Wellington, Florida—November 22, 2002—The 119th National Horse Show, the most prestigious horse show in the United States, will make its debut at The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington from November 26 through December 1, 2002. The National, founded in 1883, brings together the best horses and riders in the U. S. competing in the well-known equestrian disciplines of hunters, jumpers, equitation dressage and ladies’ sidesaddle.

For the first time in several years, dressage will be part of The National’s schedule and will be called “Dressage at The National”. The dressage competitions will take place on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1.

Robert Dover, five-time U. S. Olympic dressage rider and three-time Bronze Medalist, is coming out of retirement to compete at The National. He will be riding “Ramazon”, a 14-year-old Russian-bred, who has recently been winning many top dressage events in Europe. Dover retired from the show ring after the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but has continued his active involvement in the sport by training horses and riders.

Dover is grateful to National Horse Show chairman Gene Mische for bringing The National to Wellington and for including dressage as part of the event.

Other top dressage riders who will be competing at The National include Bethany Peslar and Janna Rumbough, both of Palm Beach, as well as veterans Bent Jensen, Lynda Alicki, Heather Bender, Marco Bernal, Jan Brons and Tina Konyot.

The 119th National Horse Show runs Tuesday, November 26, through Sunday, December 1, with competition beginning at 8:00 am and continuing throughout each day. Friday evening’s “Jumping Under the Stars” competition begins at 7:00 pm. Tickets, Tuesday through Saturday, are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors; on Sunday tickets sell for $15 for adults and $7 for seniors. Children 12 & under are always admitted free. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, admission is free to all. Tickets are available at the gate or by phoning (800) 237-8924 or (561) 753-3389. Entrance to the Equestrian Center is on Pierson Road in Wellington, where parking is free on all days.

For more information on the 119th National Horse Show, please contact Mason Phelps, Jr., Barbara Lundy or Beverly Lake Wilkes at (561) 753-3389.