WELLINGTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mark Bellissimo and Donald Trump are pleased to announce that they will host the first annual $100,000 Trump Invitational to benefit the 2013 FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments® (FTI GCC). A FEI-rated show jumping event, it will be held on the grounds of the stunning Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, FL, on Sunday, January 6, 2013, at 12 p.m.
Mar-a-Lago, the former Marjorie Merriweather Post Estate purchased and restored by Trump in 1985, is one of the most spectacular mansions in the world and in the national register of historic places and a designated U.S. National Landmark. It will be the first ever equestrian event held on Palm Beach Island and will serve as an exciting kick-off to the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival, the 12-week circuit that runs at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on January 9 - March 31, 2013.
The Trump Invitational will be a fundraiser for the 2013 FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge presented by Fidelity Investments®, an event that raises and distributes over one million dollars annually for 32 lucky Palm Beach County charities in a pro-am team competition that takes place in late January. The FTI GCC event was founded by Mark Bellissimo and his daughter Paige, and has raised and distributed over $2.7 million over the last three years. The event is targeting to raise $1.3 million this year.
"We are very excited about this event and the chance to have equestrian sport for the first time on Palm Beach Island," said ESP CEO Mark Bellissimo. "It will be a spectacular event at a breathtaking waterfront setting. It will be a great chance to promote the sport and the athletes, all while raising money for the million-dollar FTI Consulting Great Charity Challenge. It has been a pleasure teaming up with the Trump organization and it should be one of the highlights of the 2013 winter season."
Donald Trump, who will be drawing a "wild card" charity for the FTI GCC, added, "After attending last year's Nations Cup in Wellington, I thought Mar-a-Lago would be a perfect and world-class setting to showcase the sport, kick off the 2013 equestrian season, and raise money for some great local charities."
Show jumpers Georgina Bloomberg and Paige Bellissimo will co-chair the event, and it will include sponsorship by the Suncast Corporation, G&C Farm, and Gut Einhaus.
The $100,000 Trump Invitational will highlight a slew of Olympians and international riders, as well as some of the world's top young riders all competing on the great lawn of Mar-a-Lago overlooking the Intercoastal Waterway.
2012 Olympic gold medalists Nick Skelton and Ben Maher will lead a cast that includes fellow Olympians Mclain Ward, Laura Kraut, Lauren Hough, Ian Millar, Margie Engle, Leslie Howard, and Rodrigo Pessoa.
Top-ranked show jumpers Lauren Tisbo, Kent Farrington, Christine McCrea, Charlie Jayne, Brianne Goutal, Kirsten Coe, and Candice King will be in attendance, along with international riders Shane Sweetnam, Tiffany Foster, Alvaro de Miranda Neto and Athina Onassis de Miranda.
Olympic teen sensation Reed Kessler will join the field along with other up-and-coming stars Jessica Springsteen, Katie Dinan, and Catherine Pasmore.
Along with top show jumping competition, there will be a seaside garden party and brunch for spectators, as well as a meet and greet rider poolside party after the event.
If you would like to attend this historic show jumping event, or are interested in competing, please call Anne Caroline Valtin at 561.784.1133 or annecaroline@equestriansport.com. Table Seating is very limited and you must RSVP by December 15, 2012. Tables will be fulfilled on a first come, first served basis.
About the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival
The 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) has 12 weeks of world class competition running from January 9 through March 31, 2013. The FTI WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. All 12 weeks are "AA" rated and Jumper Rated 6, with approximately $7 million in prize money awarded.
About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.56 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2011. More information can be found at http://www.fticonsulting.com.
About Fidelity Investments
Fidelity Investments is one of the world's largest providers of financial services, with assets under administration of $3.8 trillion, including managed assets of $1.6 trillion, as of October 31, 2012. Founded in 1946, the firm is a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and many other financial products and services to more than 20 million individuals and institutions, as well as through 5,000 financial intermediary firms. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit http://www.fidelity.com.