Wellington, Florida – February 11, 2003 – Dermott Lennon, the handsome, 33-year-old Irishman, who is the reigning Jumper Champion of the World, has just arrived in Wellington to begin competing at The 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival. His World Champion mare, “Liscalgot”, a 12-year-old Irish-bred, will arrive later this month.

Dermott and “Liscalgot” won the World Champion title this past September in Jerez, Spain at The World Games. They will hold this prestigious moniker until the next World Games in 2006.

Dermott’s exceptional ascent to fame in the equestrian world began at the family farm in the quiet town of Banbridge in tumultuous Northern Ireland. There, Dermott and his brother, John, began riding in local hunts and steeplechases while finishing their schooling. In 1989 at the age of 19, Dermott began riding for a local breeder, breaking and schooling the very young horses. By 1999, Dermott was showing grand prix jumpers in international competitions.

Dermott never had any formal equestrian training in the traditional sense. Dermott just displayed an innate talent with horses from an early age that only a lucky few are born with. He was literally self-taught, and he has never taken a riding lesson or worked with a trainer. Dermott is his own trainer, and, often, his own groom – a virtual one-man-band, so to speak. At Dermott’s level of achievement and competition, that is absolutely unheard of.

Ironically, in the winter of 1995, Dermott and a few of his Irish buddies decided to take a trip to the U. S. In classic Dermott style, Dermott paid his expenses for the trip by being part of the jump crew at The 1995 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington!

But once back in Ireland, owners of a then four-year-old “Liscalgot” recognized Dermott’s talent and asked if he would take over the training and riding of their mare. By 1999, the duo began winning in international jumper competitions and began competing on behalf of The Irish Equestrian Team. And while the Irish Team did not compete at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Dermott and his fellow team members are enthusiastically readying themselves for Athens 2004.

While waiting for “Liscalgot” to arrive and make her way through quarantine, Dermott will be busy competing on grand prix horses of well-known U.S. trainer Missy Clarke.

Dermott and “Liscalgot”, as well as other members of the Irish Team, will participate in The $50,000 Samsung Nations Cup competition, which will take place in Wellington on Friday, March 7, 2003. The Irish Team will be managed by prominent Irish trainer Jimmy Doyle, who otherwise trains Georgina Bloomberg.

For more information on this amazing rider, please call Dermott Lennon directly at (561) 632-7840.

Tickets to the Winter Equestrian Festival are available by phone at 793-JUMP or at the gate. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Children 12 & under are free all days. Senior admission is $5 every day. Adult admission is $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. Parking is free.

Winter Equestrian Festival Dates:

(Each week runs Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8:00 AM)

Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular – February 12 – 16
Florida Dressage Classic –February 13 - 16
Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters – February 19 – 23
Tommy Bahama Palm Beach Open – February 26 – March 2
Cosequin Wellington Finale – March 5 – 9
Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic – March 13 – 16