CEO/President RICHARD HUMPHREY PROUDLY CONGRATULATES Award-Winning Classical Ballet Dancers & Circus Artists ASHLEE MONTAGUE & RICHARD HANKES On Their 3,000thPerformance For THE RIDE- January 6, 2013

THE CHOREOGRAPHED MILESTONE On Sunday, January 6th, 2013 at 2:00pm, THE RIDE’S award-winning classical ballet dancers and emerging circus stars, ASHLEE MONTAGUE and RICHARD HANKES, will perform their acclaimed pas de deux for the 3,000th time at Columbus Circle, just underneath Gaetano Russo’s marble, granite and bronze monument to Christopher Columbus while being embraced by the mists of the Fountains-of-Bellagio-inspired, world famous water fountains. Universally praised by National critics, applauded by over 75,000 RIDERS and admired by hundreds and thousands of pedestrians; MS. MONTAGUE and MR. HANKES have performed every day and night for two years no matter how the New York weather performed. Every day and night.   For the fortunate ticket holders on THE RIDE.   For the lucky crowds at the Columbus Circle Fountain.   For the bedazzled passers-by.   For the local merchants.   For the denizens of Central Park.   For eachother.

During balmy star-drenched June evenings they dazzle. During soft rainy afternoons they enchant. During snowy winter nights they glitter. During crisp, clear, freezing weekends they shimmer. During National Holidays they inspire. Supported by a disarmingly charming symphonic score THE COLUMBUS CIRCLE BALLET is the 29th event/number on THE RIDE. It’s a stunner.

ABOUT ASHLEE MONTAGUE and RICHARD HANKES
Ashlee Montague and Richard Hankes are New York City based classical ballet dancers and circus artists.  They met in while studying ballet at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia, and have been performing together for over five years. Richard trained on full scholarship throughout his studies at some of the most prestigious schools in the world, and received the bronze medal at Youth American Grande Prix for the classical pas de deux, Spring Waters. In 2009 Ashlee was accepted into American Ballet Theater’s summer program in New York City, and this sparked their decision to move to New York and explore the opportunities the city had to offer.  After Ashlee’s second summer spent studying at ABT, she was offered both a traineeship contract with the Joffrey Ballet, and The Ride for which she would originate the role of the Columbus Circle Ballerina.   She took the offer from The Ride and Richard joined her, and created and choreographed the now iconic role. When they are not performing for The Ride they spend their time training and creating their circus acts. By combining their classical ballet technique and training with the aerial and acrobatic skills of the circus arts, they are excited by the ever-expanding realm of possibilities that await them.