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Sponsors Continue Support for 2010 Challenge of the Americas Breast Cancer Benefit

March 8, 2010

Wellington, FL –-– The generous sponsors of Challenge of the Americas have returned to support this year’s event, which will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010, at the beautiful International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, FL. The Challenge, in its ninth consecutive year as an annual fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, showcases equestrian sport and features a gala dinner/dance. The evening will get underway with a four-bar show jumping competition, followed by musical grand prix team quadrilles, and a unique figure skating dressage exhibition.

Presented by International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC), the 2010 Challenge will once again feature three grand prix team quadrilles performed by the “who’s who” of top riders in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. SSG Gloves will sponsor this year’s Canadian team, Purina Mills returns to sponsor Team USA, and The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch will continue their support of the international team. Each team is made up of six horses and riders that will perform intricate musical quadrilles on the main field at IPC.

Purina Mills has sponsored the Challenge for several years and the company is back in full support for 2010. Dr. Mary Beth Gordon, Director of Research and New Product Development for Purina Mill’s horse division, noted that her company’s continued sponsorship is multifold. “To be able to sponsor breast cancer research is important for us, especially now when the economy is not great and people are even more conservative with their money,” Dr. Gordon stated. “We also know that the majority of the horse loving public is women and I don’t know of any woman who hasn’t been touched by breast cancer in some way. For us it is really important to support causes that are significant not only to our company and our customers, but also to the women that we know love their horses.”

Dr. Gordon attends the Challenge every year and appreciates the unique platform that the event provides in order to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. “I have participated in breast cancer walks and I have supported relatives of mine that have done different breast cancer events, but this is truly unique,” she said. “You would be very hard pressed to find something like this anywhere else in the country if not the world. It is a way for people to contribute on all levels. The riders and their horses contribute, the choreographers and the people that help with the musical freestyle contribute, and all of the people setting up the event contribute. It involves all levels of people and all levels of horse enthusiasts. Some people come for the horses, some people come for the dinner, some people come to hang out with their friends and just have fun and I think that is what makes it really great.”

Josh Parker and Rex Seley of The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch are once again sponsoring Team International at The Challenge. The Seley Parker Group (formerly of Morgan Stanley) has sponsored Team International since 2007. Josh Parker, Wealth Management Advisor and Portfolio Manager for The Seley Parker Group of Merrill Lynch is excited for another year and looks forward to the special evening.

“It is a great cause and a wonderful way to raise awareness involving the equestrian community and also the pageantry and excitement of dressage,” Parker stated. “I have been around the equestrian community for a long time and this is the biggest event that we support each year, so we enjoy the opportunity to be a part of it.”

“The polo club is a wonderful venue and the Challenge is a fun evening to showcase the equestrian sport and enjoy dinner and dancing in support of a very important organization,” Parker added. “We have seen cancer affect a lot of people’s lives in our industry, so that is something that hits close to home, and it is high on our list of charities to support.”

In addition to quadrille team sponsors, the Challenge has many other generous supporters, including: The International Polo Club Palm Beach; USDF; MatchnRide.com; Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Insurance; Red Barn Feed & Supply; Palm Beach Equine Clinic; Neiman Marcus; Wellington Classic Dressage; ViaGen, Inc; Dover Saddlery; Back on Track; Ecogold; Platinum Seamless; Armand Professional Services; and Incredible Ice. Honorary Media Members include "The Mo and Sally Morning Show" on KOOL 105.5 and Roxanne Stein from WPTV News Channel 5.

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