Live Auction Of Debbie McDonald Training Package To Highlight June 19 Event

WELLINGTON, FL – May 3, 2004 – Sponsors from coast-to-coast have lined up to support “Celebrate With The Champions,” a fiesta dinner and auction on June 19 at Oaks / Blenheim in San Juan Capistrano, California, during the final weekend of the Dressage Team Olympic Selection Trials. The event is a benefit for the United States Equestrian Team Foundation. A highlight of the celebration is the live auction of a training package offered by Grand Prix rider Debbie McDonald to help raise funds for the Athens-bound dressage team. The package includes one month’s training with Debbie McDonald at River Grove Farm in Sun Valley, Idaho, board for one horse, and accommodations for the rider in a Sun Valley condo.

Topping the list of sponsors of Celebrate With The Champions are the “Champions Chairpersons” – Jane Thomas, Akiko Yamazaki, Linda Edwards, Lila Kommerstad, Peggy and Parry Thomas, and Dick and Jane Brown.

“Gold Champions” sponsors are: Jane Forbes Clark, Joan Cvengros, Stephen and Barbara Duzan, Linda K. Fowler, Epona Farms, Stateline Tack, and Bayer.

“Silver Champions” sponsors are: Suzanne M. Shaw, Troubleshooters, International, Flo Brown, Kim and Jerry Yacobucci, Janet Kroh, Sharon Engel Ruhnau and David Ruhnau, and Aileen and Stan Morse.

“Bronze Champions” sponsors are: Mason Phelps and Phelps Media Group, Inc., Alaska and Chris Culmone, and Karen and Frank Lloyd.

Chairperson Jane Brown reports that the fundraiser is already off to a great start – she received 40 reservations for “Celebrate With The Champions” before the invitations were mailed out. Sponsorship opportunities are still available and those wishing to contribute can contact Mrs. Brown at usadressage@adelphia.net or fax to 760-438-3873.

“Celebrate With The Champions” will be held on Saturday evening, June 19, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. Festivities included strolling mariachis, a fiesta-style dinner, silent auction, and the live auction of the Debbie McDonald Training Package.

Debbie McDonald is offering the training package as a way of personally raising money for the team. 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, the national Grand Prix Championship at the Festival of Champions at Gladstone twice, Team Silver at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, the 2003 World Cup Championship, and the 2004 US Grand Prix Freestyle Championship and US League Final.

Auction And “Celebrate With The Champions” Ticket Information

To attend “Celebrate With The Champions” and the live auction of the Debbie McDonald Training Package, tickets are $100 each. Drink tickets will be available at $5 each at the party. For reservations or sponsorship opportunities, 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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