Jumpers Take Center Stage at the 2005 Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, FL – December 22, 2004 -

The ten week long Winter Equestrian Festival gets underway on January 26th, 2005, at the world renowned Palm Beach Equestrian Center, 14440 Pierson Road in Wellington, Florida. This year’s festival, the largest ever, features seven weeks of show jumping action in six different settings. The Wellington run wraps up with the CSIO 4* United States CN Finale on March 9, 2005.

The equestrians then move on to Tampa, Florida, for the final three weeks of competition, highlighted by the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, held under the lights at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday night, April 2, 2005.

Norman Dello Joio of the United States in the Samsung Nations Cup at The Winter Equestrian Festival.
Photo by Randi Muster.

The thirty-third annual Winter Equestrian Festival offers over $3 million dollars in total prize money, and features a Grand Prix series worth $1 million dollars. Jumping action begins on Wednesday morning, runs throughout the week and concludes every Sunday afternoon with the “main event.”

In addition to the $1 million dollar Grand Prix series, $450,000 in prize money is offered in the various additional divisions for Open Jumpers. There’s a $300,000 Amateur Owner section, a Junior Jumper section worth $200,000 and close to $400,000 offered for Adult Amateur, Senior and Pony Jumpers.

The show jumping action kicks off with the $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach, presented by Western Hay, CSI 2*, featured on Sunday, January 30, 2005.

Then on Sunday, February 6, 2005, it’s the CSI 3* $50,000 Bayer Wellington Cup, and on the following Sunday, February 13, 2005, the $50,000 Kilkenny/ICH International Cup, CSI 3* takes center stage.

$60,000 and valuable World Cup points are up for grabs in the Lincoln Idle Dice Classic presented by the Palm Beach Post, CSI-W on Sunday, February 20, 2005.

The Winter Equestrian Festival’s World Cup qualifying events will be the final chance for East Coast riders to grab one of the coveted seven spots available for this year’s World Cup Final to be held in Las Vegas in April .

The following week, the stakes are raised once again in the $75,000 Zada Enterprizes, LLC Masters Cup, CSI 3* on Sunday, February 27, 2005.

On Sunday, March 6, 2005, the purse is again $75,000 for the second Wellington World Cup qualifying event, the Cosequin Wellington Open, CSI-W.

Two major show jumping events highlight the final week in Wellington.

On Friday night, March 11, 2005, International teams from around the world will jump under the lights in the $50,000 Samsung Nations Cup, CSI-O, presented by CN. Teams from Belgium, Italy, France, Mexico, Columbia, Switzerland, and Canada are expected to join the United States in a show jumping spectacular under the Florida stars.

The final Sunday, March 13, 2005, features the $100,000 US Open Jumper Championship, CSI-O, presented by CN.

The highly competitive and long running WEF Challenge Cup Series is featured every Thursday afternoon in the International Arena. This nine week long series of $25,000 Grand Prix events concludes in Tampa as part of the final week of WEF.

The year long quest for national titles for top Junior and Amateur Owner jumper riders begins at the Winter Equestrian Festival with the first events of The Show Jumping Hall of Fame Series of Show Jumping on selected weekends.

On consecutive Fridays, in February and March, Junior and Amateur Owner Jumpers will thrill a night time crowd as they compete under the lights in the entertaining and always exciting Solaray Gamblers Choice.

In February, top young riders from across the globe travel to Wellington for the WEF Young Riders Team and Individual Competition, CSI-Y and FEI Children’s World Jumping Championship.

In addition to qualifying events for the North American League Children and Adult Jumper series, WEF also plays host to qualifying events for the East Coast Young Jumper Championship. The chase for end of the year championship honors begins in Wellington, Florida and concludes at the Hampton Classic in September. Classes for five, six and seven year old jumpers are offered weekly. Show days for the 2004 Winter Equestrian Festival are Wednesday through Sunday. Gates open at 8:00 am. Ticket Prices: Wednesdays are free to everyone; Children 12 and under are admitted free every day; Young Adults 13 to 18 and Seniors are $5 on Thursday through Sunday; Adults are $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is located on Pierson Road off South Shore Boulevard. For additional information, visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561-793-5867.

2005 Winter Equestrian Festival Fast Facts
EVENT: Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida
WHAT: Seven-week hunter/jumper and 3-week dressage horse show circuit produced by Stadium Jumping, Inc.
WHERE: Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club,
14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, Florida 33414

WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday 2005 Show Dates:
Jan. 26-30: Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic, CSI 2*, ‘AA’
Feb 2-6: Bayer Gold Coast Jumper Classic, CSI 3*
Feb 3-6: Wellington Dressage
Feb 9-13: Kilkenny/ICH Internationale, CSI 3*, ‘AA’
Feb 16-20: Lincoln Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular, CSI-W/Y/Ch, ‘AA- WCHRA’
Feb 17-20: Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic
Feb 23-27: Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters, CSI 3*, ‘AA’
March 2-6: Cosequin Wellington Open, CSI-W, ‘AA’
March 9-13: CN Finale, CSIO-US 4*, ‘AA’
March 17-20: Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic, CDI 3*/Y

HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: General Admission Tickets are available at the gate.
Wednesday: Admission is free. *Children 12 &Under Free Everyday
Thursday and Friday: Adults- $5.00, Seniors (65)/Children 12 & Over- $5.00
Saturday: Adults- $10.00, Seniors (65)/Children 12 & Over- $5.00
Sunday: Adults- $15.00, Seniors (65)/Children 12 & Over- $5.00
Weekly General Admission Pass- $30.00
Seasonal General Admission Pass- $125.00

VIP SEATING: Box Seats Tickets may be purchased at the gate. (Limited availability)
Location: Internationale Arena
Thursday and Friday: $15.00
Saturday: $20.00
Sunday: $30.00
Seasonal Reserved Box Seats- $250.00 per seat
VIP Tables in The Jockey Club (located at the International Arena) are available for purchase through Phelps Media Group, Inc. Please call 561-753-3389.

PARKING: Parking is free Wednesday through Sunday

DIRECTIONS: Approaching the show grounds from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit #93, Lake Worth Blvd., and travel west, crossing over 441. Travel five miles to South Shore Blvd., turn right on South Shore and proceed one mile to Pierson Road, then turn left at the light. Spectator Entrance is first left, on Equestrian Road. Approaching the show grounds from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill Blvd. 11 miles to South Shore Blvd. Turn left on South Shore and follow to Pierson Road. Turn right at the light on Pierson. Spectator Entrance is first left – Equestrian Road.

THE FACILITY: The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the site of the first outdoor Nations Cup held in the United States. The competition areas include the 400’ x 400’ grass Internationale Arena, which is surrounded by bermed seating, chalets, and VIP areas; plus the Bertalan DeNemethy Arena and Grand Hunter Field, both with all weather footing. Amenities include The Jockey Club VIP area.

PRIZE MONEY: Over $3 Million in total prize money, including:
• $1 Million Grand Prix Series
• $450,000 1.50 M-1.30M Jumper Series
• $300,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Series
• $100,000 Senior Jumper Series
• $395,000 USEF ‘AA’ Hunter Section Series
• $200,000 Junior Jumper Series
• $168,000 Adult Amateur Jumper Series
• $32,000 Children’s Jumper Series
• $9,500 Pony Jumper Series

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Sunday, Jan 30, 2:00 p.m.: $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach presented by Western Hay, CSI 2*
• Saturday, Feb 5: $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Spectacular
• Sunday, Feb 6, 2:00 p.m.: $50,000 Bayer Wellington Cup, CSI 3*
• Sunday, Feb 13, 2:00 p.m.: $50,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup, CSI 3*
• Saturday, Feb 19, 8:00 p.m.: AHJF Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach
• Sunday, Feb 20, 9:00 a.m.: $10,000 WEF Individual Young Rider Team and Individual Competition, CSI/Y Final
• Sunday, Feb 20, 2:00 p.m.: $60,000 Lincoln Idle Dice Classic presented by Palm Beach Post, CSI-W
• Friday, Feb 25, 7:00 p.m.: $15,000 Solaray Junior Jumper Gambler’s Choice
• Sunday, Feb 27, 2:00 p.m.: $75,000 Zada Enterprises, LLC Masters Cup, CSI 3*
• Friday, March 4, 7:00 p.m.: $15,000 Solaray Amateur-Owner Jumper Gambler’s Choice
• Sunday, March 6, 2:00 p.m.: $75,000 Cosequin Florida Open Grand Prix, CSI-W
• Friday, March 11, 7:00 p.m.: $50,000 Samsung Nations Cup CSIO 4* presented by CN
• Sunday, March 13, 2:00 p.m.: $100,000 US Open Jumper Championship CSIO 4* presented by CN

FOOD: A diverse menu of food and beverages is available at the vendor courtyard and at vendors around the Internationale Arena, and are open during show hours.

SHOPPING: The vendor courtyard and individual booths around the Internationale Arena both offer equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry, and home furnishings.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: The Winter Equestrian Festival, produced by Eugene R. Mische and Stadium Jumping, Inc., is the largest and longest consecutively running sporting event in the world. It is also the largest equestrian event and major contributor to Palm Beach County’s $553+ million equestrian industry. (Courtesy of Palm Beach County Equestrian Commission, Inc.)

PALM BEACH POLO EQUESTRIAN CLUB: 14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL, 33414; Tel: 561-793-JUMP; Fax: 561-753-7727; Website: www.stadiumjumping.com

STADIUM JUMPING, INC.: Corporate Office- 1301 Sixth Ave West, Suite 406, Bradenton, FL, 34205; Tel: 941-744-5465; Fax: 941-744-0874; Website: www.stadiumjumping.com