Wellington, FL – March 1, 2003 – Three weeks of the Winter Equestrian Festival thus far have offered equitation classes. Equitation judges the rider’s skills and mastery of the basics of riding. The Washington International Horse Show Equitation Classic contains two phases: a Hunter Phase, and a Jumper Phase. Michael Morrissey has had an impressive record during this Festival and in the WIHS Equitation Classic, this week he won the overall high score.

Last week he won overall high score in the WIHS Equitation Classic and during week 3 he won the class. The only other week the class was offered was the first week of showing, and Michael won the Jumper Phase and was third overall. A very consistent performance by Michael right at the top.

In addition, Michael has been very successful and impressive in the other equitation classes including:

Week 1, Nutrena - 2nd in USA Equestrian Hunt Seat Medal, 2nd in the BET/USET Talent Search, 6th in the ASPCA Maclay medal

Week 2, Bayer - no equitation offered

Week 3, Kilkenny - 2nd BET/USET Talent Search, 3rd in the ASPCA Maclay, 4th in the USA Medal

Week 4, Hunter Week - no equitation offered

Week 5, Zada - 1st in the BET/USET Talent Search, 2nd in the ASPCA Maclay

This Week, Tommy Week – 1st in the BET/USET Talent Search, the Medal and Maclay will be held on Sunday.

The $20,000 1.5 m Classic was the feature class in the Internationale Arena today and consisted of a large field of 55 competitors. Eighteen of those were clear in the first round and came back in the jump-off to race against the clock.

Royal Discovery and Markus Beerbaum were third to return in the jump-off and produced a clear round in a very fast time of 34.191 seconds. This lead held throughout the class until the very last horse to compete beat his time.

McLain Ward riding his own horse, Galant, went clear in a time of 33.459 seconds to win the class. Galant is a chestnut warmblood gelding from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Bertram R. Firestone own Royal Discovery. Millcreek’s Raphael with Eric Lamaze riding was third.

Tani Zeidler Anderson performed a one-two punch today in the $15,000 High Amateur-Owner Jumpers. Tani rode Illusion to the win and she rode Van Holland to second place.

Shadowfax with Wendy Dixon riding won Amateur Adult Jumpers 36 and over. In the Amateur Adult Jumpers 18-35, Pashmina won with Pamela Suskind riding.

Photos available upon request. Results attached. All results are posted at www. Stadiumjumping.com.

This is a compilation of news articles relating to the Winter Equestrian Festival. For more information, please contact Mason Phelps, Jr. or Beverly Lake Wilkes at (561) 753-3389.