WELLINGTON, FLORIDA—March 6, 2003—Show jumping stars from Ireland, Canada and the United States will square off in the Samsung Nations Cup Presented by CN Friday at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.

The Nations Cup, a team competition sanctioned by the International Equestrian Federation, matches teams of four riders each. The United States was victorious in last year’s debut of the Nations Cup, the first ever held outdoors in U.S. history. Although the U.S. has a world-class team again this year, Friday’s competition is expected to be tougher than last year as both Ireland and Canada have brought stronger teams.

Ireland’s team, coached by Jimmy Doyle, includes Kevin Babington, John Brennan, Darragh Kearins, Cian O’Connor and Lt. David O’Brien. Canada’s team is coached by Danny Foster and is headed by seven-time Olympian Ian Millar. Millar, “Captain Canada”, is joined by Olympic veteran Mario Deslauriers, Karen Cudmore, Mark Samuel and Keean White.

The U.S. team is coached by Show Jumping Hall of Famer Frank Chapot and is headed by seven-time Rider of the Year Margie Goldstein Engle of Wellington and her 2000 Sydney Olympic teammate Lauren Hough. They are joined by McLain Ward, Beezie Madden and Schuyler Riley. While all five riders on each team are competing in various classes throughout the week, including Sunday’s $100,000 Cosequin U.S. Open Jumper Championship, only four will ride in Friday’s Nations Cup.

The Nations Cup, run under the same format as the team competition in the Olympic Games, is scheduled to start at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club on Pierson Road in Wellington. The second round of the two-round competition is scheduled to begin at 3:00. Tickets are available at the gate. Call 561-793-3389 for further information.

Winter Equestrian Festival Dates:

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

Cosequin Wellington Finale – March 5 – 9
Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic – March 13 – 16

After March 9, competitors move to Tampa to continue the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Dates for Tampa Winter Equestrian Festival

(Each week of competition runs Wed - Sun beginning at 8:00 AM)

Suncoast Internationale March 13-16
Tampa Bay Classic March 19-23 CSI***/W
Tournament of Champions March 25-29 CSI**/W

Budweiser American Invitational March 29 in Raymond James Stadium

Tickets for Winter Equestrian Festival at Tampa Fairgrounds are Wednesday through Friday $5. Children under 12 years are free. Saturday and Sunday Adult tickets are $10. Seniors and Students are $5 all days. For schedule, directions and information visit www.stadiumjumping.com.

Tickets for the Budweiser American Invitational, March 29 at Raymond James Stadium are available at Ticket Master (813) 287-8844 or at Stadium Jumping (877) 909-9436.