The Home Stretch: Wellington’s Final Week Hosting The 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival

Wellington, Florida – February 28, 2003 – The 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival will be in Wellington for just another week before moving on to Tampa. So, if you haven’t made it to The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club quite yet, there is still a week of exciting horseshowing left.

This Sunday, March 2, the top jumper horses and riders from around the world will be competing for World Cup points, as well as hefty prize money, in The $75,000 Tommy Bahama Florida Open Grand Prix. The World Cup Finals will take place in Las Vegas in April.

Next week, March 5-9, is The Cosequin Wellington Finale. On Friday, March 7, the featured competition will be The Samsung Nations Cup in which 4-member teams from the U. S., Canada and Ireland square of against one another. Competing for the U. S. will be Lauren Hough, Beezie Madden, McLain Ward and Margie Goldstein-Engle; Schuyler Riley is the team alternate.

The Festival’s final Wellington grand prix will take place on Sunday, March 9 with The $100,000 Cosequin U.S. Open Jumper Grand Prix.

And then the Festival goes on to Tampa and The Bob Thomas Equestrian Center for 3 weeks of showing from March 13-29. The events on Saturday evening, March 29 at The Raymond James Stadium will bring the Festival to an exciting conclusion with The Tournament of Champions, where presentations will be made to the Festival’s division champions, and with The 31st Annual $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational Grand Prix.

On April 2, the jumper horses and riders will return to Wellington and The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club for 5 days of competition sponsored by The American Grandprix Association.

Tickets to the Winter Equestrian Festival are available by phone at 793-JUMP or at the gate. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Children 12 & under are free all days. Senior admission is $5 every day. Adult admission is $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. Parking is free.

Winter Equestrian Festival Dates:
(Each week runs Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8:00 AM)

Tommy Bahama Palm Beach Open – February 26 – March 2
Cosequin Wellington Finale – March 5 – 9
Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic – March 13 – 16

After March 9, competitors move to Tampa to continue the Winter Equestrian Festival

Dates for Tampa Winter Equestrian Festival
(Each week of competition runs Wed - Sun beginning at 8:00 AM)

Suncoast Internationale March 13-16
Tampa Bay Classic March 19-23 CSI***/W
Tournament of Champions March 25-29 CSI**/W

Budweiser American Invitational March 29 in Raymond James Stadium

Tickets for Winter Equestrian Festival at Tampa Fairgrounds are Wednesday through Friday $5. Children under 12 years are free. Saturday and Sunday Adult tickets are $10. Seniors and Students are $5 all days. For schedule, directions and information visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Tickets for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium Jumping (877) 909-9436.