Wellington, Florida -- February 6, 2003 -- Where can you find over 60 shops, all in one location, with a variety of merchandise in all price ranges? Interested in dazzling jewelry, bejeweled sandals and belt buckles, custom portraiture and bronzes, fine furnishings, Lilly Pulitzer sportswear, hip sunglasses, feather boas, custom-made shoes? Or maybe your taste runs to straw hats, equestrian-themed jewelry and bric-a-brac, denim clothing, children’s toys and baseball caps. For the equestrian or equestrian wannabe, perhaps you’d like to shop for the finest saddles, bridles, custom-made boots, riding apparel and accessories offered anywhere in the world.

The place: The 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival now going on at The Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club on Pierson Road in Wellington from Wednesdays to Sundays through March 9, 2003.

And with all that shopping, what happens when you get hungry? No problem. Take your pick of hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, salads, Chinese food, Mexican food, protein shakes, beer, wine, unique coffees, ice cream sundaes and much, much more.

Entertainment while eating or between shopping stops? Well, at any given time there are eight rings filled with the finest horses and riders in the world competing in the disciplines of hunter, jumper, equitation and dressage. Just pull up a spot on the grass or find a space in the many bleachers surrounding the rings--- there’s plenty of room for every member of the family.

But let’s get back to shopping……

· Visit The Romantic Room for Lilly Pulitzer, La Coste, Govango, Zalo shoes, hats, headbands -- all very Palm Beach preppy stuff

· Visit Blue for Miss Trish of Capri bejeweled sandals, beaded shirts, hand-knit sweaters, one-of-a-kind items --- all in a chic storefront designed by Joanie Goodman of Palm Beach

· Visit Idlewild Stables in their authentic Balinese cottage for Indonesian, Burmese, South African and Balinese teak furniture, artifacts, beaded pillows and jewelry

· Visit Gracie Interiors for the latest in country furnishings, painted furniture and eclectic collectibles

· Visit Alvin Block for oil and water color portraits

· Visit Zest of the West for one-of-a-kind metal-decorated belts; on the high end, see the belt buckles of turquoise, Swaroski crystal, gemstone and bone which can be coupled with the hand-tooled leather, lizard, alligator and cowhide-embossed belts

· Visit Regal Crowne for the finest in custom-made hunt caps, dress and paddock boots, riding jackets and shirts

· Visit B. J.’s Hunt Room and Horse and Hound for the best in equestrian furnishings, antiques and bric-a-brac

· Visit Golden Horse Jewelry, VanderMoore Designs and Fox Run Ltd. for the best in fine jewelry, many with the equestrian touch using bits, stirrups and other horsey items

· Visit Vogel and Der Dau for great custom-made riding boots

· Visit Eyes of Wellington for the latest sunglasses

· Visit Hadfield’s, Beval’s, Hermes and Hubbard’s for all horse and rider needs

· And, finally, you need a feather boa and don’t know where to go - visit Sequoia Springs.

Tickets to the Winter Equestrian Festival are available by phone at 793-JUMP or at the gate. Admission is free on Wednesdays. Children 12 & under are free all days. Senior admission is $5 every day. Adult admission is $5 on Thursday and Friday, $10 on Saturday, and $15 on Sunday. Parking is free.

Winter Equestrian Festival Dates:

(Each week runs Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 8:00 AM)

Kilkenny/ICH Internationale – February 5 – 9

Florida Classic/WCHR Spectacular – February 12 – 16

Florida Dressage Classic –February 13 - 16

Zada Enterprises, LLC Wellington Masters – February 19 – 23

Tommy Bahama Palm Beach Open – February 26 – March 2

Cosequin Wellington Finale – March 5 – 9

Zada Enterprises, LLC WEF Dressage Classic – March 13 – 16