Wellington, FL - January 25, 2006 - The 2006 Winter Equestrian Festival, the thirty fourth edition of the nation's largest and longest running equestrian series, opened under partly cloudy skies and mild temperatures on Wednesday at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida.

The Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic, CSI 2* runs now through Sunday, January 30th and is the first of seven weeks of exciting horse show action. This year's festival promises to be the biggest and most competitive in history. Canada's Michel Vaillancourt is the opening week Course Designer at the Internationale Arena.

There were thirty five starters for the opening competition, the $8000 1.45m Open Jumpers, scored under USEF Table II, Sec. 2b, Time First Jump-off. Of the thirty-five that went to the post, thirteen produced first round clears, while eleven others had one knockdown in the initial round.

Ian Millar, a nine time Olympian from Canada, took the early lead riding out of the fourth spot in the order. Aboard Redefin, owned by Susan Grange, Millar toured the course without penalty and crossed the finish line in a handy time of 36.932 seconds.

Millar was overtaken three horses later when last year's winner, Molly Ashe, joined the fray with Vicomte D, the newest entry from Jane Clark. Ashe lopped 1.64 seconds off of Millar's time, tripping the timers in 36.768 seconds.

2004 Athens Olympic Team Gold Medalist McLain Ward and Double H Farm's Goldika 559, winners of the Chesapeake Speed Classic at the National Horse Show here in November, put the class out of reach just a few minutes after Ashe left the ring. Riding out of the eleventh spot in order, Ward put the pedal to the metal and raced across the finish line a full 5.16 seconds faster than Ashe, posting an incredible time of 31.600 seconds for the victory.

"When you've got to pay the bills, show Goldika," laughed Ward following his win. "It was nice. I was getting Sapphire ready for the grand prix, not being competitive really. So it's nice to have a horse like Goldika that I can win with."

Ward commented on the beautiful condition of the grass at the Internationale Arena. "The footing feels phenomenal; they've also got great new footing in the Internationale Arena warm up area and you can see that Stadium Jumping is really making an effort, which is appreciated."

Ward talked about a busy WEF schedule this year and his plans. "The first two weeks I'll go with Sapphire and then following that Oasis will start," he noted. "And Goldika will be my horse for the WEF Challenge classes. Looking ahead, Goldika will go to the World Cup Finals and with Sapphire, every class I enter is with the World Championships in mind," he said. "Every step is planned."

Asked about competing against the likes of Olympic Gold Medalist Rodrigo Pessoa and all of the other international stars calling Wellington home this winter, Ward said with confidence and a smile, "Winning will be just that much more enjoyable."

Ward will have a chance to extend his remarkable opening Thursday winning streak to three years in a row if he and Goldika can emerge victorious again in Round One of the $25,000 WEF Challenge Series, scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 1pm in the Internationale Arena.

The nine week long series of Thursday grand prix events are major money qualifiers for the WEF finale, the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

An exciting new addition at this year's WEF is the $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge, a rider bonus pool of $200,000. Riders will accumulate points from their performances in the Thursday and Sunday Grand Prix events. The rider with the most points on March 12 will be awarded $100,000. Second place will be given $50,000, third place will receive $30,000, and $20,000 will be given to fourth place. FTI Consulting of Annapolis, MD, is sponsoring the $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge.

Results of Class 1002 1.45m II 2 - Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic

1 1270 MCLAIN WARD -GOLDIKA 559 -0-0/31.600 DOUBLE H FARM 2 957 MOLLY ASHE -VICOMTE D -0-0/36.768 JANE F. CLARK

3 2018 IAN MILLAR -REDEFIN -0-0/36.932 SUSAN GRANGE

4 1187 CAYCE HARRISON -COEUR -0-0/37.543 DOUBLE H FARM

5 1693 LAUREN HOUGH -CLASIKO -0-0/41.346 CLASIKO GROUP

6 90 CHRIS KAPPLER -VDL ORANTA -0-4/36.342 M&K ORANTALLC

7 1195 ERIC FLAMENG -ROXANNE -0-4/ 37.149 FLORIAC LLC

8 482 CHRISTINE MCCREA-LADDIDOR -0-4/ 38.167 CANDY TRIBBLE

9 1827 AERE YANN CANDELE- MILLCREEK'S MARCO T -0-4/39.144 MILLCREEK STABLES

10 529 MEGAN LAMAZE -OLLANDAISE 0- 8/36.317 STONEY HILL

T11 1184 JUDY GAROFALO TORRES -OLIVER III -0- ret. HIGHER GROUND FARM

T11 2263 ALISON FIRESTONE -INTREPIDE DU VALON -0- ret. BERTRAM R. FIRESTONE

T11 2631 RODRIGO PESSOA -SI GANE VAN DE GRUN -0- ret. M SUNDBERG

2006 Winter Equestrian Festival Fast Facts

EVENT: Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida

WHAT: Seven-week hunter/jumper and 3-week dressage horse show circuit produced by Stadium Jumping, Inc.

WHERE: Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, 14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, Florida 33414

WHEN: Wednesday through Sunday 2006 Show Dates:

Jan 25-29: Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic, CSI 2*

Feb 1-5: Gold Coast Jumper Classic presented by Carlisle, CSI 3*

Feb 2-5: Wellington Dressage

Feb 8-12: Kilkenny/ICH Internationale, CSI 3*, 'AA'

Feb 15-19: Bainbridge Florida Classic & WCHR Hunter Spectacular, presented by the Palm Beach Post, CSI-W CSIY CSI-CH

Feb 16-19: Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic

Feb 22-26: Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters, CSI 3*

March 1-5: Wellington Open presented by Cosequin, CSI-W

March 8-12: CN Wellington Finale, CSIO 5*-US

March 16-19: Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic, CDI 3* CDIY

HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m.

