|
Articles: Press Release
The 119th National Horse Show
Contact:
Mason Phelps, Jr., Barbara Lundy or Beverly Lake Wilkes
(561) 753-3389
NHSPressOffice@aol.com
Wellington, Florida---November 4, 2002---The 119th National Horse Show will
take place at The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida
from November 26, 2002 through December 1, 2002. Considered the most
prestigious horse show in the U. S., this is the first time in its
century-old history that it will be held outside of the New York
metropolitan area and, more importantly, in an “outdoor” venue.
The National was founded in 1883 by an august group of East Coast
businessmen and sportsmen with names such as Vanderbilt and Morgan. Its
directors and members formed the basis for Louis Keller’s first Social
Register of 1887, and the competition became the unofficial opening of the
New York social season.
>From 1883 through 2001, The National was held at Madison Square Garden in
New York City, with the exception of the years 1989 through 1995 when it
went to The Meadowlands in New Jersey. Thus, The National has always been
considered the first and finest “indoor” horse show in the U. S., given the
indoor arenas at those locations. Due to the inability to secure a
long-term contract with the Garden this year, The National’s Board decided
to break with tradition by moving the 2002 show to Wellington and its
“outdoor” rings.
The competition at The National will include over 400 of the
best horses and riders in the U. S., showing in hunter, jumper, equitation,
dressage and ladies’ side-saddle classes. These talented horses and riders
rank among the top 25 in the country in their respective divisions and have
qualified to enter The National through a year-long competition process.
In keeping with The National’s traditional social protocol,
members of The Diamond Horse Shoe Club, the Ladies’ Committee and the
Gentlemen’s Committee will be required to wear proper attire when in
attendance. And has been the case for over a century, a black-tie gala will
be held.
On Friday evening during the gala, one of the week’s most
exciting competitions --The High Jump Class -- will award a $250,000 purse
to the horse and rider that can jump a single fence higher than the current
“outdoor” record of 8’1-1/4”.
For more information on The 119th National Horse Show, please
contact Mason Phelps, Jr., Barbara Lundy or Beverly Lake Wilkes at (561)
753-3389.
|
