WELLINGTON, Fla., Oct. 23--The
Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping
Championship presented by Equine
Motorcoach will be the featured
event of the Holiday & Horses show
at the Palm Beach International
Equestrian Center Dec. 3-7.
With $125,000 in total prize money,
the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping
Championship is returning to
Wellington for the third year in a
row.
A complete schedule of hunter and
jumper classes is also offered. The
overall winner of the Medal, Maclay,
USET and WIHS competitions will be
eligible for the George H. Morris
Excellence In Equitation during the
Winter Equestrian Festival.
A CDI 3* international dressage
competition highlighted by Saturday
night musical freestyles under
lights in the International Arena is
being combined with the jumping and
hunter competition.
A tree lighting and musical
performances by children from
schools in the Wellington area is
planned for Saturday night.
A Business Expo arranged by the
Wellington Chamber of Commerce is
also being held during the day on
Saturday in the Special Events tent
overlooking the International Arena
that will evolve into a holiday
celebration embracing the tree
lighting and the dressage musical
freestyles.
As one of the most exciting events
on the show jumping calendar, the
Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping
Championship consists of two phases.
A Friday night $40,000 speed class
will be the first phase, followed by
a Sunday afternoon $60,000 Grand
Prix that is also a qualifying
competition for the FEI World Cup to
be held in Las Vegas next April.
Both phases will be held in the
International Arena with its Olympic
quality footing and a multimillion
dollar upgrade to improve spectator
experience. Among the upgrades are
completely rebuilt VIP International
Club, private boxes, general
admission seating and riders'
lounge.
Points earned in Friday night's
speed class carry through to
Sunday's Grand Prix. The overall
champion will receive a bonus of
$15,000 and a Rolex watch, and the
reserve champion $10,000.
Kent Farrington of Wellington, Fla.
who won the 2007 championship aboard
Up Chiqui said he plans to defend
his title. Among those who may seek
to add the championship to their
laurels is 2008 Olympic team gold
medalist Laura Kraut, also of
Wellington.
"The Rolex/USEF National
Championship is a great way for our
show jumpers to end their season,"
said USEF CEO John Long. "It is the
culmination of months of hard work
and dedication and we are grateful
for the support of our sponsors,
Rolex and Equine Motorcoach, to help
us celebrate our country's best show
jumpers."
"Our American debut was at this
horse show last year," said Julie
Calzone, one of the principals of
Equine Motorcoach. "It was an
incredibly successful launch for us
and we are honored to be invited to
return to this prestigious event as
a presenting sponsor.
"In addition to bringing the Equine
Motorcoach, we are having a reunion
with all of the principals and our
manufacturer, Lehel, at the show
this year. We are looking forward to
reconnecting with our equestrian
friends in Wellington and
celebrating this championship with
USEF and Rolex."
Mark Bellissimo, Chief Executive of
Equestrian Sport Productions that
manages the PBIEC shows, said: "We
are honored to host the Rolex/USEF
National Show Jumping Championship
presented by Equine Motorcoach. We
are preparing to make this event the
success it deserves in a venue that
is in keeping with the prestige of
the sponsors. We look forward to
hosting what we're sure will be
thrilling competition."
The Holiday Series includes:
* Dec. 3-7 Holiday & Horses Comp.
269388
"AA" Hunters & 5* Jumper Featuring
2008 Rolex/USEF National Show
Jumping Championships Presented by
Equine Motorcoach - $40,000 Table C
and $60,000 CSI 3* W
* Dec. 12-14 Christmas Festival
Comp. 6880
"A" Hunters & 3* Jumpers
* Dec. 19-21 Equestrian Sport
Productions Christmas "A" Comp.
316542
"A" Hunters & 2* Jumpers
*Dec. 22 Christmas II Comp. 322723
"B" Hunters & 1* Jumpers (does not
count for Holiday Series awards)
* Dec. 27-29 Equestrian Sport
Productions New Year's Show Comp.
5600
"A" Hunters & 2* Jumpers
* Dec. 31 - Jan. 4 Equestrian Sport
Productions A-T Children's Benefit
Comp. 233832
"AA" Hunters & 3* Jumpers
The prize list and other details
will be posted on
www.equestriansport.com.
Photos:
Kent Farrington riding Up Chiqui to
the 2007 Rolex/USEF National Show
Jumping Championship.
2008 Olympic team gold medalist
Laura Kraut on Cedric.
Photos: Ken Braddick-HorseSport USA |
