WELLINGTON, FL- February 25, 1998

Ladies and gentlemen, and children of all ages, were welcomed to the greatest show on earth-the 10th annual Denim & Diamonds Benefit fundraiser for the United States Equestrian Team and Equestrian Aids Foundation, February 22 in Wellington, FL. Almost 1,500 guests thoroughly enjoyed the party's newest theme, "Under The Big Top" and the energetic music of the award-winning David Clayton-Thomas and Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Under the guidance of Chairman Beverly L. Wilkes, the entire affair was a roaring success. She was ably aided by General Chairmen Mason Phelps Jr., Ronnie Beard and Robert Dover in the most entertaining gala of the equestrian and Palm Beach social season.

The circus theme featured a popular carousel, a huge slide, carnival games and a dunk tank, where party goers took turns throwing balls at a target to dunk show jumping champion McLain Ward in a water tank. These riders and games combined with "Circus USET" to add a festive ambiance to the affair. "Circus USET" featured aerial artists, a fire-eater, stiltwalkers, jugglers, clowns and the stars of the show, a trio of elephants. Guests entered through a mist-filled hall of magical mirrors.

The high point of the night came when USET show jumpers Katie Monahan Prudent, Leslie Burr Howard, Anne Kursinski and Margie Goldstein-Engle rode onto center stage on the back of an elephant. They were then auctioned off to raise money for the USET's Developing Rider programs. These four riders, along with Olympic dressage rider Robert Dover and world-renowned trainer/coach George Morris, helped raise $96,000 in the auction, all of which went directly to the USET Developing Rider programs. In all, Denim and Diamonds and the rider auction contributed more than $200,000 to the USET and its Developing Rider programs.

In the silent auction, a pair of Rolls Royces, donated by Sohail Quereshi of Wellington, were successfully auctioned off-a 1981 Corniche convertible with 13,000 miles for $65,000 and a specially made 1983 2-door Corniche with 4,000 miles for $61,000.

A who's who of the equestrian industry attended the party, including the aforementioned riders and other USET stars such as Michael Matz, Bruce Miller, Ellin Dixon Miller, Todd Minikus, Alison Firestone, Eric Hasbrouck, Debbie Stephens, Laura Chapot, Laura Kraut and Peter Wylde. USET President D.D. Matz, USET Executive Vice President Jane Forbes Clark, six-time Olympic show jumper Frank Chapot and Stadium Jumping President Gene Mische were among the equestrian executives in attendance.

Corporate sponsorship involved with Denim & Diamonds included Ethel M Chocolates, EMO Insurance, Broward RV, The Colony Hotel and Stadium Jumping, Inc.