ADMISSION: General Admission Tickets are available at the gate.

Wednesday: Admission is free. *Children 12 & Under Free Everyday

Thursday and Friday: Adults- $5.00, Seniors (65)/Children 13 & Over- $5.00

Saturday: Adults- $10.00, Seniors (65)/Children 13 & Over- $5.00

Sunday: Adults- $15.00, Seniors (65)/Children 13 & Over- $5.00

Weekly General Admission Pass- $30.00

Seasonal General Admission Pass- $125.00

VIP SEATING:

Box Seating: Box seats tickets may be purchased at the gate. (Limited availability)

Location: Internationale Arena

Thursday and Friday: $15.00

Saturday: $20.00

Sunday: $30.00

Seasonal Reserved Box Seats- $350.00 per seat

The Jockey Club: VIP Tables in The Jockey Club (located at the International Arena) seat six people and include food and beverage service daily. Front Row tables are $25,000 for the season. Second Row tables are $20,000, and Third Row tables are $15,000. VIP tables are available for purchase through Phelps Media Group, Inc. International. Please call 561-753-3389.

PARKING: Parking is free Wednesday through Sunday

DIRECTIONS: Approaching the show grounds from the Florida Turnpike, take Exit #93, Lake Worth Blvd., and travel west, crossing over 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, on Equestrian Road. Approaching the show grounds from Interstate I-95, take Exit 49. Travel west on Forest Hill 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 Road.

THE FACILITY: The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club is the home of the Winter Equestrian Festival and the site of the first outdoor Nations Cup held in the United States. The competition areas include the 400' x 400' grass Internationale Arena, which is surrounded by bermed seating, chalets, and VIP areas; plus the Bertalan DeNemethy Arena and Grand Hunter Field, both with all weather footing. Amenities include The Jockey Club VIP area.

PRIZE MONEY: Over $3 Million in total prize money, including:

* $1.1 Million Grand Prix Series

* $450,000 1.50 M-1.30M Jumper Series

* $300,000 Amateur-Owner Jumper Series

* $100,000 Senior Jumper Series

* $395,000 USEF 'AA' Hunter Section Series

* $200,000 Junior Jumper Series

* $168,000 Adult Amateur Jumper Series

* $32,000 Children's Jumper Series

* $9,500 Pony Jumper Series

$200,000 FTI RIDER CHALLENGE: FTI Consulting of Annapolis, MD, is sponsoring the $200,000 FTI Rider Challenge. The FTI Rider Challenge will be held during the 2006 WEF, from January 25 to March 12 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL. The FTI Rider Challenge will be a rider bonus pool for $200,000. Riders will accumulate points from their performances in the Thursday and Sunday Grand Prix events. The rider with the most points on March 12 will be awarded $100,000. Second place will be given $50,000, third place will receive $30,000, and $20,000 will be given to fourth place.

HIGHLIGHTS:

* Sunday, Jan 29, 2:00 p.m.: $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach, presented by Western Hay, CSI 2*

* Saturday, Feb 4, 3:00 p.m.: $25,000 Windsome Dressage/Show Jumping Spectacular

* Sunday, Feb 5, 2:00 p.m.: $60,000 Wellington Cup presented by Carlisle CSI 3*

* Sunday, Feb 12, 2:00 p.m.: $60,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup, CSI 3*

* Saturday, Feb 18, 7:00 p.m.: AHJF Hunter Spectacular of Palm Beach

* Sunday, Feb 19, 9:00 a.m.: $10,000 WEF Individual Young Rider Team and Individual Competition, CSIY Final

* Sunday, Feb 19, 2:00 p.m.: $60,000 Bainbridge Idle Dice Classic, presented by Palm Beach Post, CSI-W

* Friday, Feb 24, 7:00 p.m.: $15,000 Solaray Junior Jumper Gambler's Choice

* Sunday, Feb 26, 2:00 p.m.: $100,000 Zada Enterprises, LLC Masters Cup, CSI 3*

* Friday, March 3, 7:00 p.m.: $15,000 Solaray Amateur-Owner Jumper Gambler's Choice

* Sunday, March 5, 2:00 p.m.: $100,000 Florida Open, presented by Cosequin, CSI-W

* Friday, March 10, 7:00 p.m.: $75,000 Nations Cup CSIO 5* presented by CN

* Sunday, March 12, 2:00 p.m.: $150,000 US Open Jumper Championship CSIO, presented by CN

FOOD: A diverse menu of food and beverages is available at the vendor courtyard and at vendors around the Internationale Arena, and are open during show hours.

SHOPPING: The vendor courtyard and individual booths around the Internationale Arena both offer equestrian equipment, apparel, jewelry, and home furnishings.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: The Winter Equestrian Festival, produced by Eugene R. Mische and Stadium Jumping, Inc., is the largest and longest consecutively running sporting event in the world. It is also the largest equestrian event and major contributor to Palm Beach County's $553+ million equestrian industry. (Courtesy of Palm Beach County Equestrian Commission, Inc.)

PALM BEACH POLO EQUESTRIAN CLUB: 14440 Pierson Rd., Wellington, FL, 33414; Tel: 561-793-JUMP; Fax: 561-753-7727; Website: www.stadiumjumping.com

STADIUM JUMPING, INC.: Corporate Office- 1301 Sixth Ave West, Suite 406, Bradenton, FL, 34205; Tel: 941-744-5465; Fax: 941-744-0874; Website: www.stadiumjumping.com