National Horse Show Returns to Wellington November 26-30, 2003

The National Horse Show, founded in 1883 at the original Madison Square Garden, is America's oldest indoor horse show. With more than a century of history, it's a traditional fixture on national and international sports and social event calendars. This prestigious year-end championship, for the second year, has returned to Wellington for 2003! Organized by The National Horse Show Association of America (The National), the event is a culmination of numerous ancillary events, a National Horse Show Educational Program and Local Day shows. Over its century plus of history, the National has supported worthwhile causes like the Ronald McDonald House, the American Red Cross, the Equestrian AIDS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Team.

History:

The National was founded in1883 in New York by a group of affluent sportsmen. By 1887, the National Horse Show Directory, listing directors and 920 members, formed the basis for Louis Keller's first New York Social Register. The competition was featured regularly in illustrations for Harper's Weekly and other magazines by artists such as Howard Chandler Christy and Charles Dana Gibson.

In 1909, Alfred G. Vanderbilt, then president of the National Horse Show, made the show international by inviting British Cavalry officers to compete. Eleanora R. Sears became the first woman to ride astride at the National Horse Show, in 1915. (Prior to that, women rode side-saddle.) That same year, the show became an American military competition, until 1925. Notable competitors included Generals John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, William Billy Mitchell and George S. Patton. In 1926, the show moved to the third Madison Square Garden located on Eighth Avenue at 50th Street. Garden III would witness 40 years of National history and the show's continuing evolution.

By 1942, the National Horse Show had reached such importance that even as America entered World War II, an abbreviated show was still held. The competition moved to the present Madison Square Garden on 34th Street at Pennsylvania Station in 1968. It celebrated its centennial in 1983 with a Carriage Marathon for over 100 horse-drawn vehicles through Central Park and down Fifth Avenue to City Hall. In 1989, it moved to New Jersey's Meadowlands Arena. Newer, larger facilities led to an expansion of show division offerings. Pony hunters competed again, after an absence of 27 years, and new classes like celebrity cutting, lead line, and local classes for horses stabled within 100 miles were added.

In 1996, the competition returned to its century-old home at Madison Square Garden, and the famous racehorse, Cigar, with earnings of almost $10 million, had his formal retirement ceremony there. An Equine Extravaganza was held at Rockefeller Plaza in 1997, in recognition of The National Horse Show's 114th year.

In 2002, the show moved to Wellington, Florida.  The event had astounding success and will be returning in 2003 with the 120th National Horse Show Outdoor Championships.

Venue:

The National Horse Show will be held at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, the most recognizable equestrian sporting venue in America. More than 50,000 spectators are expected to attend the six-day series of events at this outdoor multi-ring facility.

Format:

The 120th show will run November 26-30, 2003, and will feature the prestigious $100,000 National Grand Prix and it will happen under the lights at the Friday evening event. Held over Thanksgiving, the show takes advantage of junior riders being out of school for the holiday weekend. Another great addition to the National Horse Show will be the $100,000 AGA Championships on Sunday afternoon, which will bring another level of competition to the show. Organizers are continuing to establish the show as a Thanksgiving tradition, with just a couple of classes Thanksgiving morning before participants return home to enjoy their families.

Audience:

The competition offers multiple days of exposure to a wide audience of both local and out-of-town spectators and international visitors.  Because people of all ages and walks of life enjoy the show, spectators represent a cross section of the overall population. 

Competition:

The Show is pure athletic competition of the highest order. Horses and riders are the most accomplished and spectacular in their field, and therefore create a competition of the highest level.

About Stadium Jumping:

According to Eugene R. Mische, president of Stadium Jumping and National Horse Show chairman, the move to Wellington has benefited the show beyond our dreams: "We thought that it might be a great event to have in Wellington because of the greatness of our facility and the community support that we receive, but the success well exceeded our expectations.  Where Madison Square Gardens could only accommodate 200 horse, we had over 400 participate in the National Horse Show last year and are expecting even more this year."

For More Information:

To join in the National Horse Competition or to be a part of the six-day festival, contact Caren Hunter or Steve Prescott at Stadium Jumping, Inc. 561-793-5867.

Back to Press Release Archive