United States Eventing Association

January 25, 2012, Vero Beach, FL: Samantha Lendl, Executive Director of the Professional Riders Organization (PRO) announced today that they will be provide their Professional Membership with Accident & Disability Insurance. The A&D Insurance is a new policy that PRO has designed, with the assistance of Wells Fargo Insurance Services, AmWINS Group Benefits, and underwriter Zurich Insurance, to cover professional event riders and grooms.

"Being able to provide Accident and Disability Insurance is critically important for the well-being of our membership," said Mark Hart MD, a member of PRO's board of directors. "We are very pleased to have been successful in building an association policy that covers professional riders and grooms for all horse-related accidents, whether they are working or training at home, traveling to or at a competition, or even competing abroad."

All Professional Members of PRO will be covered under the base plan, which includes $100,000 in excess medical coverage and $200 per week disability payments with a 30-day waiting period for a very reasonable annual premium. We have also been able to develop an additional buy-up plan to provide $1,000,000 excess medical and a $600 per week disability payment. This gives PRO flexibility to keep membership dues reasonable with the base plan, but provides greater flexibility to those members who need additional coverage at very affordable premiums.

"I would like to thank the Wells Fargo Insurance Services Team led by Jeanne Brandon, Senior Vice President and leader of the Integrated Benefit Solutions Practice, as well as Lou Madonna, Vice-President of AmWINS Group Benefits, for working with PRO to create this unique insurance policy," said Samantha Lendl. "The Wells Fargo team has definitely exceeded our expectations in every way and they have been extremely conscientious and thorough in building an accident and disability insurance offering that is tailored to the needs of professional event riders and grooms. We strongly believe that this is a huge step forward in ensuring that our members are taken care of both medically and financially in times when they need the most help."

The enrollment period will take place in February and is open to all professional event riders and grooms who are PRO Professional Members, or wish to become a member. For more information, please email Samantha Lendl: [email protected].