Each year, the New England Equitation Championships (NEEC) recognizes one highly-deserving professional with the NEEC Lifetime Achievement Award. This year, on the 40th anniversary of the NEEC, the leading regional championships recognized the event’s co-founder, Phelps Media Group’s own Mason Phelps Jr.
Phelps was awarded the honor on Thursday evening at the Eastern States Coliseum in a presentation recognizing his extensive contributions to the NEEC and the equestrian community. Prior to presenting Phelps with the award, the show reflected on its rich 40-year history and Phelps’ involvement in making it all possible.
Mason Phelps Jr. presented with the 2015 New England Equitation Championships Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo by Anne Gittins Photography.
In the 1970s, Phelps moved from California to Rhode Island, transitioning from a region where equitation regional finals were prevalent to one where none existed, and he set about changing that. Phelps quickly became a board member of the Rhode Island Horseman’s Association and the New England Horseman’s Council; then, with the help of Liz Rooney and Gerry Reeves, he began the process of convincing the New England Horseman’s Council that an equitation medal final was needed. At that time, they created the New England Equitation Committee, and the New England Equitation Championships were born.
The New England Equitation Championship Final made its debut in 1976 as one class at a horse show at the Providence Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island with just 17 junior riders in the class. With Phelps’ ongoing guidance, the New England Equitation Championship Final became its own event in 1984.
A throwback to the early days of the New England Equitation Championships
The New England Equitation Championships has grown to welcome 206 junior and 164 adult riders in 2014, and Phelps remains a prominent and influential member of the equestrian community as the founder and president of Phelps Media Group.
“Mason is so deserving of Lifetime Achievement Award here at our New England Championships because without his drive over 40 years ago to create the Medal, the event would not be what it is today – maybe even not be at all!” said Amy Eidson, co-chairman of the NEEC. “In addition to this, he has done many things for the horse industry here in New England such as the International Jumping Derby which was held at his Glen Farm in Rhode Island which was a one of a kind event. For the 40th Anniversary of the Championships he was the one to honor!”
Read more about Phelps and Phelps Media Group online here.
Source: press release
