WELLINGTON, FL -- FEBRUARY 2, 2002 -Germany's Meredith Michaels Beerbaum captured the $10,000 Gold Coast 1.50m Classic with her bright bay Rhinelander mare, PERINA during the Bayer/USET Gold Coast Classic at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington. From a field of 49 starters, only 3 horse and rider combinations turned in double clear rounds over the course designed by Guilherme Nogueira-Jorge of Brazil.

Beerbaum and PERINA, who placed third in last year's class, seized first place with the fastest time of just 38.881 seconds, edging out Lauren Hough of Ocala, FL aboard her 10 year-old chestnut Holsteiner gelding WINDY CITY whose jump-off time was 39.937 seconds.

Third place went to Wellington's own Norman Dello Joio up on the 16.1 hands brown gelding QURIELL owned by Dello Joio and The Quriell Group with their time of 41.392 seconds.

Game time is 2:00 PM for the start of Sunday's featured event - the $50,00 Bayer/USET Wellington Cup - CSI-A, presented by Fleet that will be televised on Outdoor Life. A competition not to be missed, Florida's own Todd Minikus will be competing,as well as Wellington's own 2000 Olympian, Margie Goldstein-Engle. Tickets are available at the gate: $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, children under 12 admitted free.

Visit www.stadiumjumping.com or call 561.793.5867 for more information.