Gladstone, NJ – Several area Pony Clubs will gather at the Oaks Blenheim Show Grounds in San Juan Capistrano, CA, on Thursday, June 26, to hear Olympian Charlotte Bredahl-Baker give a presentation entitled “Real Athletes Show Respect.” This USOC-sponsored event will be held in conjunction with the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) Selection Trials for Dressage at Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions, and will highlight the importance of good sportsmanship in competition.

Bredahl-Baker will share her experiences as an Olympic athlete as well as stories of other Olympians who displayed respect and good sportsmanship. “I am honored to be giving the Sportsmanship Presentation,” she said, “To me, sportsmanship is the most important part of every sport and has been the first thing I talk about when I have been Chef d'Equipe for the National Junior Teams in the past.”

The clubs participating in the presentation include Riverside Hills Pony Club, Ramona Vicente Pony Club, Poway Valley Pony Club, Rainbow of the Foothills Pony Club, Sandia Creek Ranch Pony Club Riding Center, Rising Star Pony Club, Fallbrook Pony Club, and Horse of the Sky Pony Club.

The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is coordinating the appearances of Olympians and Paralympians in conjunction with its multi-year National Olympic Education Program, which promotes Olympic Ideals and Values. The program theme for 2008 is “Real Athletes Show Respect” and includes a strong message about the importance of valuing others.

Olympians and Paralympians will speak to middle and high school students about their personal history and experiences as athletes and representatives of the United States. Each Olympian and Paralympian will be supplied a DVD with Olympic highlight footage and stories of athletes whose actions espouse the positive aspects of Olympic and sport competition.

For more information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at 719-866-4529.