WELLINGTON: Helping to raise awareness about the fight to cure paralysis, 28 professional and/or Olympic equestrians will be donating their time throughout the Superstar Awareness Weekend, Jan. 17-18, 2004, at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) show grounds. This event was created to thank the dozens of healthcare providers, physicians and specialists from Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Trauma Hawk emergency helicopters, the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and others who will be providing healthcare and emergency services to WEF riders as necessary this season.

Last year at WEF, Grand Prix rider and Superstar Awareness Weekend organizer/volunteer Debbie Stephens fell from her horse and received improper care in the crucial first 48 hours, which could have ended her career as a professional athlete. Debbie attributes her proper care and rehabilitation to the Miami Project. She has dedicated her life to raising awareness about paralysis and the immediate need to bring proper healthcare to the equestrian community. The Superstar Awareness Weekend is just one step in the efforts to address this need.

During the Superstar Awareness Weekend, the best and brightest stars in Hunter, Jumper, Dressage and course design will be conducting clinics and seminars for competitors and interested spectators. In addition, a silent auction, entertainment and guest speakers will highlight the first annual WEF Kickoff Exhibitors' Dinner, sponsored by Stadium Jumping and Outback Steakhouse on Jan. 17 starting at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the weekend's clinics and silent auction will benefit the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

Generously contributing their time and talents to this spectacular event are:
" Molly Ashe - Two-time Budweiser American Invitational champion
" Kevin Babington - Irish Equestrian Team veteran
" Ken Berkley - One of the nation's leading Hunter riders
" Donald Cheska - U.S. Equestrian Team veteran
" Margie Goldstein-Engle - Seven-time Rider of the Year
" Joe Fargis - Three-time Olympic medallist
" Kimberly Frye - U.S. Equestrian Team veteran
" Jose Gamarra - Leading international course designer
" Lauren Hough - Sydney Olympic veteran
" Leslie Howard - Two-time Olympic medallist
" Chris Kappler - 2003 Pan American Games team Gold and individual Silver medallist
" Candice King - U.S. Equestrian Team veteran
" Laura Kraut - Sydney Olympic veteran
" Anne Kursinski - Four-time Olympic veteran
" Mark Leone - U.S. Equestrian Team veteran
" Beezie Madden - 2003 Pan American Games team Gold medallist
" Todd Minikus - 2001 USA Equestrian Athlete of the Year
" Holly Orlando - One of the nation's leading Hunter riders
" Louise Serio - One of the nation's leading Hunter riders
" Tom Serio - One of the nation's leading Hunter riders
" Debbie Stephens - Two-time Pan American Games team Bronze medallist
" Steve Stephens - Top Grand Prix rider turned top course designer
" Scott Stewart - One of the nation's leading Hunter riders
" Jimmy Torano - U.S. Equestrian Team veteran
" Aaron Vale - Winner of 16 Grand Prix (U.S. record)
" McLain Ward - Two-time Rider of the Year
" Jeff Welles - U.S. Equestrian Team veteran
" Laine Wimberly - One of the nation's leading riders

These superstar equestrians will share their knowledge and expertise with competitors and enthusiasts alike from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day during Superstar Awareness Weekend (10 sessions per day). The cost for riders is $200 per session. Class sizes are limited. Spectators may audit the sessions for free, however, donations will be accepted. Proceeds and donations will benefit the Buoniconti Fund, which raises money exclusively for the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. The world's most comprehensive research center on spinal cord injury and paralysis resulting from spinal cord damage, the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis is dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for paralysis.

For more information about Superstar Awareness Weekend or to register to attend a clinic, contact Megan Mulrooney at (570) 881-5854. Check out www.miamiproject.org for more details about the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

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