Source:  News Release

Michael Barisone & Jane Hannigan Announce their Support Of the PVDA Ride for Life FEI Dressage Riders return to the Dancing Horse Challenge on June 25

Olney, MD – June 17, 2011 -- The Potomac Valley Dressage Association (PVDA) has announced that Michael Barisone, USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medalist and Jane Hannigan, who represented the US at the World Cup, will be riding for life in the 2011 Dancing Horse Challenge on June 25.
Mr. Barisone, a regular participant at the top levels of national and international dressage, will be sporting his freestyle form at the 2011 Dancing Horse Challenge. He has been in the elite dressage spotlight since his USDF Junior/Young Rider days and is a welcome addition to Ride for Life’s annual fundraising event to take place at Prince Georges Equestrian Center.

Jane Hannigan, has always ridden horses but became addicted to the power and beauty of dressage at 15 and has focused there ever since. She recently represented the US at the World Cup with her long time dance Grand Prix partner, Maksymilian. In Jane’s own words, “The reason I love the Ride for Life is because it helps generate money and it truly brings awareness to people that breast cancer is still a real fight. As a community through horses we can keep people involved with the fight for life. Now people can hope for a cure, but we are not there yet. With every penny donated we can get a molecule closer to a cure. I am proud to ride for every woman's life!’ Jane will be riding a pas de deux this year with the talented young rider, Jennifer Raffi.

The Dancing Horse Challenge, will be held on Saturday, June 25th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:00 p.m).. Hailed as one of the premier equestrian nights on the East Coast, ticket holders will experience equestrian prowess, music, lights and theatrical performances. Proceeds will support The Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center.

Additional riders on the bill to perform musical freestyles include Vitor Silva, acclaimed instructor and founder of the Sons of the Wind School of Equestrian Arts, Bent Jensen, an Olympian, Grand Prix champion and trainer, Shannon Dueck World Cup and Grand Prix champion and Pan AM Games Silver Medalist, KYB Dressage (Grand Prix riders) and Dutch Chapman, a two-time NRHA World Champion and acclaimed trainer. For updates about participating riders and their performances, visit www.pvdarideforlife.org.

The PVDA Ride for Life™ Dancing Horse Challenge has become one of the largest equestrian freestyle performances in the Mid-Atlantic Region popular with both the sport horse and non-equestrian communities. The event, which takes place at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, has raised over $320,000 for The Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. The Ride for Life is proudly sponsored by Prix St. Georges Corporate sponsors Dover Saddlery, Nutrena Feeds, Dressage Training Online and County Saddlery. 2011 Media sponsors include 101.9 Lite FM, The Gazette, Citypeek.com, The Equiery, Dressage Today, Modern Babies &Children, Wedding 411 on Demand, The Daily Record, MyCity4Her.com, Key103, 106.9 The Eagle, Corridor Inc, Downtown Diane, Washington Parent, The Jewish Times and Washington Post Postpoints.

About The PVDA

The Potomac Valley Dressage Association (PVDA) is the second oldest dressage club in the United States. Founded in 1964 in Gaithersburg, Md., it is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that promotes the art and sport of dressage by providing leadership, education, scholarships and competitions. PVDA membership encompasses dressage enthusiasts in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. For more information, visit www.pvdarideforlife.org.