Public Invited To Watch Stellar Roster Of International Riders Compete

Wellington, FL – February 26, 2004 – The 2nd Annual Wellington Equus Medal will be held on Monday, March 8, 2004, under the lights in the Internationale Arena starting at 7 pm at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida. The general public is invited to attend at no charge, but for those who wish to contribute to the Wellington Equestrian Alliance, tables are available in The Jockey Club for the Equus Medal Dinner. The event was created by Mason Phelps, Jr. as a fundraiser for the Wellington Equestrian Alliance, an organization established by principals within the equestrian community to protect the equestrian preserve in Wellington. An effective lobbying group, the Wellington Equestrian Alliance tracks the political climate and decisions of town leaders as they relate to development.

For the inaugural event last year, $25,000 in prize money was offered through the generosity of Stadium Jumping, Inc., the producer of the Winter Equestrian Festival. The class was limited to U.S. riders who had represented their country in a Nations’ Cup. Twenty-eight riders competed in the first round and Andrew Dignelli emerged as the winner.

This year, the event will again offer $25,000, but the format has been expanded to include any rider from any country who has represented his or her country in a Nations’ Cup. With the $50,000 Samsung Nations Cup presented by CN, CSIO**** scheduled for March 12, many riders from Canada, South America, and Europe will be in Wellington to compete, and those that have been on previous teams are eligible to enter the Equus Medal.

“The Equus Medal format will be foreign to non-U.S. riders because it is judged under USA Equestrian Hunt Seat Medal Rules,” said Phelps. “That means they have to demonstrate their horsemanship and equitation, which are classes not done in Europe. This will be a new experience for these riders. They’re going to have to conform to our American system of going back to the basics and demonstrating their skills over a junior course, 3’6” in height – not big, not tricky, but perhaps a little technical.”

Norman Dello Joio, Ellen Lordi and Paul Valliere will officiate and also collectively design the course. “It will be judged on numbers – three judges, three locations,” explained Phelps. “Each judge awards a number for the first round, which will rank the riders from top to bottom, and then the judges will take their top four or six and test them just like the Medal Finals in Harrisburg or New York or Washington until they come up with a winner. It’s meant to be fun and for everybody to have a good time, but of course when you have $25,000 in prize money and it’s paid to eight places, the riders take it quite seriously.”

A stellar roster of international caliber Grand Prix riders will compete. Defending champion Andrew Dignelli is returning for a shot at a back-to-back victory. He’ll be up against the likes of Chris Kappler, Kate Levy, Lauren Hough, Jeffery Welles, Jimmy Torano, Hap Hansen, Kim Frey, Molly Ashe, Eric Lamaze, Laura Bowery, Anne Kursinski, Ian Millar, Leslie Howard, Laura Chapot, and McLain Ward to name a few of the entrants.

“The class is designed to generate funds for the Alliance,” said Phelps. “The public is admitted free, but the table sales pay for the class and generate funds to keep the Alliance operating.” Tables are available for the evening in the front row of the Jockey Club for $3,500 or in the second row for $2,500, which includes dinner and beverage service.

For table reservations and information, write to Press and Special Events Office, 13833 Wellington Trace, Unit E-4, #221, Wellington, FL 33414 or call 561-753-3389, or fax 561-753-3386.

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.