Contact:
United States Equestrian Federation, Inc.
4047 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, KY 40511-8483
Tel: (859) 258-2472
Fax (859) 231-6662
Web site: www.usef.org
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2008

By Joanie Morris

Chicago, IL -- Legends define themselves.

Mike Plumb defined himself with eight Olympic Games. He defined the sport of Eventing for four decades -- but tonight the US Olympic Hall of Fame will define him as a legend -- across all sports.

The first Equestrian in history will be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame tonight, June 19, at the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theatre in downtown Chicago. He will stand on the stage with fellow sporting icons: John Morgan, Bruce Baumgarder, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Brian Boitano, Oscar De La Hoya, Karch Kiraly, David Robinson, Amy van Dyken, Lones Wigger, Carol Heiss Jenkins, Carlo Fassi, the 1996 Women's Gymnastic Team and Frank Marshall.

This isn't about a legend in Equestrian sport anymore. This is about the best athletes to ever set foot on the Olympic stage.

Plumb's unprecedented career has spanned more than four decades and his impact on the sport continues to be profound. Plumb marched in eight Opening Ceremonies: beginning in 1960 and missing only one team (1988 due to an injury) through 1992. Known for his diligent preparation, attention to detail and the ability to deliver a clutch performance when it mattered most -- Plumb contributed to five team Olympic medals. He also won Individual Silver in 1976 in Montreal. He won two Team (and one Individual) Gold medals during the 1960 at the Pan American Games and never came home without a medal in his three trips to World Championships.

Since he has retired from top-level competition he teaches, rides and trains at his Southern Pines, NC farm. Never a public figure, Plumb would prefer the pressure to riding in an anchor spot for a Gold medal than standing in front of the world recognizing his achievement.

"Olympics, however many there were, were a walk in the park compared to this," said Plumb on June 16. "This thing scares the life out of me. I don't really know what to expect. I know all about the eventing stuff, I know eventing, what it feels like before the dressage, the cross-country and the show jumping. This stuff, I don't know what to expect or how this is going to make me feel. This is a big performance. Compared to competing, that wasn't simple and it made me nervous, but this is a big deal. I feel a little out of my league, having watched Cal Ripken and people like that at the Baseball Hall of Fame, they are pretty good speakers. I've got a lot going through my head, I just hope it comes out right."

But for tonight, there is no right or wrong, there are only legends.

For more information, contact Joanie Morris, High Performance Communications Manager at jmorris@usef.org

ENDS

The vision of the United States Equestrian Federation(r) is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America by promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grassroots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its human and equine athletes.