WELLINGTON, FL – February 18, 2006 – “It’s a very friendly rivalry,” said Pamela Goodrich, one of the six riders who will participate in the Quadrille for Team Purina Mills USA in the Cadillac Challenge of the Americas on March 11 in Wellington, Florida. The Americans will be competing against last year’s victors, Team Canada, and Team International Sponsored by Morgan Stanley and the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches for the title of “Dressage Team of the Americas.”

This year’s event marks the fourth time that Goodrich will ride in the annual event, which has been held for five consecutive years in Wellington to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. “This is for the cause,” noted Goodrich. “I don’t have enough money to contribute personally, but I am definitely for the cause so anything I can do to raise money and make people aware, I’m happy to do. On top of that it’s really fun and we have a great time!”

In preparation for the Cadillac Challenge of the Americas, three teams of international world-class riders meet at different locations each week starting months in advance of the competition date to rehearse the intricate routines of their musical freestyles, which are performed in two formats – the Pas de Deux and the Quadrille. The Pas de Deux (two horses and two riders) will constitute 40% of the team’s final score, and the Team Quadrille (six horses and six riders) will count 60%.

Compared to the other teams, the Americans have the advantage of fielding the largest number of “Challenge” veterans. Betsy Steiner and Lynda Alicki are two of the original three that performed in the first “Challenge” in 2002, and are both competing for their fifth consecutive year; Pam Goodrich, Bent Jensen, and George Williams are four-year veterans; and Susan Jaccoma and Leslie Morse are two-year veterans. Charlotte Bredahl Baker, who will perform the Pas de Deux with Morse, is competing in the Cadillac Challenge this year for the first time.

At the Team Purina Mills USA practice on February 15, riders attired in their blue rehearsal shirts with their sponsor’s logos, worked on their Quadrille with choreographer Beth Zimsky. They shared some of their observations and feelings about the event, which has grown from a three-horse exhibition at a benefit luncheon five years ago to its current status as a competition for three international teams of eight riders each held at night with a gala, dinner, dancing and auction.

In this year’s Cadillac Challenge, Betsy Steiner will ride Wurlitzer owned by Susan and Don Sobeck in the Team Quadrille. “I think the competition gets more and more exciting every year,” observed Steiner. “We’re all pretty serious about doing it well and putting on something really, really good for the public to enjoy. It’s also about bringing more attention to the sport at a very high level as well as doing something good for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the community.”

Bent Jensen will ride Liberty Light owned by Randy Barenholtz in the Team Quadrille. “ It’s lots of fun. I love the practicing every Wednesday,” he said. Jensen acknowledged that riding to benefit the BCRF is especially meaningful for him because four years ago he had a number of friends battling cancer, which inspired him to ride in the 2003 Challenge and continue every year since

Susan Jaccoma aboard her own Jellowa will also ride in the Quadrille. “I’m much better at it this year than I was last year,” she said. “I love the fact that it’s team competition, helping breast cancer research, and getting people together to have fun with the sport. It’s fun to be in competition with other teams that are actually our friends and co-workers. And the public can enjoy watching beautiful, well-trained horses doing Grand Prix movements.”

For the second year in a row, Lynda Alicki will ride L’Aviateur owned by Susan Gohl in the quadrille. “This event has grown tremendously. Each year it’s becoming bigger and bigger,” said the five-year Challenge veteran. “I think it’s great that it’s a competition now rather than an exhibition because that’s a lot more compelling for the audience to watch. And it’s great for the Foundation. I’m happy to do everything I can for this whole event and the cause.”

George Williams will ride Marnix owned by Chuck and Joann Smith in the quadrille. “For me it’s a lot of fun because of the camaraderie with the other riders,” Williams said. “And I think that the audience really gets into it because they can sense the camaraderie in the performance. It makes the whole evening and the whole event a lot of fun, and it’s great support for a good cause.”

First-timer Charlotte Bredahl Baker will ride Komo owned by Kathy Pavlich in the Pas de Deux with partner Leslie Morse aboard Tip Top. Baker shared, “It’s a great cause and I’m really honored and excited to be part of it.”

