Wellington, FL--December 14,1998--World class equestrian action begins in 1999 with the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida, January 27-April 10. The top riders and horses in the world, including Olympic veterans, will meet to crown new champions and greet new stars. The excitement starts at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, then moves on to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa and finishes at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.

The Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival is presented by the nation's premier producer of hunter, jumper, and dressage shows, the Tampa-based Stadium Jumping, Inc. Stadium Jumping has brought together the finest equestrian facilities, judges, and support staff for an unforgettable series of shows.

"We try to make the shows fun and exciting for everyone, including the riders, spectators, staff, and horses," said Gene Mische, President of Stadium Jumping. "Every detail from the footing to the jumps is scrutinized. The quality and elegance of these shows is unmatched in North America."

The Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival offers excitement for the whole. The action never stops as high-flying Olympic riders and rising stars ride every Wednesday through Sunday starting at 8:00 am. The interesting boutiques, distinctive Festival Gift Shops, and food courts with everything from hamburgers to gourmet food, complete the perfect family outing.

The shows kick-off in Wellington at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club with the Palm Beach Classic, January 27-31. Following weekly are the Budweiser/AGA Jumping Championships and Wellington Dressage (February 3-7), Kilkenny-Redland Internationale (February 10-14), The Bayer/USET Florida Classic presented by Fleet Financial Group and WCHRA Spectacular (February 17-21), Florida Dressage Classic (February 18-21), Cosequin Palm Beach Masters (February 24-28), Palm Beach Open (March 3-7), Lyte Now Palm Beach Finale (March 10-14), and WEF Dressage Classic (March 17-21).

Action then gallops off to the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center in Tampa for the March 24 - 28 Tampa Bay Classic, followed by the Tournament of Champions (March 31-April 4), and culminating with the Ariat WEF Spectacular (April 5-10). The final show, the Budweiser American Invitational, the nation's premier show jumping competition, takes place in Tampa's glamorous Raymond James Stadium on April 10.

One of the most eagerly awaited showdowns in show jumping will take place at the Budweiser/AGA Jumping Championships, February 3 - 7 at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. The $215,000 Budweiser/AGA Championship, is the final competition of the 1998 Budweiser/AGA Grand Prix Series of Show Jumping. Currently, there is a tight race for the Budweiser/AGA Rider of the Year between leader McLain Ward of Brewster, NY, and five-time Rider of the Year Margie Goldstein-Engle of Wellington, FL. This final competition will decide the winner for the Budweiser/AGA Rider of the Year award.

In the Budweiser/AGA Horse of the Year award competition, McLain Ward's mount, Twist du Valon, owned by Ward and Harry R. Gill, has earned an impressive $70,200 and holds a substantial lead over Robinson and Richard Spooner ($49,431) and Hidden Creek's Glory with Margie Goldstein-Engle ($43,450). In order for "Twist" to lose his commanding lead, one of his two closest challengers would need to win the grand finale, the $100,000 Budweiser/AGA National Jumper Grandprix, and he couldn't place in the top 10.

"I'm lucky to be sitting on such a gifted athlete," said Ward after their victory in the prestigious $100,000 Budweiser American Invitational last April. "He's the Michael Jordan of show jumping."

Over $2.65 million will be awarded over the ten week series to jumper, hunter, and dressage riders. The $913,000 Open Jumper Series will feature the top international riders vying for the Inaugural Cup, Kilkenny-Redland Internationale Cup, Bayer/USET Wellington Cup presented by Fleet Financial Group, Cosequin Grand Prix of Palm Beach CSI-W presented by Broward RV, Florida Open, Lyte Now Gold Coast Grand Prix CSI-W, Grand Prix of Tampa CSI-W, Grand Prix of Florida CSI-W presented by Kilkenny-Redland, and the Budweiser American Invitational presented by Tampa Tribune. Many United States Equestrian Team (USET) riders and other international team veterans will be showcased in this series.

Young jumper riders from across North America and the world will also have an opportunity to shine in the $150,000 BET on Jazz Junior Jumper Series featuring the Junior American Invitational, and five Junior Jumper Grand Prix. BET on Jazz has been a strong force in supporting and recognizing rising young talent in the show jumping world.

Elegant hunter riders will perform in the $25,000 AHJF Hunter Classic of Palm Beach and $10,000 Kilkenny-Redland Tampa Bay Hunter Classic. The $15,000 International Team Competition for the United States Equestrian Team's Developing Rider Program will bring together talented young riders between 16-21 years old. Teams of four will contest challenging jumper courses in three rounds over two days.

Another interesting team competition brings together jumper and dressage riders. The $25,000 Dressage/Show Jumping Team Spectacular consists of two rider teams with one dressage rider and one jumper rider. These duos pair up and coach one another in each others' sport. The team with the best combined score wins this fun and unusual competition.

Robert Dover, two-time USET Olympic Bronze Medalist, looks forward to dressage returning to the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. Dover stated, "These three world-class dressage shows feature the brightest stars in North America, and provide a training ground for future Olympic and World Equestrian Games success. Everyone looks forward to showing here!"

Dressage riders will perform their precise moves during Wellington Dressage, Florida Dressage Classic, and WEF Dressage Classic-CDI, in Wellington. These dressage shows will include selection qualifiers for the 1999 Pan American Games, USDF North American Young Riders' Championships and USET Intermediaire I and Grand Prix Dressage Championships.

The top highlight of the entire Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival is the nation's premier show jumping event, the Budweiser American Invitational, April 10 at Raymond James Stadium. Last years' winner, McLain Ward on Twist du Valon, is sure to return to defend the title. He will be up against stiff competition from his chief rival, Margie Goldstein-Engle, as well as other luminaries in the sport of show jumping.

For more information on the Cosequin Winter Equestrian Festival and all the exciting events and activities, please call Stadium Jumping, Inc. in Tampa at (800) 237-8924 or in Wellington at (561) 793-JUMP.