Wellington, FL - February 9, 2004 - While topnotch equestrian competition is the centerpiece of the 32nd Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, there's also another draw that many shopping aficionados have discovered - the tents, trailers, vans and RVs located throughout the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club show grounds, colorfully decorated and filled to the brim with gifts, apparel, tack, jewelry, and art. There is also a wealth of professionals open for business, making it easy to shop for services ranging from flowers to photography to physical therapy. And several food courts provide shady table seating for the variety of eateries. There are 78 vendors open for business at the horse show, making a Winter Equestrian Festival shopping spree an opportunity not to be missed. Here's a sampling of some of the unique shopping experiences awaiting spectators:

Hermes … There's no need to hop a plane for Paris or Manhattan, the Hermes 'boutique' not only has the merchandise, but it's all displayed in a beautiful setting, complete with a gorgeous wire-form horse sculpture from the Madison Avenue shop.
Saddles are the main focus. The 'Corlandus' dressage saddle is one of the most popular items, retailing at $4,100. For the hunter/jumpers, there's the 'Selle Essentielle' at $3,950.

• For Fido, you can pick up 'The Kelly' in the Hermes dog collars line, which is based on the famous Hermes Kelly bag, complete with a little non-functional lock for detail, selling at $480 in green, red, or orange.
• Designed as a jumping or dressage coat, the Grand Prix riding jackets for men and women are available in blue, black and sometimes gray bearing price tags from $980 to $1200.
• Of course you'll find the famous Hermes silk scarves in an assortment of equestrian patterns. And check out the new 'Hermes Twillie' - you can tie it around your neck or your wrist and it comes in a number of different patterns - 'Bubbles' on an orange background is an exclusive for the Madison Avenue and Paris shops, but it's also available here for $110
• A good collection of equestrian print Hermes ties for men is on display - they're $130.
  Your horse couldn't be dressed any more elegantly than in one of the Hermes 'Moorbrook Dress Sheets'. They are available in navy, ardoise (slate), orange, and rouge with gold trim, retailing at $600 or $660 for the fitted. A unique blanket is the 'Tyrol', which comes in a distinct violet color and sells for $600.
• Two unisex fragrances make perfect gifts - Eau d'Orange Verte eau de cologne, is a sport fragrance for $75 and the stronger Un Jardin en Mediterrane eau de toilette spray sells for $120.
• To take care of your new leather items, there's the Hermes Saddle Soap, Hermes Saddle Oil, Hermes Balm, and Hermes Lait Nettoya - prices range from $15 to $30.
  And everyone always appreciates the magnificent orange Hermes boxes, which are available for almost everything in the shop but the saddles.

"We're here for the whole season," said William Whitehead, Equestrian Sales Marketing Manager for Hermes. "We come here because it's such a great congregation of riders from all over the country and also the world. It's a great way to present Hermes and the equestrian line that Hermes makes for riders to a very broad swathe of today's riders."

Unusual Silver … Lior Barzilay's silver 'shop' aptly called 'Unusual Silver' has been located at the same spot overlooking the Internationale Arena for nine consecutive years. Buying a piece of sterling silver from Lior has become something of an annual tradition. Originally from Israel, Lior represents silver designers from across the country and around the world.

• On display are rows and rows of bracelets, rings, and earrings - almost any mode of jewelry you can imagine, and many with a horsy theme, with prices ranging from $25 to $150.
• According to Lior, his most popular items are his silver serving pieces. "That's my trademark, everybody knows me for those," he says. "Almost all have horses on them." You'll find serving pieces for bread, cake, punch, spaghetti, gravy, ice cream, and cheese, as well as large spoons and forks.
• On display is also a fun collection of silver statues including the three monkeys in their 'Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil, See No Evil' trilogy, sporty golfers in full swing, magnificently posed stallions, and even turtles - which have proven to be a hot item! One-of-a kind statues include a copper stallion for $570 and a bronze estate piece stallion for $590.
• Functional horsy-themed items include bronze horse-head coat hooks. And one of the cutest lines is the collection of small pillboxes made of hand-painted porcelain in a hunting theme. They are available at $75 each.

"Everyone loves things with animals on them," says Lior.

All Things Art … Three Wellington artists joined up for their own 'show' - Susan Saladino, Carol Brody, and Norman Gitzen. You can't miss their display as you walk from the spectators' entrance to the rings - languishing about the flowerbeds are human forms in poses that Saladino refers to as "sensual rather than sexy." They are made of chickenwire! Saladino created a series of 12 of these uniquely hand-built garden sculptures and has four remaining on display. The single figures sell for $3,500 and the double for $7,000.

• Also on display is Saladino's Madonna series of paintings about being kind and loving to animals. "I see the Madonna figure as more spiritual than religious in this context. She's the epitome of maternal bonding," explained Saradino. A painting of a carousel horse is on display, which is the start of her next series entitled 'Freedom'.
• A huge mantel made of pine wood, marble and cast stone horse figures is in the back of the boutique and is truly a functional piece of art. Created by Norman Gitzen, who specializes in architectural sculptures and fine woodworking, the piece was taken directly from Gitzen's home for the show - a photo album of the artist's abode reveals a castle-like structure that is his 'work in progress' and features unique displays of additional artwork from door knockers to corbels.
• You'll be sure to find an appropriate gift from Carol Brody's collection of hand-carved alabaster items, made with a unique sense of humor. Her 'Cheeky Cheeks' collection contains sensuous human derrieres ranging in price from $100 to $300.
• Her beautiful 'Pocket Hearts' are hand-carved in alabaster, slipped into a silk mesh purse with silk tie, ranging from $25 to $50.
• And specifically created for the horse show, Brody hand-carved a series of alabaster 'Horses Asses' - yes, the rear end with a tail, price tags range from $75 to $250. There's also a 'Horse's Ass' T-shirt for $20.
• Brody also creates bronze sculptures and has a Tina Turner in bronze on display at $6,000.

There's a lot more to shop for at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Here's a list and location of all 78 vendors:

2004 WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL TICKET INFORMATION
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.