Wellington, FL – September 29, 2010 – Horses living in the Wellington area or competing in the prestigious FTI Winter Equestrian Festival will now be able to receive treatment from the world-class Sanctuary Equine Sports Conditioning and Performance Center thanks to a new Sanctuary facility that is opening on the show grounds of the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida. The new Sanctuary at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) will be open for the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival.

“For the past three years, we have been interested in creating a world-class conditioning and performance enhancement facility to complement our world-class competition and venue,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions. “The Sanctuary is a great partner for us and we hope this facility will offer a great opportunity for preventative maintenance and performance conditioning for the equine athlete.”

Brenda McDuffee, General Manager of The Sanctuary, stated, “There is an exceptional level of high performance horses that live and compete in Wellington and opening a Sanctuary facility is on par with what owners, trainers and competitors need and expect for their horses. It will be a meeting of a world-class therapy and performance conditioning center with a world-class show area. Our main facility is located in Ocala, but we are looking forward to expanding into Wellington. The Sanctuary in Ocala features some of the most advanced conditioning and therapy equipment in the world, and we will have that same equipment in Wellington.”

The Sanctuary will be an exciting addition to PBIEC, said Michael Stone, President of Equestrian Sport Productions. He detailed, “We are constantly trying to improve our facility and keep it at the best standards in the world. A center like The Sanctuary is an incredible addition to our quest to have the PBIEC at the forefront of equestrian competition venues.”

McDuffee said that the Sanctuary at PBIEC will be a full horse therapy and conditioning center featuring above ground water treadmills, Cold Saltwater Leg Spas, two vibration plates with solarium, laser therapy, electromagnetic pulse therapy and a respiratory machine. “The laser therapy, electromagnetic pulse therapy and respiratory machine are all mobile therapy equipment which means the Sanctuary staff will be able to take the equipment out on a golf cart and treat horses in their stalls if they are stabled on the show grounds,” she explained.

The Sanctuary at PBIEC will be located near the FEI barn and the permanent stabling area on the show grounds. “Many of the horses that will use the Wellington facility will be horses that are focusing on conditioning and maintenance,” McDuffee said. “I know that many trainers and owners will add maintenance at The Sanctuary to their training program as it will give their horses an edge on the competition. Our conditioning programs help horses stay strong and keeps horses less prone to injury.”

Just like the world-class, multi-million dollar facility in Ocala, the Sanctuary at PBIEC will be run by a thoroughly skilled, trained and knowledgeable Sanctuary staff who have a passion for horses and the desire to see each horse performing at the top of their game. “We treat equines from every discipline and we are dedicated to the healing, conditioning and well-being of all equine athletes,” McDuffee said.

In December, there will be a series of promotions for horses that arrive early to Wellington and/or the PBIEC show grounds and want to take advantage of the services offered at The Sanctuary. More information on these promotions will be announced soon.

For more information on The Sanctuary at PBIEC, visit their website at www.sanctuaryequinerehab.com.

For more information on the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival and the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, please visit www.equestriansport.com.

For more information contact:

Michael Stone
561-793-5867