WELLINGTON, FL – October 28, 2003 – “I couldn’t wait to get there last year and this year they’ve added another class worth $100,000 so we’re doubly excited to come to Wellington,” said Aaron Vale, of Camden, South Carolina, who currently holds the record for the most Grand Prix wins in a single year. So far in 2003, Vale has won 16 Grand Prix classes and he’s aiming to add two more wins to his streak at the upcoming National Horse Show Outdoor Championships in Wellington, FL.

Scheduled for November 26-30 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club show grounds, the National Horse Show features two $100,000 Grand Prix classes – the National Horse Show Jumper Championship CSI-W presented by Lexus on Friday, November 28; and the Chesapeake Petroleum AGA Championship CSI, the final event of the American Grand Prix Association Series of Show Jumping, on Sunday, November 30.

Vale competed at the first National Horse Show held at the outdoor venue in Wellington last year and racked up several good ribbons, including a win in the $25,000 Welcome Stake aboard his Nonix Le Parc. This year, Vale’s Florida-bound string includes his latest star performer, Picasso. Vale imported the 11-year-old German gelding in January and has been taking victory laps with him ever since. Picasso won the $150,000 Grand Prix at Upperville, VA; the $100,000 USGPL Grand Prix Final at Culpeper, VA; and the $100,000 President’s Cup at the Washington International Horse Show in Washington, DC.

Vale intends to compete Picasso in both $100,000 classes at the National Horse Show. “He’ll have nearly four weeks off before then so hopefully he’ll be plenty fresh and be able to handle two big classes when we’re down there,” Vale said. Town Creek Investments owns Picasso.

To qualify for the $100,000 NHS Jumper Championship, riders will compete in The Palm Beach Post National Welcome Qualifying Stake CSI on Wednesday, November 26. The qualifier is a $25,000 class; the show also offers a $25,000 National Speed Stake on Friday, November 28, and a $10,000 Speed Stake on Saturday, November 29. “It’s great that they can offer that kind of prize money for us,” said Vale, who not only believes he’s got the horse for the Grand Prixes, but also for the two speed classes. “I’ve got Nonix Le Parc who’s been successful in some Grand Prixes the last few years, and My Fair Lady. She’s a young horse, but naturally she’s a little bit of a quick horse, so hopefully we’ll have some contenders for those other classes.” My Fair Lady, an eight-year-old mare owned by Alison Register recently won the $25,000 International Open Jumper class at Washington.

Vale has competed at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club show grounds during the Winter Equestrian Festival as well as the National Horse Show and is enthusiastic about the venue. “The ring last year – the grass was perfectly green, it looked super. And it’s kind of nice to get down there with 400 or 500 horses rather than 3,500 horses. You really get to enjoy the horses and it’s a great ring to ride in, so I think it’s a great way to finish off the year. I can’t wait to get there.”

Tickets

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.

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