Attending the practice to watch their team rehearse for the Cadillac Challenge were two representatives from Purina Mills – Richard M. Fore, Purina Mills District Manager, Gulf Coast, and Carlos E. Munoz, Purina Mills Equine Specialist, South Florida.

Fore recounted that Tracy Freeman, an equine specialist in Pennsylvania for Purina Mills, along with rider Betsy Steiner, came up with the idea of the sponsorship. Freeman wrote a proposal and Fernando Palacios, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Land O’ Lakes Purina Feeds, approved it. “Mr. Palacios will be attending the Cadillac Challenge with his whole family,” noted Fore.

“Basically, we’re feeding most of the team riders’ horses, and by sponsoring the USA team it’s an easy way to say ‘thank-you and we appreciate the business you give to us’,” explained Munoz. “This is also a way for Purina Mills to help support the sport of dressage as well to help support the research for breast cancer.”

The Cadillac Challenge of the Americas Schedule of Festivities

Saturday, March 11, 2006, International Polo Club Palm Beach, Wellington, Florida

5:30 pm Opening Freestyle ridden by Leslie Morse with Tip Top

The Cadillac Challenge Competition: Pas de Deux and Team Quadrilles performed at the Grand Prix level

7:30 pm Awards Ceremony – “Dressage Team of the Americas” title presented

8:00 pm The Challenge Gala: Dinner, Dancing, and Live Auction in the International Polo Club Palm Beach Grand Marquee

The 24 riders in the Cadillac Challenge are world-class competitors. Riders are:

• Team Purina Mills USA: Quadrille Riders – Betsy Steiner, George Williams, Lynda Alicki, Pamela Goodrich, Bent Jensen, and Susan Jaccoma. Pas de Deux Riders – Leslie Morse and Charlotte Bredahl Baker.
• Team Canada: Quadrille Riders – Shannon Dueck, Susan Dutt-Roth, Ashley Holzer, Cheryl Meisner Linssen, Lisette Milner, and Tom Dvorak. Pas de Deux Riders – Jacqueline Brooks and Evi Strasser.
• Team International sponsored by Morgan Stanley and Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches: Quadrille Riders – Marco Bernal, Patrick Burssens, Mimi Block, Silke Rembacz, Jan Brons, and Karen Lipp. Pas de Deux Riders – Tina Konyot and Katherine Bateson-Chandler.

Sponsors of The Challenge

Cadillac is the Official Vehicle of the Cadillac Challenge of the Americas and the event’s title sponsor; Purina Mills is the USA team sponsor; Morgan Stanley and Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches is the Team International sponsor; Cunningham & Cunningham is the event insurance sponsor; and Wild Horse Winery is the official wine for the gala and cocktail party. Promotional Partners for the Cadillac Challenge are: the United States Dressage Federation (USDF); Equestriangraphics.com; DressageDaily.com; HorseSport USA; and Equestrianmag.com. Tiffany is the sponsor for the trophies and rider gifts. Ecogold of Canada will award coolers to the winning team.

Ticket and Table Information

Single VIP tickets are available at $250. General admission tickets are $20 each.

Tables are available at the Gold, Silver, and Bronze level. Tables are for 10 guests.

Gold Table Sponsor: $6,500 includes premier box seating at the competition and premier seating at the gala for 10 guests. In addition, Gold Table Sponsors will receive table signage, as well as patron recognition on event invitations, in the event program, and on promotional posters to be displayed throughout the Wellington community.

Silver Patron: $4,000 includes box seating at the competition and prominent seating at the gala for 10 guests. Silver Patrons will receive recognition in invitations and the event program.

Bronze Patron: $2,500 includes box seating at the competition and a table at the gala for 10 guests.

For Tickets and Table reservations and information, please visit the Cadillac Challenge of the Americas website at www.barnbook.com/challenge.html or contact Mary Ross, chairman of the Cadillac Challenge, at 561-852-2591.

PHOTO by SusanJStickle.com - featuring Team Purina Mills USA (l-r) Pamela Goodrich, George Williams, Betsy Steiner, Bent Jensen, Susan Jaccoma, Charlotte Bredahl Baker, Lynda Alicki, Carlos E. Munoz (Purina Mills Equine Specialist, South Florida), Beth Zimsky (choreographer), and Richard M. Fore, Purina Mills District Manager, Gulf Coast.