Roppovalente of Ottawa, ON, gained over 11 years of experience in the equestrian industry with her former employer, Equine Canada. In her new role at Starting Gate Communications, Roppovalente will be responsible for graphic design, website development, newsletter conception and lay-out, advertising, press clipping libraries, and other multi-media functions on behalf of the extensive client base serviced by Starting Gate Communications.

“I welcome the wide variety of challenges that working with Starting Gate Communications will present,” said Roppovalente. “I am also looking forward to taking the experience I gained within the horse industry at Equine Canada and applying it to the world of communications and public relations. Working in a creative field where every day presents a new challenge will be a welcome opportunity.”

Founded in 2001, Starting Gate Communications has quickly grown to become the largest public relations company in Canada specializing in equestrian sport, particularly the three Olympic disciplines of dressage, show jumping and three day eventing. Services offered include athlete, competition and program promotion, media relations, freelance journalism, website development, advertising, magazine and newsletter publishing and promotional materials creation.

Its current roster of clients include some of the biggest names in equestrian sport such as the BMO Financial Group, the Capital Classic Show Jumping Tournament, the CDI-W Blainville Dressage International and CSI-W Blainville Show Jumping International competitions, the Equestrian Management Group, Horse Sport magazine, Just World International, Mill Creek Stables, the Royal Horse Show and the Canadian Young Horse Jumper Development Series.