For Immediate Release: October 4, 2005

USRider Recognizes Hurricane Evacuation Service Provider

Lexington, KY (Oct. 4, 2005) – With two massive hurricanes slamming into the Gulf Coast within a month, the news is full of stories of heartbreak, destruction and chaos. However, amid the widespread devastation and turmoil, numerous individuals have taken the opportunity to show their compassion by selflessly helping those in need.

One such person is Chip Gibson, who works at Tommy’s Paint and Body Shop in Conroe, Texas.

What did Mr. Gibson do that was so extraordinary? To tell the truth, he was simply doing his job. However, what makes the story so interesting is that he was performing his duties in the midst of a massive evacuation before the imminent landfall of Hurricane Rita.

Gibson’s employer is one of the thousands of service providers contracted by the USRider Equestrian Motor Plan to render roadside assistance to its members and their horses.

USRider provides roadside assistance and towing services along with other travel-related benefits to its members through the Equestrian Motor Plan. In addition to the typical flat-tire repair, battery assistance and lock-out services, the motor plan offers services designed with horse owners in mind, including towing and roadside assistance for a loaded horse trailer.

In the hours before Hurricane Rita reached land, Gibson had been summoned to assist USRider Member Mike Maul from Alvin, Texas. While leaving the Houston area during the mass evacuation, Maul had experienced a roadside emergency and was in great need of help. The rear tire on his truck had blown while he was towing a trailer carrying three horses.

Maul, who is vice president of the American Endurance Ride Conference (www.aerc.org), is a longtime member of USRider. Immediately after pulling to the side of the road, he dialed the toll-free number on his USRider member card and hoped that someone would be able to help him.

A confident voice on the other end of the line assured Maul that a service truck would be dispatched to his location. And a short while later, despite the gridlock traffic, a technician arrived to assist Maul. After examining the truck’s spare tire, Gibson determined that it was unsafe to use. So he drove Maul and the tire to the nearest Wal-Mart to get a replacement. He then returned Maul to his disabled truck. With the evacuating residents clogging the roadways, this simple errand took four and a half hours.

Gibson replaced the flat tire and got Maul and his precious cargo on their way out of town safely.

“I saw video reports of people fleeing the area and was amazed that we were able to provide service to anyone,” said Mark Cole, managing member for USRider. “Gibson truly went above and beyond the call of duty and he deserves special recognition for going the extra mile for one of our members under the most extreme circumstances.”

Maul concurs. He contacted USRider to commend Gibson and the service he provided. “I’m very pleased with the service I received from USRider,” said Maul. “I’m very glad to be a customer.”

For more information about the USRider Equestrian Motor Plan, visit www.usrider.org online or call 1-800-844-1409.

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