Highlights of Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival To Include High-Flying and Dancing Horses

Wellington, FL— (January 11, 2002) — Like the swallows returning to San
Capistrano, the top show jumping horses and riders in the country are
returning to Wellington, FL, for the 30th annual Cosquin Winter Equestrian
Festival. The annual migration is fueled by the promise of exciting
competition at the festival, which offers more than $3 million in prize
money.
The Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival (CWEF) is held from January 23
through March 19 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington. It
then travels to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center and Raymond James Stadium
in Tampa, FL, for competitions from March 13-31. It then returns to
Wellington for the American Grandprix Association (AGA) National
Championship, presented by Budweiser, April 3-7.
For the first time this year, the Festival was selected to host a premiere
international event, the United States’ first-ever outdoor Nations’ Cup, a
prestigious international team show jumping competition.
“Spectators will be treated to the very best in equestrian competition with
the addition of this event,” said Eugene R. Mische, president of Stadium
Jumping, Inc., which produces the Festival. “We expect to attract
international teams of riders from countries such as Canada, Germany,
Colombia, Brazil and others. And as usual, we will have a strong line-up of
weekly grand prix competitions leading up to the Cosequin Wellington
Finale.”
In the sport of show jumping, horses and riders compete over challenging
courses with large prizes, thus the name, “grand prix.” Eligible horses and
riders compete in various categories of show jumping according to their age
and experience. The Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival features show
jumping competition for virtually every level of horse and rider.
One of the interesting aspects of the sport is that no two courses are the
same. The goal is to produce a challenging course with a variety of jumps
that only a few horses can complete without penalties, which are called
faults. Horses are required to jump 15 to 20 obstacles ranging from
approximately 4'3" to 5'6" in height. The horse and rider must complete the
course within an allowed time.
Dressage competition begins with Wellington Dressage, January 31 - February
3, followed by the Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic on
February 14 – 17 and then finishes with the WEF Dressage Classic on March
14 - 17. The three dressage championships will be held at the Palm Beach
Polo Equestrian Club. The second two shows feature qualifiers for the World
Equestrian Games selection trials and USET Intermediaire I Championships
which will be held at the Bayer/USET Festival of Champions, June 19 – 23 in
Gladstone, NJ. In addition, they are also USDF Region 3 qualifying
competitions for the North American Young Riders’ Championships, August 6 –
11 in Wadsworth, IL.
“These three world-class dressage shows feature the brightest stars in North
America. Everyone looks forward to showing here!” exclaimed Robert Dover,
three-time USET Olympic team Bronze Medalist.
This year, the CWEF kicks off with the Nutrena Wellington Classic, January
23-27, at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. The Classic is part of the
Festival’s $1 million Grand Prix series, which will attract the top horses
and riders. Following is the 2002 Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival show
jumping and dressage schedule at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club:
* Nutrena Wellington Classic on January 23-27
* Bayer/USET Gold Coast Classic on January 30 – February 3
* Wellington Dressage on January 31-February 3
* Kilkenny Internationale on February 6 - 10
* Jaguar/Land Rover Florida Classic & WCHRA Spectacular on February 13 – 17
* Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic on February 14-17
* Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters on February 20 - 24
* Tommy Bahama Palm Beach Open on February 27 - March 3
* Cosequin Wellington Finale on March 6 – 10
* Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic on March 14-17
The Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters, Tommy Bahama Palm Beach Open
and the
Cosequin Wellington Finale also host events on the Show Jumping Hall of Fame
Jumper Classic Series.
Jumper riders at all levels will have ample opportunity to shine
in the:
* The $430,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Series
* Seniors Jumper Series
* The $175,000 BET On Jazz Junior Jumper Series
* The $105,000 Adult Jumper Series sponsored by RV Sales of Broward
* The $36,000 Children’s Jumper Series
* The $16,000 Pony Jumper Series
The Nations’ Cup will put a high-flying polish on the Cosequin Wellington
Finale, March 6 – 10, during the CWEF’s last week at the Palm Beach Polo
Equestrian Club. Wellington is only the fifth location in the United States
to be selected for a Nations’ Cup since the first Nations’ Cup was held in
London in 1909. In a Nations’ Cup competition, participants – usually of
Olympic caliber – are chosen to ride for their country’s team. The event is
expected to attract teams from the United States, Canada, Germany, Colombia,
Brazil, Holland and other nations.
In addition to the flashy jumper competitions, the CWEF will also offer
dozens of competitions for hunters, another category of competition in which
the horse’s style and way of going is judged. The highlight of this category
will be the $350,000 USA Equestrian “AA” Hunter Series.

For More Information

For more information on the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival and all the
exciting events and activities, please call Stadium Jumping, Inc. in
Wellington at (561) 793-JUMP or visit www.stadiumjumping.com