WELLINGTON, FL - January 26, 2004 - Spectators at the 32nd annual Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida, will enjoy 30 minutes of topnotch musical performances as well as two spectacular renditions of the National Anthem prior to the Grand Prix events on February 1 and 8 when members of the Wellington High School Band perform. The 20-member Pep Band will execute their special repertoire on February 1 prior to the $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach, presented by Western Hay, CSI**. On February 8, the 23-member Jazz Band will play for a half-hour prior to the $50,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup, CSI***.

The Wellington High School Band will also hold a fundraiser at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club show grounds on February 8 to help enable the Marching Band to participate in the National World War II Veteran's Memorial Dedication Parade in Washington, DC, on Memorial Day 2004. The group is one of the top marching bands in the US, and is one of only 40 bands selected from across the national to participate in the parade in Washington, DC. Band members and their families raise over $70,000 annually to supply the group with music, instruments, uniforms, buses and all other expenses incurred, plus the program receives approximately $5,000 from Palm Beach County, but the budget is insufficient to fund the trip to Washington, DC, which will cost $200,000. Currently, the band has raised $35,000 for the trip. The band is seeking financial support from community, county, and business leaders. To aid the band's fundraising efforts, Stadium Jumping, Inc. has donated the use of the Special Events Pavilion at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club show grounds on February 8 for their fundraiser.

Tables of six are available for donations of $250, which includes admission to the show grounds, luncheon, and prime seating to view the $50,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup, CSI*** Grand Prix. The band's Parent Association headed up by Fundraising Director Peggy Candreva, has arranged for a silent auction, as well as vendors offering unique items for sale, with part of their proceeds going to the band. Plus, Braman Motorcars has donated a two-year lease on a 2004 Mini Cooper for a raffle. Raffle tickets priced at $10 each will be on sale. The drawing for the raffle will be held on February 15 at Denim & Diamonds, the gala that benefits The United States Equestrian Team Federation and the team's efforts for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Denim & Diamonds starts at 6:30 pm at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The Wellington High School Band is comprised of approximately 180 students in grades 9-12. For 10 consecutive years this band has been awarded a superior rating at the Florida Bandmaster's District Marching Assessment and in 2003 they received the Sweepstakes Award, Adjudicator's Award and Most Outstanding Band Award at the Heritage Music Festival in Chicago, Illinois. The majorettes have won a national championship, and the color guard has also won various awards. The band is under the direction of Mary Oser, who is in her 13th year at Wellington High School. During her tenure, the program has grown from 60 students to its current number, and includes three concert bands, a jazz band, two auxiliary units, and numerous small ensembles.

Donations, tickets, and raffle requests can be mailed to: Peggy S. Candreva, Fundraising Director, 15505 Meadow Wood Drive, Wellington, FL 33414. Make checks payable to: Wellington High School Band. Donations can also be made at any Fidelity Federal Savings Bank in Palm Beach County. All donations are tax deductible. For more information, contact Ms. Candreva at 561-707-4550 or Candreva5@aol.com or visit the Wellington High School website at www.whsband.com and www.palmbeachk12flus/wellingtonhs. You may also call (561) 792-5151 or email to Gettingtodc@adelphia.net.

2004 WEF SCHEDULE OF COMPETITIONS
January 28 - February 1 Nutrena/Western Hay Wellington Classic CSI***
February 4 - 8 Bayer/USET Gold Coast Jumper Classic CSI***
February 5 - 8 Wellington Dressage (Qualifier for Olympic Selection Trials)
February 11 - 15 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale CSI***
February 18 - 22 Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular CSI-W/Y CSI-Ch
February 19 - 22 Zada Enterprises, LLC Florida Dressage Classic
February 25 - 29 PDP Capital Wellington Masters CSI***
March 3 - 7 CN Wellington Open CSI-W
March 10 - 14 CSIO United States Cosequin Finale CSIO***
March 18 - 21 Zada Enterprises WEF Dressage Classic CDI***/Y
(Qualifier for Olympic Selection Trials)
March 24 - 28 Tampa Bay Classic CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)
March 30 - April 3 Tournament of Champions CSI-W (Bob Thomas Equestrian Center)
April 3 Budweiser American Invitational (Raymond James Stadium)

2004 WEF MILLION DOLLAR GRAND PRIX SERIES
February 1 $35,000 Farr XTN Grand Prix of Palm Beach, presented by Western Hay, CSI**
February 8 $50,000 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup, CSI***
February 15 $50,000 Kilkenny/ICH Internationale Cup, CSI***
February 22 $60,000 Idle Dice Classic, presented by Palm Beach Post, CSI-W
February 29 $75,000 PDP Capital Masters Cup, CSI***
March 7 $75,000 CN Wellington Open presented by Estates of Wellington Green, CDI-W
March 12 $50,000 Samsung Nations' Cup, presented by CN, CSIO****
March 14 $100,000 Cosequin U.S. Open Jumper Championship, CSIO****
March 28 $75,000 Grand Prix of Tampa, presented by Kilkenny/ICH, CSI-W
April 3 $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational, presented by The Tampa Tribune

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