New York – March 18, 2010 – As Courtney King-Dye, a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Dressage Team, remains in a coma in a Florida hospital after suffering a serious head injury earlier this month, an award winning New York fashion designer and two California equine photographers hope that sales of a t-shirt honoring Courtney will help with the mounting expenses associated with her medical care.

The black-on-white silkscreened t-shirt for women and men, designed by indie designer and horse lover Elektra, features a photograph of Courtney by nationally recognized equine photographer Terri Miller and the words "ComeBackCourt," a slogan created by Courtney's husband, Jason Dye. It is available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/coup?section_id=6883992 for $30, and 100% of the profits will go to a fund organized to help pay Courtney's medical expenses. Equine photographer and amateur dressage competitor Sheryl L. Ross originated the project and brought Elektra and Miller together for the effort.

"I'm like a lot of people in the horse world when you hear of someone at Courtney's level being so seriously injured in the sport we all love," said Ross. "Your first thought is, ‘If it could happen to her, it could happen to me.' Your second thought is, ‘I wonder what can I do to help?' Here's our answer: Buy one of these beautiful shirts for yourself, and then buy one for everyone you know. Every dollar of profit will benefit Courtney and her family."

Said Courtney's husband, Jason Dye, of the fundraising effort, "I am continually amazed by the outpouring of support from all over the world. Courtney would love and appreciate that the dressage community is pulling for her."


About Elektra
Elektra is an indie designer and inspired 2007 FIT (Fashion Institute of NYC) fashion design graduate with a silkscreen printing addiction, a passion for entrepreneurship, and an insatiable appetite for urban design. For most of her childhood and youth, she wanted to be a veterinarian, so her equestrian shirts and art imbue her love of and respect for nature, despite her recent foray into the world of fashion design. Her designs have a wide appeal, and have been worn by celebrities from Madonna to Nelson Mandela. Her designs, including "ComeBackCourt," are available at her online store, COUP, at http://www.etsy.com/shop/coup.
About Terri Miller
Terri Miller is unique in the horse world. Not only is she one of the most sought after equine photographers in the country, but she is also a nationally recognized painter who accepts commissioned portraits in oils and graphite. Her photographs continually appear in a host of magazines including People, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Fine Homes, Practical Horsemen, Dressage Today and Equus. For more information, visit http://www.terrimiller.com/.
About Sheryl L. Ross
Sheryl L. Ross began her career as a hunter-jumper equestrian trainer and judge, and after a 15-year career in marketing for technology companies, made the switch to equine photography and design for equestrians. For more information about her photography, visit http://sheryllrossphotography.com; for her design, visit http://www.equusartanddesign.com.
About Courtney King
For ongoing updates about Courtney's condition from her husband, Jason Dye, visit her website at http://www.courtneykingdressage.com.

Press Contact:
Sheryl L. Ross
650-245-0911
[email protected]

Founded in 1973, the United States Dressage Federation is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to education, recognition of achievement, and promotion of dressage. For more information about USDF membership or programs, visit www.usdf.org, email [email protected], or call (859) 971-2277.