Wellington, Florida – October 20, 2003 – The National Horse Show, now in its 120th year, will return for the second year in a row to The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, Florida from Wednesday, November 26, through Sunday, November 30, 2003. Considered the most prestigious horse show in the United States, this is only the second time in its century-old history that The National 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. And, then, in an historic move last year, The 119th National Horse Show changed its venue to The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington. With more than 58,000 spectators jamming the stands and enjoying the competition during the six-day show, The 119th National was crowned an enormous success. And thus the return this year of The 120th National.

The competition at The 120th National will include over 400 of the best horses and riders in the United States, showing in the equestrian disciplines of hunter, jumper, equitation, dressage and ladies’ side-saddle. These talented horses and riders rank among the top 25 in the country in their respective divisions and have qualified for The National through a year-long competition process.

Highlights of the week will include a $100,000 grand prix on Friday evening, November 28th, during the black tie gala, “Jumping Under the Stars”. Sunday, November 30th, will conclude with the $100,000 American Grand Prix Association’s 2003 Championship.

In addition to the competitions, The 120th National will feature the popular Friesian dressage exhibition on Thursday, November 27th. On Saturday, November 29th, and on Sunday, November 30th, families can enjoy a Children’s Fair with clowns, rides and exhibits. There will be a “Taste of Palm Beach” on Saturday, November 29th, where one can sample specialties of some of the best restaurants in the area.

Children age 12 and under are always free. General admission seating for adults, Wednesday through Saturday (on Friday, there will be separate day and evening tickets), will be $10/each, with Sunday priced at $15/each; children over the age of 12 and seniors (65 and older) will be $7/each. Diamond Horse Shoe Club and box seating information and reservations can be obtained by calling (800) 237-8924 or the Special Events office at 561 753-3389.

The National Horse Show will once again be managed and produced by the team at Stadium Jumping, Inc., which also manages and produces The Winter Equestrian Festival.

For further information, contact Mason Phelps, Jr. or Beverly Lake Wilkes of Phelps Wilkes & Associates, Inc. at (561) 753-3389 or at info@phelpswilkes.com.

.