing room and drying room with
ultra-violet lights.
The
high bidder will have the option of choosing what time of year to
spend the month in Sun Valley. In support of McDonald’s training
package offer, Peggy and Parry Thomas added the use of a condominium
they own in Sun Valley, which is located in the heart of this beautiful
resort town. World-renowned Sun Valley offers year-round activities,
seasonally ranging from snow skiing in the winter to water skiing
in summer.
“It’s
a beautiful town,” said McDonald. “And River Grove Farm
is a beautiful place where we try hard to make people feel that
they belong and are welcome. I guarantee the winning bidder a wonderful
experience.”
Auction
And “Celebrate With The Champions” Ticket Information
To attend the live auction of the Debbie McDonald Training Package
and “Celebrate With The Champions,” tickets are $100 each.
For details and reservations, contact Jane Brown at usadressage@adelphia.net
or fax to 760-438-3873.
To
participate in the Debbie McDonald Training Package auction via
telephone on June 19, bidders must register first by contacting
Mason Phelps, Jr. at Phelps Media Group, Inc. via email at mpjr@phelpsmediagroup.com.
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