Challenge Of The Americas Marks 11 Years Of Raising Money For Breast Cancer Research Story by Mary Adelaide Brakenridge Photos by Susan J. Stickle
The Challenge of the Americas has grown over the past decade into a premier equestrian exhibition, offering entertainment for equestrians and non-equestrians alike while raising money for breast cancer research. Each year’s event features teams of worldclass dressage riders performing musical quadrilles, a showcase of another equestrian discipline such as polo or jumping, and an evening gala with dinner and dancing. The challenge’s 2013 edition, held March 9 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, marked the 11th anniversary of an event that has become a highlight of the Wellington season. The 2013 edition of the Challenge of Challenge of the Americas founder and organizer Mary Ross.
the Americas, presented by SSG Gloves, saw Merrill Lynch Team International edge out Purina Team USA for the win in the quadrille competition. Team International performed an intricate pattern to a selection of recent pop music, while Team USA donned leather jackets for a rock ‘n’ roll-themed quadrille. Brothers Rick and Trevor Steed opened the evening with a reining exhibition, and spectators also enjoyed two Pas de Deux exhibitions by mother-daughter team Evi Strasser and Tanya StrasserShostak and Olympians Debbie McDonald and Mason Phelps. “I think the standard is raised every year,” said Team USA member Betsy Steiner, who has ridden in every COTA event since its debut in 2002. “It keeps developing, and the teams get better and better each year. It’s such a fun event. If we can make it fun for the audience and raise money for the cause, then we’re happy.” It began in 2002 as a small luncheon event held in conjunction with the Palm Beach Dressage Derby. Patrick Burssens, Betsy Steiner and Lynda Alicki delighted the audience with their Pas de Trois, a pattern involving three riders, and word quickly got out. The next year, six riders participated, and the event continued to expand from there, building on its winning combination of top-notch performance and charitable giving. “It was successful and fun, and more riders wanted to participate,” founder Mary Ross recalled. “So we turned it into a challenge, with international teams taking on the United States team in the quadrille.”
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The COTA teams work with top choreographers to develop a unique routine set to music. Pamela Goodrich, an international dressage competitor and trainer at the Grand Prix level, has ridden since the event’s second year. “It’s awesome,” Goodrich said. “It went from just a song and a prayer to a polished performance with great music and a great venue. It has really become a gala night instead of just a performance at a horse show. And it’s great to be able to raise money for a good cause.” The event shifted venues as it developed, finding temporary homes at the Winter Equestrian Festival and the International Polo Club Palm Beach before moving to its current location at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center. COTA proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation through Play for P.I.N.K., and the amount raised over the event’s history totals more than $8 million. Ross organized the challenge in memory of her mother, Jean Cruse, who died of breast cancer. Although Cruse was not an equestrian herself, she always supported her daughter’s involvement with horses. The event has grown into a fitting tribute to Cruse. “My mother would love the challenge!” Ross said. “She loved music and having fun, and that’s what the event is about.” Ross credits COTA’s star cast of internationally acclaimed riders with driving the success of the event. “Everybody said it wouldn’t happen — the riders would be so busy with training and competing that they wouldn’t participate,” Ross