WELLINGTON, Fla., Dec. 2--The
finishing touches to a multimillion
dollar makeover of the Palm Beach
International Equestrian Center were
being applied Tuesday night in
readiness for the opening of the
Holiday & Horses CSI-W/CDI 3*.
Heavy construction equipment that
had been used to recreate spectator
areas around the centerpiece
International Arena, provide
improved footing in competition
rings and drainage throughout the
facility was moved off the show
grounds several hours before the 8
a.m. Wednesday start of the first
class.
Hundreds of chairs were placed in
new VIP boxes, new general admission
seating was dusted off and the last
of the trucks carrying the Olympic
quality footing created by Bart
Poels of Belgium completed their
trips to the Mogavero Arena. Fork
lifts of sod were being placed
around the show grounds as part of
the beautification of PBIEC.
The Mogavero joins the International
and DeNemethy Arenas in providing
footing identical to that used in
this year's Olympic equestrian
events in Hong Kong. Other
competition arenas that were also
reconstructed.
About $5 million was spent prior to
the 2008 Winter Equestrian Festival
by Equestrian Sport Productions, the
management company of the Wellington
shows. ESP is owned by Wellington
Equestrian Partners.
Another $5 million has been invested
in recent months to complete
renovations and improvements.
Holiday & Horses highlights, all in
the International Arena, are:
-7 PM Friday - Rolex/USEF National
Show Jumping Championship presented
by Equine Motorcoach - Speed Class
-7 PM Saturday - CDI 3* Dressage
Musical Freestyle
-2 PM Sunday - Rolex/USEF National
Show Jumping Championship presented
by Equine Motorcoach - Grand Prix
and FEI World Cup Qualifier.
Prize money for the Rolex/USEF
National Show Jumping Championship
presented by Equine Motorcoach is
$40,000 for the Speed Class, $60,000
for the Grand Prix and $25,000 for
the top finishing U.S. rider.
In addition to the competition,
there will be a children's fair,
pony rides, Santa Claus and a tree
lighting ceremony.
Hunter and jumper competition kicks
off Wednesday while horses entered
in the CDI 3* dressage will perform
a veterinary jog.
Photo: Crews laying sod and
installing a sound system in front
of the International Club beside the
International Arena at the Palm
Beach International Equestrian
Center Tuesday night. PBIEC will
host Holiday & Horses CSI-W/CDI 3*
Wednesday through Sunday, including
the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping
Championship presented vy Equine
Motorcoach. Photo: Ken
Braddick-HorseSport USA
---
PBIEC INFORMATION
& TICKETS: www.equestriansport.com
561/793-5867 or
www.equestriansport.com
THE
FACILITY: The Palm Beach
International Equestrian Center is
home to the Winter Equestrian
Festival and the site of the first
outdoor Nations Cup held in the
United States. The competition areas
include the 360' x 280' all-weather
International Arena, the Bertalan
DeNemethy Arena, Mogavero Ring and
Grand Hunter Field in addition to
several other competition rings. The
competition and warm up rings have
all-weather footing. Amenities
include the International Club,
refreshment and shopping areas.
DIRECTIONS: From the Florida
Turnpike south, take Exit #93, Lake
Worth Blvd., and travel west,
crossing over US 441. Travel five
miles to South Shore Blvd., turn
right on South Shore and proceed one
mile to Pierson Road, then turn left
at the light. Spectator Entrance is
first left, Equestrian Club Road.
From Interstate I-95, take Exit #49.
Travel west on Forest Hills Blvd. 11
miles to South Shore Blvd. Turn left
on South Shore and follow to Pierson
Road. Turn right at the light on
Pierson. Spectator Entrance is first
left, Equestrian Club Road.
FOOD: A diverse menu of food
and beverages is available at the
vendor courtyard and at vendor areas
around the International Arena, and
are open during show hours.
SHOPPING: The vendor
courtyard and individual booths
around the International Arena offer
equestrian equipment, apparel,
jewelry, home furnishings and more.
CAR
RENTAL: Enterprise Rent-a-Car
for your car rental needs. Call
1-800-593-0505 or go online to
enterprise.com and use the WEF
reference number 41W0087 and the
PIN; win for a discount.
HOTELS: Hampton Inn and
Suites Wellington
2155 Wellington Green Drive,
Wellington, FL 561-472-9696
(Closest hotel, just two miles from
show grounds)
Hampton Inn Lake Worth Road
8205 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, FL
561-472-5980
(New location just five miles from
Wellington)
Hampton Inn West Palm Beach
Okeechobee Blvd. at Jog Rd.
2025
Vista Parkway, West Palm Beach, FL
561-682-9990
(Just 12 miles away at Emerald
Dunes)
GOLF CARS:
Dever, Inc., the Official &
Exclusive Supplier of Golf Cars.
Orders and information at
www.deverinc.com or telephone Dever
Inc.'s PBIEC office at 859-509-7265
or the home office at 800-714-2201. |
