WELLINGTON, FL – January 7, 2008 – The Challenge of the Americas (COTA) Fantasy Team Challenge, a benefit for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), is pleased to announce that Gift Certificates from tack and saddlery companies will be awarded as prizes to the top six team sponsors in both the dressage and show jumping divisions.
Gift Certificates will be awarded in both divisions as follows: First Place-$1,500; Second-$750; Third-$500; Fourth-$250; Fifth-$100; and Sixth-$50.
Team sponsors eligible to win the prizes are participants in the COTA Fantasy Team Challenge who create a dream team of four actual dressage riders or show jumpers online at www.challengeoftheamericas.com.
The fantasy team can include any rider competing within the U.S. and participating in at least three USEF sanctioned competitions. The team sponsors can be individuals, groups, or businesses.
Team sponsors enroll in the COTA Fantasy Team Challenge Series online at www.challengeoftheamericas.com by making a donation of $150 to the BCRF when they select their team. Team sponsors' donations entitle them to continuous access to current team standings. Sponsors are allowed to make changes to their team in the current Fantasy until January 31.
It's fun and easy to play, and all for a good cause. New team sponsor Diane V. writes, "I just figured out the fantasy teams! I can choose two of the top professionals for the first and second spots and then put myself and one of my friends in the third and fourth spots! What a fun way to be on a team with riders that we admire! So now I will watch more closely to see what scores they get and try to get my own scores as high as I can! When they win, I can win! Thanks again for setting up such a fun idea!"
The COTA Fantasy Team Challenge Series includes both a Winter Fantasy and a Summer Fantasy, providing everyone within the U.S. the opportunity to sponsor a Fantasy Team. The Winter Series now underway ends on March 31, 2008. The Summer Series begins on April 1, 2008, and ends on November 30, 2008.
"It's important to get into the competition early so you have as much time as possible to drop team riders' lower scores and replace them with higher scores," noted Mary Ross, founder of the Challenge of the Americas and co-founder, with Betsy Steiner, of the COTA Fantasy Team Challenge. "If your horse and rider combinations show in more than the required three shows, you can select their best scores out of all their competitions, but you can only choose scores from the time you make your donation and select a team. If you select a combination that for any reason is not working out, you can select a different combination to replace them up until January 31. The earlier you get in, the more opportunities you have to key in on the best combinations and the best scores."
Ross pointed out that one of the most important elements of putting a team together is including oneself or friends and family on a team with the top-ranked USEF riders. Rankings for the riders are available at www.usef.org and www.usdf.org.
"If I were showing and I created a Fantasy Team, I'd put me on the team!" enthused Ross. "That's what really makes this Fantasy fun."
This Week's Fantasy Picks...
Dressage:
Grand Prix – Courtney King and Mythilus
Intermediaire – Michelle Gibson and Don Angelo
Fourth or Third Level (non-pro) – Sarah Baggette and Reminiscent (Third Level)
Second or First Level (non-pro) – Julie Hesse and Maude RF (Second Level)
Show Jumping:
Grand Prix: Beezie Madden and Authentic
Amateur Owner Jumper: Stephanie Riggio and Indian Summer
Adult Amateur Jumper: Megan Edrick and Kandel
Junior Jumper: Karl Cook and Uno de Laubry
For a detailed description of the COTA Fantasy Team Challenge Series rules, regulations and bonus point opportunities, visit www.challengeoftheamericas.com.
By Mary Hilton
Newsroom Associate
Staff Writer
support@horsesinthesouth.com