Dining, Dancing, and Jumping Under the Stars at the at the 121st National Horse Show

Wellington, FL – December 4, 2004 - Parties captured the attention of exhibitors, officials, sponsors, and local dignitaries every evening of the 121st National Horse Show & Family Festival, November 30 through December 5, in Wellington, Florida, but the party of all parties was on Friday evening, December 3, with “Jumping Under the Stars”.

By day, America’s top riders vied for national honors in hunter, jumper, and dressage competitions. By night, in homage to the century-old custom of celebrating the competition with nightly festivities, the National Horse Show hosted a luxurious Black Tie Gala in the Diamond Horseshoe Club overlooking the Internationale Arena.

The elite of the equestrian world, donning tuxedos and top hats, diamonds and pearls, brought back the elegance of the National Horse Show when it was held in Madison Square Garden. Dining under chandeliers, with the décor laden with the traditional orange and black color scheme of the National Horse Show, the 450 guests enjoyed a three-course gourmet dinner menu served by the attentive staff of Ken Rose Catering and featuring an entrée of roasted Rock Cornish Game Hen.

Dinner guests and the capacity crowds swelled in excitement as they watched the featured event, the $100,000 Lexus National Horse Show Jumper Championship, CSI-W Presented By Chesapeake Petroleum, a World Cup qualifying class with a field of 29 competitors. Mastering the win was Athens Olympic Team Silver Medallist McLain Ward, 29, of Brewster, NY, aboard Quick Star II Z owned by Double H Farm. Georgina Bloomberg, 21, of New York, NY, riding Riviera owned by Gotham Enterprizes, placed second, with third place going to Alison Firestone, on Casanova, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone.

But, if that wasn’t enough, the best was yet to come. Honorary Co-Chairs Mason Phelps and Robert Dover, along with Event Chairs Whitney and Dana Tower, Cornelia Guest, Victoria McCullough captured the magic, frenzy and theatrical feel of the most famous nightspot in the world, Studio 54, with a post-dinner bash. The event, to benefit The Equestrian Aids Foundation, which provides financial support to individuals in the equestrian community afflicted with HIV or AIDS, was attended by over 600 guests.

Studio 54 regulars Susie Humes, Mason Phelps, Whitney Tower, and Kim Tudor agree, “everything you’ve ever heard about Studio 54 is true.” While it only lasted for less than three years, when Studio 54 opened its doors for the first time on April 26, 1977, by owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, overnight it became the hottest disco on earth. To many, it personified the ’70’s lifestyle of music, money and glamour, often described as outrageous, carefree, and at times indulgent.

The name Studio 54 came from an earlier occupant of the building; the building was home to CBS starting in 1943, where many famous shows were broadcast, including the Johnnie Carson Show, Beat the Clock, What’s My Line and the $64,000 Question. Well known for many unforgettable parties, one of the most infamous was for Bianca Jagger’s 30th birthday at which Bianca rode in on a white horse. Rubell often manned the door to insure the best mix of guests, which he called "tossing the perfect salad."

Robert Dover, seven-time Olympian and Bronze Medallist, and President of The Equestrian Aids Foundation “tossed the salad” perfectly faithfully guarding the velvet rope. Only those carrying their Gold Card gained access to the Special Events Pavilion, which had been transformed reminiscent of the original Studio 54.

Guests came clad in their tuxedos and ball gowns from the dinner, Grand Prix riders came straight from their competition clad in their “Pinques”, but hundreds more attended blue jean clad fit and ready to dance the night away.

Bruce Sutka of Sutka Productions International, Inc. made magic with his décor. Donned with a dance floor that extended 70 feet, and dressed from above with the famous Studio 54 Moon, the atmosphere came alive with the music of the Bee Gees’ Saturday Night Fever, the Pointer Sisters’, Let’s Get Excited, Abba’s Dancing Queen, and other favorites, performed by D.J. Kenny Mondo Productions.

Guests taking respite from dancing and the few, unsure of venturing onto the dance floor, lounged on the lush black sofas adorned with sparkling black and white pillows with black cylindrical lighted coffee tables and cabaret tables that encircled the dance floor or ventured into the VIP Room. Many more guests clustered together on the 2nd tier with friends. Overhead, an array of stars created by light sheltered the crowds from which dropped mirrored sparkling balls reflecting off roving multicolored spotlights.

Among the Horse Show Personalities attending were Nona Garson, Roberto Teran, Ken Berkley, Jeff Wirthman, Gene Mische, Tim Bolton, Kim Tudor, Susie Humes, Jennifer Oz Leroy, Judy Garofalo, Laura Kraut, Lauren Hough, Schuyler Riley, McLain Ward with Erin Stewart and dad, Don.

“It was a real blast from the past”, said Kim Tudor. Susie Humes added, “No matter how tired I am or how many hours I put in that day, I never miss a party by Mason. He never disappoints you. They are always fabulous”. That is was – the finest in showing jumping competition, the elegance of past National Horse Shows, and the wild and wonderful fun of a fine group of people who work hard, ride hard, and play with style.