Wellington, FL – January 15, 2015 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), management company of the world renowned Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, FL, is excited to announce a brand new eventing showcase that will take place at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on January 30-31, 2015. The $50,000 Wellington Eventing Showcase, presented by Asheville Regional Airport, will feature some of eventing’s top horses and riders competing for phenomenal prize money in the winter equestrian capital of the world.
“In the same way that we met up with Allyn Mann of Adequan® and talked about taking dressage to the next level four years ago, we think there is a great opportunity to bring the sport of eventing to new heights in Wellington,” stated Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo. “We are excited to have a third Olympic discipline at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center during the winter, and we look forward to welcoming eventing riders and fans.”
Bellissimo added, “We are very excited that Asheville Regional Airport has stepped up to sponsor this inaugural event. On a segment on Good Morning America, Frommer Travel Guide just announced Asheville as the No. 1 destination in the country to visit in 2015, and it is conveniently located just 30 minutes from the new Tryon International Equestrian Center.”
“The Asheville Regional Airport is very pleased to be the title sponsor of the inaugural Wellington Eventing Showcase. Our airport is the destination of choice when flying to attend events at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. We look forward to welcoming you to the Asheville area for more exciting equestrian competition,” stated Lew Bleiweis, Executive Director of Asheville Regional Airport.
The Wellington Eventing Showcase will be a special invitational for top U.S. and Canadian High Performance Riders. The competition is presented by Asheville Regional Airport with additional sponsors Rolex, Land Rover and Adequan®.
U.S. Olympic and World Equestrian Games Eventer Boyd Martin will compete in the Wellington Eventing Showcase. “I’m excited to have eventing included as part of Winter Equestrian Festival schedule at PBIEC, and I look forward to competing in this event to showcase our sport in front of a new audience,” Martin said.
The competition begins with dressage on Friday, January 30, in the International Ring of the The Stadium at PBIEC. Competitors will be riding USEF/USEA Advanced Test ‘B’ in morning and afternoon sessions. There will be a test ride at 9:00 a.m. and the first horse at 9:30 a.m. The last ride will take place at approximately 3:15 PM.
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Show Jumping will take place on Saturday morning, January 31, also held in the International Ring at The Stadium at PBIEC. The course, designed by Richard Jeffrey of Great Britain, will be open for walking at 9:30 a.m. and jumping starts at 10:30 a.m.
Cross-Country will take place Saturday afternoon, January 31, with a 2,000-meter advanced level course spanning the grass derby field at The Stadium at PBIEC and adjacent polo field. This course will consist of 16 obstacles containing 20 jumping efforts. Cross-Country will begin at 1:30 p.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. The Cross-Country phase will run in reverse order of standings following the Dressage and Show Jumping portion of the competition.
ESP is excited to welcome Capt. Mark Phillips as the course designer for this first-ever cross country event at PBIEC with jumps built by Eric Bull. Jumps will be built as per USEF Eventing Rules for Advanced Horse Trials. Video and live scoring will also be available.
Spectators have different hospitality options available for their viewing of the event. The Global Pavillion at The Stadium offers VIP seating with tables of six for $1,500. Buffet lunch and full bar is included with outstanding views of the dressage on Friday and the show jumping and cross-country on Saturday. VIP Parking is also included. For bookings, please email Kathleen Lamour at kathleen@equestriansport.com or call 561-784-1106.
There will be a wine and cheese reception in the VIP Club following the Rider Briefing at 4:00 p.m. on January 29, 2015. There will also be a reception following the awards ceremony at the conclusion of the competition on January 31. All VIP Club table holders, owners and grooms are invited to these functions.
Equestrian Sport Productions looks forward to welcoming all of the riders and fans from the sport of Eventing for a unique and exciting new competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. For more information, please visit www.PBIEC.com.
