Marlene Whitaker Volunteers Custom Freestyles to Make a Difference
Marlene Whitaker, owner of Custom Freestyle Inc., became involved with the Challenge of the Americas years ago when she was able to spend a full winter show season in Wellington, Florida. She enjoyed attending rehearsals, interacting with the riders, seeing the project evolve and watching the final outcome of the competition. Due to family elder […]
Team Winged Foot’s Jane-of-All-Trades Ruth Hogan-Poulsen
Team Winged Foot’s coach, choreographer and musical whiz Ruth Hogan-Poulsen is also the team’s costumer and head arena dragger (and pooper scooper) before practices at her Bespoke Farm in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida. She’s been a part of the Challenge of the Americas for many years and her creative choreography has been a staple of the […]
When the Theme Creates the Dream
Terry Ciotti Gallo, the choreographer, musical guru and co-coach for Team Purina, has been an integral part of the Challenge of the Americas since its inception in 2002. Throughout the years, she has used a variety of catalysts to inspire her creations and, this year, the team’s choreography began with the theme (the theme itself […]
EXCITING NEWS!
The Play for P.I.N.K. Challenge of the Americas Award presented by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in conjunction with Play for P.I.N.K. was given following the 2023 Challenge of the Americas, our most successful fundraiser to date!
COTA is Back in the Saddle in 2023
We’re back in the saddle for the 2023 Challenge of the Americas and, along with The Pink Hats (Amy & Mark Bozzone, Margaret H. Duprey, A. Ronald Johnson & Elizabeth Stauber-Johnson, Ph.D., and Mr. & Mrs. Steffen Wolff), we’re gearing up for the biggest and best Challenge ever! Let’s paint the town pink and raise […]
Top Dressage Star Diane Creech Shares Why She Volunteers for the Challenge of the Americas
Diane Creech has been a Canadian fixture in the international dressage arena for decades. She helped Team Canada earn a silver medal at the 2007 Pan Am Games and was the reserve rider for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. She is also a breast cancer survivor. “I was 44 when I was diagnosed and […]
Meet the 2022 Team Sponsors
These generous Team Sponsors have the fun of calling a team their own while helping to support breast cancer research through Play for P.I.N.K. Read on to find out why each of them support the Challenge of the Americas. “I think breast cancer research may be one of the single most important things we can […]
COTA Introduces THE PINK HATS
The Challenge of the Americas is grateful to these fantastic individuals who have banded together as COTA’s presenting sponsors, The Pink Hats. With their help and yours, we are funding vital research in our quest to find a cure for breast cancer. Margaret H. Duprey Margaret H. Duprey of Cherry Knoll Farm has been a long-time […]
Sold-Out! 2020 Challenge of the Americas a Rousing Success
The 2020 Challenge of the Americas was one to remember. The South Florida weather was picture-perfect and the atmosphere electric as a sold-out grandstand and VIP audience cheered top riders and their glittering mounts as they danced under-the-lights in the International Arena at the Global Dressage Festival Showgrounds in honor of the fight against breast […]
COTA Team Choreographers and Music Makers Give Time and Talent to Challenge Breast Cancer
Six riders and their horses enter the arena in flamboyant costumes or more traditional dressage attire; pink is the predominant color. The 12 athletes line-up in close formation and the music begins. It’s the Challenge of Americas (COTA) and, this year, five teams of Grand Prix riders and their well-trained horses will go head-to-head in […]
