Wellington, FL – September 28, 2010 – Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP), the management company for the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, is pleased to announce the schedule for major competitions during the 2011 circuit. The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) will run for 12 weeks, from January 12-April 3.
One of the changes for next year’s circuit is during week six of WEF, where there will be a split of the WCHR Hunter Classic (formerly the AHJF Hunter Classic Spectacular of Palm Beach), into two classics. The first, to be held at night under the lights on Friday, February 18, will be a WCHR Hunter Classic for professional riders. The juniors and amateurs will have their own WCHR Hunter Classic on Sunday evening, February 20. Qualifying classes for the hunter classics will be during Weeks 5 and 6, so that all exhibitors will have a greater chance to compete in the night classes.
This split will help keep the classes manageable at night, and riders will compete for a better opportunity for prize money. The decision was aided by talks with top hunter riders and trainers, including Geoff Teall and Louise Serio.
“The riders and trainers were extremely helpful in making this decision,” said ESP President Michael Stone. “We think this will be a great opportunity to highlight the hunters on two nights and will be a way to keep the classes interesting and fun for exhibitors and spectators.”
The Great Charity Challenge, which raised $560,000 for charities last year in its inaugural outing, will be the featured “Saturday Night Lights” event during week six, held on Saturday, February 19.
Below is the tentative schedule for other major events during the 12-week WEF circuit:
Week 1: January 12-16 – $30,000 Speed Derby
Week 2: January 19-23 – $50,000 Grand Prix, CSI 2*
Week 3: January 26-30 – $60,000 Grand Prix, CSI 2*
Week 4: February 2-6 – $55,000 Battle of the Sexes, $75,000 Grand Prix, CSI 2*
** Week 5: February 9-13 – $150,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix presented by Spy Coast Farms, $15,000 Young Riders Grand Prix, Qualifiers for WCHR Classics held during WEF 6, WEF Collegiate Equitation Challenge
Week 6: February 16-20 – WCHR Professional Hunter Classic, WCHR Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic, Second Annual Great Charity Challenge, $50,000 G&C Farm Palm Beach Jumping Derby at The Stadium
Week 7: February 23-27 – $75,000 Grand Prix, CSI 2*
Week 8: March 2-6 – CSIO Week, $35,000 Puissance, $75,000 FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm, $150,000 Grand Prix, CSIO 4*
** Week 9: March 9-13 – $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix, $20,000 Young Rider Team Competition
** Week 10: March 16-20- $75,000 Grand Prix, CSI 2* at The Stadium, Match Races, $15,000 Young Rider Grand Prix (European Youth Cup qualifier), George Morris Excellence in Equitation Exhibition
** Week 11: March 23-27 – $500,000 FTI Consulting Finale Grand Prix, CSI 5*
** Week 12: March 30-April 3 – $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, $60,000 Adequan Young Jumper Championship Classics, $20,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Zone Team Competition
More on the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, including sponsor information, prize list announcements, and other exciting news will be announced throughout the summer.
Please visit www.equestriansport.com for more information!
** Pending USEF final approvals
The 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival has 12 weeks of top competition running from January 12 through April 3. WEF is run by Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, and Wellington Equestrian Partners and held at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. All 12 shows are “AA” rated and Jumper Rated 6, and more than $5.5 million in prize money will be awarded.
WEF is proud to be supported by their title sponsor, FTI Consulting, Inc. FTI Consulting, Inc. exists to help companies and their stakeholders protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex economic, legal and regulatory environment. FTI is the trusted advisor entrenched in many of the game-changing events that make headlines, move markets and create business history. For more information, please visit www.fticonsulting.com.
Please visit www.equestriansport.com or call 561-793-5867 for more information.