December 1, 2006

Exhibitors Party Hosted by Richard Schechter and Bainbridge Farms for 123rd National Horse Show & Family Festival Features Florida Style

Wellington, FL – Exhibitors at the 123rd National Horse Show and Family Festival were treated to an elegant cocktail party in the lovely new home of Richard Schechter at his Bainbridge Farms in Wellington, Florida, last night, November 30, following the second day of competition at the historic show, which runs through Sunday, December 3 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. The gracious host and hostess Jennifer Reid provided a topnotch uniformed valet service, extraordinary hors d’oeuvres by Ken Rose Catering, and a setting that magnified Florida style living with an equestrian flair at its best.

More than 200 of the equestrian world’s “Who’s Who” attended the affair and were greeted at the stunning entrance by Mr. Schechter and Ms. Reid along with members of the National’s Ladies and Gentlemen’s Committee Kathy Moore and Ed Buckley. Guests were invited to tour the luxurious home at will. The Schechter home was recently decorated by Ms. Reid, an amateur who is riding several Bainbridge Farms-owned horses at the National, and was filled with wonderful equestrian paintings, beautifully coordinated furnishings, and must-have Florida amenities such as the screened patio off the master spa bath that included a waterfall in the tropical foliage, an outdoor shower, and a private entrance to the gorgeous swimming pool; and a professional chef quality kitchen and adjoining media room with a fabulous fireplace.

The candlelit pool/patio was the prime gathering area for the party and featured tablecloth-covered highboys with centerpieces of fresh flowers, an open bar, a beautifully back-lit ice sculpture of the National Horse Show Association’s logo horse head, all back-dropped by lush landscaping. While chatting and strolling about the home and patio, guests enjoyed the uniformed wait-staff’s prompt, non-stop service of champagne and haute cuisine hors d’oeuvres ranging from sliced primed rib to brie in a pastry shell with walnuts and apricot. Cocktail attire was the mode of the evening, and the elegantly clad horse folks enjoyed the fine atmosphere, which was elegant and comfortable, making everyone feel quite at home in the posh mansion.

Upon leaving the Exhibitors Party at evening’s end, guests were treated to a carefully created gift bag – the white shopping bag stuffed with orange tissue paper was emblazoned with the National Horse Show Association of America logo, and filled with items bearing the show’s traditional colors of orange and black and the logo – a champagne glass with “National Horse Show 2006” inscribed and a small gold Godiva box of four exquisite chocolates tied up with a black ribbon and decorated with the National’s logo sticker.

Guests included Betty Jane Henry, Honorary Chairman of Jumping Under the Stars; Gene Mische, National Horse Show President; Mason Phelps, National Horse Show Chairman; Maureen Hamill, Ralph and Holly Caristo, Margie and Steve Engle, Jill and Alan Shore, Sally Ike, Karin Reid Offield, Charlotte Bredahl Baker and Joel Baker, Ted and Sharon Weise, Mayor Tom Wenham and wife Regis, Lynn Coakley, Susie Schoelkopf, Jerry Jacobs, Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Eric and Florence Flameng, Neil Hirsch, Tori Watters, Paula Watters, and Nona Garson. All of the National’s stellar roster of judges also attended: Sue Ashe, Julie Winkle, Scott Williamson, Ronnie Beard, Scott Hofstetter, Chrystine Tauber, David Distler, Paul Pereech, Ralph Alfano, and Steve Sarafin.

PHOTO CAPTION: Jennifer Reid and Richard Schechter hosted the National Horse Show & Family Festival’s Exhibitors Party. PHOTO CREDIT: Alex Thomas